NewsRays phenom Price to start Monday
Tampa Bay (23-23) at Cleveland (17-28), 6:05 p.m. ET
By Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com
05/24/09 8:42 PM ET
MIAMI -- He's baaaaack.Who knew the news of placing one of the Rays' cornerstone pitchers on the 15-day disabled list would lead to one of the most exciting turn of events this year? But that's exactly what happened when left-hander Scott Kazmir's right quad proved too painful to pitch through it and Tampa Bay needed an arm to slot in for the series opener against Cleveland on Monday.
It turns out the arm they're bringing up from Triple-A Durham is not just any arm.
It's the highly touted left arm of David Price -- an arm that could be one of the best in baseball some day.
Going into Monday's game, the move hadn't been made official, but manager Joe Maddon confirmed after Sunday's 5-4 extra-inning loss to the Marlins that Price would indeed make his 2009 debut on Monday, and the corresponding roster move would be announced that day.
"He knew he was getting close his last time out, and he turned it up at that time," Maddon said about Price, who pitched five scoreless innings with nine strikeouts and two walks during his last Minor League start on May 17. "He's a unique young man, and he thrives under this kind of situation. I know he's definitely going to be prepared, I know he definitely feels like he belongs here, and those are the kind of things you want out of a young player.
"We know what his ceiling may look like, but we thought it was the right time."
And this time may be a little different than his first.
For one, he's going to be here for the long haul.
"When you bring a guy like this, you really want him to stay," Maddon said.
This time, the chains are coming off. The Rays' skipper said Price, now 23, will be a 90- to 100-pitch guy when he next toes a big league rubber.
And he believes the No. 1 overall pick in 2007 can handle it.
"It's kind of difficult as a starter -- it's kind of like taking a race horse out there and always holding back a bit," Maddon said about the previous restrictions. "So now we're going to kind of let him go. He's still going to be under the restraints that I apply to everybody else, but his last time, he was really good. The strikeouts came up, everything came up the last time up. And we felt that was good enough.
"He's ready."
Frankly, his Rays teammates are ready for some reinforcements, too.
With Kazmir on the shelf for an indefinite amount of time, closer Troy Percival (right shoulder tendinitis) pondering a possible retirement and second baseman Akinori Iwamura likely to go on the DL with a left knee injury he sustained on Sunday, Price's ascension comes at a good time.
And if last year was any kind of barometer, the Rays -- and their fans -- are in for quite a treat.
"I think he gives us an added lift," third baseman Evan Longoria said. "I'm sure the opportunities that he does get, he'll make the most of them and give us a boost."
Added right-hander Andy Sonnanstine, who, at 27, is the oldest starter in the rotation: "We're excited. He's another guy in our rotation that's going to be able to get the job done. I know he's excited to come up here, and we're looking forward to seeing what he's got."
Pitching matchupTB: LHP David Price (0-0, 1.93 ERA in 2008)
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft, Price was 1-4 with a 3.93 ERA in eight starts at Triple-A for the Bulls. He did not disappoint as a rookie last year, posting a 1.93 ERA through 14 innings during the regular season. In the American League Championship Series, Price pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings, notching a win in Game 2 and a save in Game 7 against the Red Sox. Price gave up two runs -- one earned -- in 3 1/3 innings against the Phillies in the World Series. CLE: RHP Fausto Carmona (2-4, 5.74 ERA)
Carmona worked six innings and allowed four runs on six hits in his last start against the Royals. It was the eighth consecutive start that Carmona had given up four earned runs or fewer. But Carmona was hurt by four walks and two wild pitches against Kansas City as he settled for the no-decision. Carmona's last win came on May 14 against the Rays. He pitched 5 1/3 innings, holding the Rays to four earned runs on four hits as he notched his second win and his first since April 18. Tidbits
Jason Bartlett was shaken up when Dan Uggla slid into his left ankle while trying to steal second base in the bottom of the 10th on Sunday. Bartlett walked it off and stayed in the game, and afterward, he and Maddon said the ankle shouldn't be a problem. Bartlett will get an off-day on Monday, but that was scheduled because he's 0-for-15 lifetime against Indians starter Fausto Carmona. "He got dinged a little bit," Maddon said. "He got hit in the shin. I don't know if it was his helmet or whatever that hit Uggla when he stole that kind of got him in the shin, but he's fine." ... Pat Burrell (stiff neck) is going to fly to Cleveland on Monday and will be re-evaluated to see if he'll be ready to come off the DL on Tuesday. That will be a game-time decision. ... Sunday starter James Shields was hit by a hard comebacker from Ross Gload with two outs in the seventh inning and then came out of the game. But that was because he was at 102 pitches, not because he was hurt. ... Chad Bradford (right elbow) pitched one scoreless inning in his first Minor League rehab game for Class A Charlotte on Sunday. ... Carl Crawford swiped his Major League-leading 27th and 28th bases on Sunday and has now been successful in 30 consecutive attempts dating back to 2008. Tickets
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• Tuesday: Rays (Matt Garza, 4-2, 3.41) at Indians (Carl Pavano, 4-4, 6.10), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Wednesday: Rays (Andy Sonnanstine, 3-4, 6.60) at Indians (TBD), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Thursday: Rays (Jeff Niemann, 4-3, 4.53) at Indians (David Huff, 0-1, 17.55), 12:05 p.m. ET
Alden Gonzalez is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
