NEW YORK — If you catch baseball commissioner Rob Manfred with a microphone, he’s all about Tampa Bay as a baseball hotspot. In fact, he made a similar pitch to 26 major league players recently.
During one of his regular visits to teams, Manfred swung by Yankee Stadium to meet with the Rays players in their clubhouse before practice. His message? He’s feeling good about Tampa Bay’s baseball future.
“He seemed positive,” shared Pete Fairbanks, the Rays’ union representative. “A lot of this is just speculation, right? But overall, I’d say his vibe was optimistic.”
Last fall, after a hurricane wreaked havoc on Tropicana Field, Manfred stated that MLB was “committed” to the Tampa Bay fans. He’s stood by that promise, recently urging owner Stuart Sternberg to create a solid plan moving forward because a permanent stay in a rebuilt Tropicana Field isn’t realistic.
“He wants baseball to thrive in this market,” Fairbanks noted. “It seems the league wants to keep a team in the region.”
Fairbanks, who had several questions for Manfred during their chat, kept details under wraps. “My questions weren’t really about park plans or anything like that,” he explained. “I just wanted to make sure all aspects are taken into account.”
J-Lowe’s Rehab Setback
Josh Lowe has hit a speed bump in his recovery. After being sidelined with an oblique injury since the start of the season, he was set to take live batting practice and participate in a Florida Complex League game. Unfortunately, he experienced a back spasm that derailed those plans.
To address the discomfort, he received a trigger point injection aimed at releasing painful knots in his back. The plan is to have him back on his feet in just a couple of days, and thankfully, the spasms are unrelated to his previous injury.
“He got the injection and went home. We’ll see how he feels,” stated manager Kevin Cash. “We were hoping for a better update by Friday, but since that didn’t happen, we went ahead with the injection which should provide quick relief.”
The Littell Turnaround
Zack Littell is back in form after struggling in early April. He’s now boasting a 3.18 ERA with two quality starts in his last three outings.
Interestingly, Littell recorded only eight strikeouts in his last 17 innings. Compare that to the 14 strikeouts he had in his first three starts, where he posted a 6.88 ERA. As a pitcher focused on control, Littell isn’t worried about the lower strikeout rate.
“Of course, the ideal outcome is a swing-and-miss,” Littell commented. “Not allowing the ball to be put in play reduces the risks. I’d love to strike out more guys, but honestly, if I’m taking care of the lineup efficiently, I’m not stressing about it.”
Miscellaneous Updates
Chandler Simpson faced a milestone in his major-league journey, hitting into his first double play this week. He had only six double plays in 994 minor league at-bats!
Rain is on the horizon for Saturday’s game, but the heavy downpour is expected to hold off until later in the day. However, Sunday’s match could see more significant weather issues.
Just a heads up—Jose Caballero was picked off first base in the second inning. It’s not surprising, given that Yankees pitcher Max Fried leads pickoffs since 2017 and Caballero is notorious for being caught this season.
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Conclusion
The Rays are navigating through challenges both on and off the field. With optimism from baseball leadership and players pushing through injuries, Tampa Bay’s baseball future remains bright.
FAQs
Q: What did Rob Manfred say about Tampa Bay’s future?
A: Manfred expressed optimism about the Tampa Bay market and reaffirmed MLB’s commitment to its fans.
Q: How is Josh Lowe’s recovery progressing?
A: Lowe had a setback due to back spasms but received an injection to help alleviate the issue.
Q: What’s the current status of Zack Littell?
A: Littell has improved significantly, maintaining a 3.18 ERA with effective pitching in recent games.
