Maddon takes steps to alleviate Rays' fatigue

KANSAS CITY -- As the Rays prepared for a quick business trip to face the Royals in Monday's makeup game, the biggest concern for manager Joe Maddon was the possibility of residual fatigue.

Only 21 active players made the one-game trip, as the four starting pitchers other than Jeremy Hellickson stayed home.

Evan Longoria was used as the designated hitter to get him off his feet, and Maddon gave Desmond Jennings the day off in 90-degree weather.

"It's maybe not so much the fatigue today, but the fatigue that follows," Maddon said. "You've got all these time changes and the travel component within it. If you can keep a fresh mind right now, the body will follow. It's about keeping a fresh mind."

The Rays were making a one-game trip for just the second time. In 2004, they went to New York for one game and absorbed a loss.