PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- Count Jonny Gomes among the familiar faces Rays fans saw Wednesday afternoon at the Rays-Reds contest at Charlotte Sports Complex.

But something felt wrong seeing him in a Cincinnati Reds uniform.

After hitting .182 with eight home runs and 21 RBIs in 2008, Gomes was not tendered a contract by the Rays, which made him a free agent and allowed him to sign a contract with the Reds.

"I don't know if it's strange," said Gomes when asked about facing his former teammates. "It's definitely different. I'm just glad how it ended where it did for me, the World Series in Tampa."

Gomes, 28, was an 18th-round selection by the Rays in the 2001 First-Year Player Draft. He spent parts of six seasons in the Major Leagues, all with the Rays. His 66 career home runs rank fifth in Rays history and first among Rays right-handed hitters. He holds the franchise record for most times hit by a pitch (35) and hits that have reached the catwalks at Tropicana Field (eight). His 21 home runs as a rookie in 2005 are a career high, and stood as a club rookie record until passed by Evan Longoria this season.

Gomes will be in competition with Jacque Jones and Chris Dickerson for the Reds' left-field job, and he seemed thankful for the opportunity.

"The Reds have been great, they brought me in with open arms," Gomes said. "These guys are really trying to be competitive, so they brought in a lot of guys, a lot of good talent. And you know me and that old fashioned tryout -- been there. So I've got my work cut out for me. I had to come into Spring Training ready, and I am."

Gomes believes that with the Reds, he can get the at-bats he needs to keep his swing honed.

"I think so," Gomes said. "[In the] National League, you're pretty much guaranteed an at-bat a day unless some of these good arms they got might go the distance."

Meanwhile, Gomes looked over at the clubhouse where he used to be revered and spoke highly of the Rays.

"You look at these guys, what they did, and what they've done isn't a fluke," Gomes said. "It's not like someone had a crazy year. They were all just even keel. They could easily repeat. But they're still in the AL East, which is a beast."

Gomes will continue to follow the Rays while he tries to win a spot with the Reds.

"Every year you have a learning curve," Gomes said. "Now that I know that, I've got to take it upon myself to be ready. I'm sort of running out of excuses."