Rays get workout, golf in ahead of first game

Tampa Bay set to open Grapefruit League slate against Nationals

March 1st, 2016

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- After a morning workout Tuesday, Rays players headed to the golf course for an afternoon round prior to the team's first Grapefruit League game Wednesday at 1:05 p.m. ET against the Nationals at Charlotte Sports Park.
Left-hander Matt Moore's mound work highlighted the workout, as he pitched live batting practice.
"He looked outstanding," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "He looked really, really good. ... It was awesome. He's been very consistent."
Moore is tentatively scheduled to make his first start of the spring on Monday against the Red Sox in Fort Myers.
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Prior to the workout, coach Rocco Baldelli conducted a baserunning meeting.
"It went well," Cash said. "... Rocco's got just a great way about him. Very calm demeanor. And listens very well ... he made it fun.
"We had some real baserunning blunders that we laughed about. And then he locked it in by saying, 'We can laugh now, but we have to avoid this from happening. Here's why it happened, what can we do differently?' I think the message was very good."
As for kicking off his second Grapefruit League season as manager of the team, Cash noted he would definitely be a lot calmer compared to last year.
"There was obvious anxiety last year, and probably more that I put on myself than anything else. Something new," Cash said. "I'd never experienced that. So it was fun. But this year it will be much calmer and kind of going into work."
Other than outfielder Steven Souza Jr. being slowed by a left intercostal strain, Cash said his squad is healthy save for infielder Kyle Roller, who "rolled his ankle a while back." But Roller did take live batting practice Tuesday.
"We'll probably give him a couple of days to make sure that his ankle is good before we stick him out in the field," Cash said. "But everybody else is good."
The Rays Charity Golf Tournament took place at the Ritz Carlton Golf Club in Bradenton in the afternoon. Word in the clubhouse had Curt Casali, Luke Maile and Dana Eveland as the favorites to win.