PORT CHARLOTTE — Manager Kevin Cash said “the most exciting thing” about Friday’s second workout of the spring was seeing Jose Alvarado back on the bullpen mound as he seeks to return to form after a 2019 marred by injury and family issues.
“He had a tough go last year, multiple reasons, injury obviously was part of that,” Cash said. “To see him look healthy, look the part, we all know how electric he can be. And it looks like it’s going in the right direction.”
Alvarado was similarly pleased, saying his elbow felt fine, he was glad to see his teammates and in a good frame of mind after having his parents with him in Florida after getting out of Venezuela.
Among other notable things:
• Right-handers Brooks Pounders and Deck McGuire, who both have big-league time, were signed to minor-league deals with camp invites. That gives the Rays 35 pitchers and 67 players overall.
• Cash said right-hander Joe Ryan, the team’s 2019 minor-league pitcher of the year, and lefty Anthony Banda, who returned last season from Tommy John surgery, both impressed in their bullpen sessions.
• Two-way player Brendan McKay will get some work on his hitting, but Cash said right now “his priority is to get ready to pitch." The Rays want to convert him from the six-day schedule that he has been on in the minors to the more standard five. McKay said he is open to whatever the team plans, but wants to remain a two-way player and hopes to get the chance to return to playing first base, so he isn’t limited to designated hitter and/or pinch-hit at-bats when he gets the opportunity.
• Under the guidance of coach Paul Hoover, the catchers’ blocking drills had them defending a “goal” as staffers kicked soccer balls at them.
• Japanese free agent Yoshi Tsutsugo arrived in Tampa on Thursday, bought a new Range Rover and did a FaceTime call with Cash. Two of the staffers hired to work with him were at Rays camp on Friday. Tsutsugo is expected on Saturday.
"exciting" - Google News
February 15, 2020 at 02:23AM
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Jose Alvarado makes ‘exciting’ return to mound for Rays - Tampa Bay Times
"exciting" - Google News
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