He started there Tuesday night against Boston, and is expected to be the regular there for the first time since he was with the Astros in 2000. Lugo said it was not a smooth first night.

"I just didn't feel comfortable,'' Lugo said. "On one play, I turned around to make the throw to first and I couldn't find the bag. I didn't know where I was.''

Lugo does not begrudge Upton, noting that, "I don't have any problem with B.J. at all,'' but he believes he played shortstop well enough over the last year and two months with the Rays to keep his job.

The new second baseman had a long chat with manager Lou Piniella about why the move was made and what the future holds.

"We had a good talk, Lou is always open and honest with me,'' Lugo said. "I understand what he was saying and he understands where I am.''

The Rays consider Lugo an important all-around contributor to the team. General manager Chuck LaMar said he would soon initiate talks about a long-term contract with Lugo's representative. And Lugo wants to stay with Tampa Bay.

"I like it here, it's a good place,'' Lugo said. "It's a good time to be here. It's exciting. We've got a good chance to do something.''

But Lugo said he will have to get used to playing second base.

"I want to make it work,'' Lugo said. "I'll take more ground balls and try to see the ball better off the bat. [The problem on Tuesday] might just have been the first day. If B.J. and I click, it's going to be good. I don't have a timetable. I'm just going to have to work at it.''

Piniella agreed.

"We weren't disappointed in his play,'' Piniella said. "There is going to be a period of adjustment for him.''

Down on the farm: In his first relief appearance with Triple-A Durham, Seth McClung threw a perfect inning with two strikeouts on Wednesday afternoon. McClung is expected to make two or three more relief appearances with the Bulls and then rejoin the Rays.

At Double-A Montgomery, the Biscuits dropped both ends of a doubleheader against Carolina on Tuesday night. Lefty starter Chris Seddon allowed just one run in the first game but lost, 1-0. In the second game, reliever Willie Glen pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings and struck out five in the 8-3 setback.

At Class A Charleston, outfielder Delmon Young extended his hitting streak to nine games with his 19th home run of the year as the RiverDogs won, 10-9.

Quick hits: The Rays on Wednesday recalled veteran right-hander Jeremi Gonzalez and optioned rookie right-hander John Webb to Durham. "[Gonzalez] has more experience,'' Piniella said. "He'll pitch in long relief.'' Webb made one appearance for the Rays, throwing 1 1/3 scoreless innings on Monday night. "We just brought him up for a look,'' Piniella said. Webb is expected to start for the Bulls this weekend. ... Piniella moved Upton to second in the lineup on Wednesday night against the Red Sox. "Just watching him, I think that's a good place to put him,'' Piniella said. "He walks, he takes pitches and he hits the ball the other way.'' ... After getting his final workout at Tropicana Field, Doug Waechter is ready to go out on a rehab assignment. He also will start for the Bulls, possibly on Saturday. Waechter is recovering from a strained tendon in the middle finger of his right hand. ... All-Star Carl Crawford turns 23 on Thursday.

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.