By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Friday, March 11, 2011
PORT CHARLOTTE — RHP Jeremy Hellickson admitted he was "very anxious" before making his long-awaited spring debut Friday against the Pirates.
"It's been a long time," he said.
It didn't show. Hellickson, 23, sidelined earlier in camp with hamstring tightness, was very sharp in retiring the side in the fifth inning in just 10 pitches, including one strikeout. Both he and manager Joe Maddon were pleased with how he felt — and pitched — and are confident he'll be ready to begin the season as the Rays fifth starter.
That's when Hellickson hopes to carry his success over his four big-league starts last season (3-0, 2.05 ERA) over a full season.
"That's the plan," he said, smiling. "I hope I can do that."
Hellickson, who will next pitch two to three innings Tuesday, appreciates the opportunity, stepping into the rotation following the offseason trade of RHP Matt Garza to the Cubs. But Hellickson pointed out, he's not going to immediately replace Garza, the 2008 ALCS MVP who won 15 games last year and threw the club's first no-hitter.
"I'm not going to step in and do what Garza's done the last few years," he said. "But I guess it's nice to know they have confidence in me."
Maddon knows Hellickson could have some growing pains in his first full big-league season, like RHP Jeff Niemann and Wade Davis did, but will rise above.
"He may not nail it like everyone is expecting him to, but as a No. 5 starter, I expect him to be very good at that," Maddon said.
CUT TIME: RHP Matt Bush and LHP Alex Torres, two pitchers with powerful arms, were among eight players reassigned to minor-league camp as the Rays made their first cuts of their spring. The moves leave 54 players in camp. Also reassigned were RHP Brian Baker, RHP Jonah Bayliss, RHP Richard De Los Santos, RHP Ricky Orta, RHP Albert Suarez and OF Brandon Guyer.
Bush, who has overcome alcohol issues, has potential to be a late-inning reliever but as a converted shortstop needs to log innings and experience on the mound, and show he can stay healthy.
"I'm sure they're looking forward to me building up some innings, pitching a few months and seeing how I'm doing then," Bush said. "And if all goes as planned, possibly make it up (to the majors) by then."
Torres, acquired from the Angels in the Scott Kazmir trade, is one of the Rays' promising starting prospects, and was sent down so he can get regular innings in minor-league camp. The players on the 40-man roster will be officially optioned to one of the minor league affiliates later.
GAME DETAILS: The Rays (5-8-1) rallied from five runs down but lost 8-7 to the Pirates, snapping their four-game winning streak in front of 4,513 at Charlotte Sports Park. 2B Sean Rodriguez and C Jose Lobaton each had two hits. DH Manny Ramirez, who hit leadoff, went 0-for-3. RHPs Kyle Farnsworth gave up a two-run homer in the sixth and RHP Adam Russell allowed one run on four hits in one inning to pick up the loss.
WADING IN: RHP Wade Davis struggled with command in Friday's start, allowing four runs on seven hits while walking two, throwing just 28 of his 57 pitches for strikes. But Davis felt good physically — "almost too good," he said — a reason why he was a little off mechanically.
"I was a little erratic, I'm not happy with that," Davis said. "But I'll go out next time and do a little better."
MISCELLANY: RHP James Shields will throw in an intrasquad in Port Charlotte Sunday instead of pitching in Dunedin against the Blue Jays.
Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com.