Tampa Rays Upton says he will start season on DL

Tampa Rays centerfielder B.J. Upton said he will be placed on the DL to start the season as he recovers from an outfield collision he had March 14th with Desmond Jennings that has left him with a sore back.

The Rays announced they were sending catcher Chris Gimenez to minor league camp and optioning pitcher Brandon Gomes to Triple A.

The moves mean Jose Labaton will probably be the backup catcher and Burke Badenhop has a spot in the bullpen. In other news, the Rays said right-handed pitchers Ryan Reid and Marquis Fleming are going to be re-assigned.

Shortstop Reid Brignac, still fighting plantar fascia in his right foot, went 1 for 4 with a homer in a Triple A game on Wednesday and jumped around with no negative impact on his foot.
“I still think there is plenty of opportunity here. Just because it’s not at the onset doesn’t mean it can’t happen at any point in the season,” Gimenez said. “You just have to take that attitude into it. You can handle it two ways. You can go down and be Bitter Bob about it or be your normal self. I don’t plan on being Bitter Bob.

“I would’ve liked to have caught a little more this spring. But being able to play those other positions was a benefit and I got a ton of at-bats and that was awesome. I feel like the last two weeks I feel like I was making good strides. I still feel like this is a good spot to be.”

Heading into Wednesday night’s game against the Pirates Gimenez was hitting .209 with nine hits in 43 at-bats. He had one double and one home run.