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PORT CHARLOTTE — The Rays do not have a history of splurging on catchers.
They’ve mostly been content with defensive-minded backstops who routinely hit at the bottom of the order. So, making Danny Jansen their third-highest-paid player this season — an $8 million salary that trails only Ha-Seong Kim and Brandon Lowe — was a little out of character for Tampa Bay.
Except for that part about being defensive-minded.
While the Rays are counting on more offense from the position with Jansen getting a majority of the starts, he still considers his work with Rays pitchers to be the most important thing he will do this season.
“There’s times, especially early in spring training, where you’re working on certain things (for yourself),” Jansen said. “But taking the time to get to know the pitching staff takes precedent over everything. You do that in the (spring), and hopefully the work translates. Just keep doing the work.”
Jansen made a point of working with each pitcher through each phase of the spring. Catching them first in bullpens, then in live batting practice and now in games.
“I’ve basically caught everybody, for the most part,” Jansen said. “So, when you’re in the fire with the guys and you’re talking to them before and after, those in-game reps are the biggest (help).”
The extra time spent with the hitters hasn’t seemed to hurt the rest of Jansen’s game. He got a team-high-tying sixth walk on Sunday against the Yankees, and his OPS after 27 plate appearances is a gaudy 1.009.
Manager Kevin Cash has also praised Jansen for sticking around in the dugout even after being removed from games, which is unusual in the spring, when most players head to the clubhouse pretty quickly.
“It’s a fun time to get to know everybody,” Jansen said. “That stuff is huge going into the season.”
If Cash is overly concerned about Edwin Uceta’s recent performances, he isn’t showing it.
After giving up four runs in two-thirds of an inning in his last appearance Friday against the Twins, Uceta surrendered two runs in two-thirds of an inning Sunday against the Yankees. Both runs Sunday came on home runs, one a massive shot by Ben Rice and the other a wind-aided fly by Oswaldo Cabrera.
“We’re getting into that 10-day window here where we’ve got to start locking it in, dialing in. He’s certainly one of them,” Cash said. “I know it’s a little shocking when he gives up anything because of how good he was for us last year, and I fully believe and trust he’ll get there.
“Two back-to-back outings where it’s been a little trying for him? He’ll bounce back.”
Bench coach Rodney Linares will manage the team in today’s game against the Mets in Port St. Lucie, while Cash will remain in Port Charlotte and watch Shane McClanahan pitch earlier in a minor-league game … Since getting a single in his first at-bat after missing several games with back tightness, Junior Caminero is now 0-for-13 … Other than McClanahan and Drew Rasmussen, who are both coming off elbow surgery, the other four pitchers vying for spots in the Rays rotation have a solid base of innings behind them from 2024. Taj Bradley, Ryan Pepiot, Zack Littell and Shane Baz all threw between 118 and 156 innings. “Taj, Baz, Pep and Lit are going to be built to be able to get a sixth and seventh (inning) in that first month,” Cash said … Seminole High product Joey Krehbiel gave up two hits and a run in 1 ⅓ innings in West Palm Beach. A non-roster invitee to camp, opponents are hitting .407 off Krehbiel this spring.
• • •
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They’ve mostly been content with defensive-minded backstops who routinely hit at the bottom of the order. So, making Danny Jansen their third-highest-paid player this season — an $8 million salary that trails only Ha-Seong Kim and Brandon Lowe — was a little out of character for Tampa Bay.
Except for that part about being defensive-minded.
While the Rays are counting on more offense from the position with Jansen getting a majority of the starts, he still considers his work with Rays pitchers to be the most important thing he will do this season.
“There’s times, especially early in spring training, where you’re working on certain things (for yourself),” Jansen said. “But taking the time to get to know the pitching staff takes precedent over everything. You do that in the (spring), and hopefully the work translates. Just keep doing the work.”
Jansen made a point of working with each pitcher through each phase of the spring. Catching them first in bullpens, then in live batting practice and now in games.
“I’ve basically caught everybody, for the most part,” Jansen said. “So, when you’re in the fire with the guys and you’re talking to them before and after, those in-game reps are the biggest (help).”
The extra time spent with the hitters hasn’t seemed to hurt the rest of Jansen’s game. He got a team-high-tying sixth walk on Sunday against the Yankees, and his OPS after 27 plate appearances is a gaudy 1.009.
Manager Kevin Cash has also praised Jansen for sticking around in the dugout even after being removed from games, which is unusual in the spring, when most players head to the clubhouse pretty quickly.
“It’s a fun time to get to know everybody,” Jansen said. “That stuff is huge going into the season.”
No cause for alarm
If Cash is overly concerned about Edwin Uceta’s recent performances, he isn’t showing it.
After giving up four runs in two-thirds of an inning in his last appearance Friday against the Twins, Uceta surrendered two runs in two-thirds of an inning Sunday against the Yankees. Both runs Sunday came on home runs, one a massive shot by Ben Rice and the other a wind-aided fly by Oswaldo Cabrera.
“We’re getting into that 10-day window here where we’ve got to start locking it in, dialing in. He’s certainly one of them,” Cash said. “I know it’s a little shocking when he gives up anything because of how good he was for us last year, and I fully believe and trust he’ll get there.
“Two back-to-back outings where it’s been a little trying for him? He’ll bounce back.”
Miscellany
Bench coach Rodney Linares will manage the team in today’s game against the Mets in Port St. Lucie, while Cash will remain in Port Charlotte and watch Shane McClanahan pitch earlier in a minor-league game … Since getting a single in his first at-bat after missing several games with back tightness, Junior Caminero is now 0-for-13 … Other than McClanahan and Drew Rasmussen, who are both coming off elbow surgery, the other four pitchers vying for spots in the Rays rotation have a solid base of innings behind them from 2024. Taj Bradley, Ryan Pepiot, Zack Littell and Shane Baz all threw between 118 and 156 innings. “Taj, Baz, Pep and Lit are going to be built to be able to get a sixth and seventh (inning) in that first month,” Cash said … Seminole High product Joey Krehbiel gave up two hits and a run in 1 ⅓ innings in West Palm Beach. A non-roster invitee to camp, opponents are hitting .407 off Krehbiel this spring.
• • •
Sign up for the Sports Today newsletter to get daily updates on the Bucs, Rays, Lightning and college football across Florida.
Never miss out on the latest with your favorite Tampa Bay sports teams. Follow our coverage on Instagram, X and Facebook.
Continue reading...
