PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- Timothy Beckham got his introduction to the outfield during the Rays' 5-5 tie with the Phillies on Wednesday afternoon.
For the most part, he looked smooth while playing left field. He caught two balls in the first two innings, looking like a seasoned outfielder.
"I wasn't nervous," Beckham said. "It was good to get my first start in left field in Spring Training. Felt good out there. ... Felt good to get the reps."
He did experience a little difficulty in the fourth when Aaron Altherr hit one over his head. That resulted in both Beckham and center fielder Dayron Varona having trouble grabbing the ball. By the time the ball was retrieved and returned to the infield, Altherr stood on third with a triple, and three runs had scored.
"If I'd have had some games under me, maybe I would have played it off the wall instead of jumping," Beckham said. "But you get better over time with repetitions."
• Steven Souza Jr. made his first start of the spring and had an RBI single in three trips to the plate.
"I was excited," Souza said. "They don't really throw breaking balls in BP, so it was nice to see those, and I had some good ones, too. Felt good the way the whole thing went."
• Kevin Kiermaier was scratched from Wednesday's start due to neck stiffness. It is not believed to be serious.
• Rays rookies had to perform karaoke for the veterans on Wednesday morning prior to their workout.
"It was impressive," manager Kevin Cash said. "A lot of highlights to it. … The guys did a good job."
When the Rays manager was asked about his go-to karaoke song, he smiled: "I do not do karaoke. Ever."
• Corey Dickerson has been used in the leadoff spot some thus far. Cash was asked if Dickerson could end up leading off during the regular season.
"Yeah, we're contemplating a lot of different batting orders," Cash said. "There's nothing defined, but talking to Corey, he likes leading off. … I know he's expressed in the past that leading off doesn't bother him. And he actually enjoys it. Corey likes to hit."
Dickerson acknowledged that he would like to hit first.
"Anywhere I can get in the lineup consistently, and being the leadoff hitter, you're going to be in there pretty consistently," Dickerson said. "I've done it before, I did it a lot in the Minor Leagues. Did it a lot with the Rockies. ... So I have experience there. If he wants me there, I'll be there. So it's really whatever he says."