Ray of Light

A healthy Alvarez can help Tampa on and off the field

Throughout spring training, CNNSI.com will feature regular dispatches from Sports Illustrated staffers assigned to scout camps in the Grapefruit and Cactus leagues.

By Stephen Cannella, Sports Illustrated

Team: Tampa Bay Devil Rays

Spring Training Postcards 2002 Archive

Site: St. Petersburg, Fla.

Weather: Blinding sun, temps in the low 80s

Player I Saw Whom I Really Liked: Left-hander Wilson Alvarez. It was nice to see a recognizable face on baseball's youngest and most anonymous team. Alvarez, who will be 32 in a few weeks, looks like Methuselah in this clubhouse full of fresh-faced, crew-cut kids. Alas, it's been a lifetime since he last pitched for Tampa Bay -- he hasn't logged a major-league inning since tearing his rotator cuff during spring training in 2000. Alvarez looked pretty good on Sunday, however, allowing just one hit in three innings against the Pirates. It was his second scoreless outing of the spring, and he even broke 90 mph on the radar gun with his fastball a few times. The Rays aren't counting on him, but they privately hope that Alvarez can grab the fifth spot in the rotation by the end of spring.

"This difference between last year and this year is ridiculous," said catcher Toby Hall, who caught Alvarez during his minor-league rehab assignment last summer. "His changeup is nasty and he's throwing with confidence, just letting it go."

"I'm surprised I feel so great right now," Alvarez said. "I thought I'd hurt a little bit at the beginning of the spring, but from day one I've felt fine. Now I just have to get some innings."

Around the Horn: Outfield prospect Josh Hamilton, who nearly made the team last spring, has been MIA this year because of a mysterious back ailment. The 20-year-old has been to several specialists, none of whom have found anything wrong, but Hamilton still complains of pain. He is expected to finally join the minor-league camp this week. Says manager Hal McRae, "He's frustrated, and he should be."... Slugger Greg Vaughn has yet to play a game because of a calf injury -- a severe blow to a lineup that scored the fewest runs in the AL last season. It's safe to say McRae is anxious to get Vaughn back. "When I go to bed at night, that is my hope for the next day," McRae said. ... The Devil Rays, being the young and inexperienced bunch that they are, spend more time working on fundamentals (e.g. bunt coverages, first-and-third plays, running the bases and pickoff plays) than any other team in the majors. McRae has his players on the field by 9:10 each morning and batting practice doesn't begin until 10:30. That's over an hour of eye-glazing drills every single day. Most teams keep that stuff to two or three days a week by this point in camp. ... Jared Sandberg, the nephew of former Cubs' second baseman Ryne Sandberg, is in the mix for Tampa Bay's starting third base job. When asked if Jared reminded him of his famous uncle, McRae responded, "No, he reminds me of a young third baseman."

Sports Illustrated staff writer Stephen Cannella will check in periodically with reports from his tour of spring camps.

 

Related information
Stories
More Spring Training Postcards
Multimedia
Visit Video Plus for the latest audio and video
Search our site	Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day
	Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call your cable operator or DirecTV.