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DH experiment getting solid early results

ST. PETERSBURG -- Given the Rays' lack of production from everyday designated hitters over the years, they decided to not have a full-time DH this season.

Instead, they plan to move people around in that slot, occasionally giving a regular player a day off from playing the field, other times for matchup purposes.

Thus far, the DH experiment has worked well. Matt Joyce and Logan Forsythe have been given all the DH at-bats and they have gone 4-for-10 with a run scored and three RBIs entering play on Thursday.

"They've done well," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "Matty's done well. Forsythe has done a nice job."

Maddon added that he has enjoyed having the DH spot available when filling out the lineup on a daily basis.

"I kind of like the flexibility, I do," Maddon said. "The opposite would be if you have one really outstanding DH, then you would prefer a static component. We have not really had that around here on any kind of consistent basis. So I like the flexibility of putting different people in there. Giving guys rest. I kind of like that. [The DH spot is] wide open, totally, and the game's wide open to pinch hit for that guy."

Bill Chastain is a reporter for MLB.com.
Read More: Tampa Bay Rays, Matt Joyce, Logan Forsythe