DUNEDIN, Fla. — The spring training game between the Tampa Bay Rays and a split squad of Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday was cancelled after two innings because of rain.
Logan Forsythe led off the game with a home run, and Tampa Bay led when 1-0 it was stopped.
Rays bench coach Tom Foley, who managed the game while Kevin Cash stayed behind in Port Charlotte to watch Chris Archer throw an intrasquad game, said there were some positives during the team’s limited time on the field.
"I thought we swung the bats pretty well," he said. "Everybody got an at-bat in the game, so that was good."
STARTING TIME
Rays: Matt Andriese allowed one hit — a single by AL MVP Josh Donaldson — struck out one and was charged with a balk in the first.
During the delay, the right-hander said he threw two more simulated innings in the indoor bullpen.
Blue Jays: Arnold Leon allowed three hits and struck out one.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Rays: 3B Evan Longoria was originally scheduled to travel with the team from Port Charlotte, but was a late scratch after opting to stay back for an additional off-day, Foley said
Blue Jays: RHP Marco Estrada (back stiffness) will likely start the season on the disabled list, but should be healthy in time to start against Boston on April 10, manager John Gibbons said. Estrada, who missed the first four weeks of camp, has allowed three runs in two starts.
SPECIAL GUEST
Commissioner Rob Manfred will attend Sunday’s Rays-Blue Jays season opener, marking the first time in 19 years that an MLB commissioner has visited Tropicana Field for opening day.
MOVING DAY
The Blue Jays released LHP Randy Choate and RHP Steve Delabar before the game.
Delabar was an All-Star in 2013, but struggled to a 4.91 ERA in 2014 and a 5.22 ERA in 31 games last season. The 32-year-old allowed three runs in eight exhibition games.
"Steve, he’s been a part of this since I came back," Gibbons said. "He’s pitched really good for us at times, he made the All-Star team and you hate to see him go. . He’s the ultimate pro, just a class act."
A 16-year veteran, Choate was in competition to be Toronto’s left-handed specialist out of the bullpen. He had a 5.40 ERA in four games after signing a minor league contract with the Blue Jays on March 11.
Gibbons said he hopes the 40-year-old Choate will accept an assignment to Triple-A if he clears waivers.
UP NEXT
Rays: Drew Smyly makes his last start Wednesday against the Red Sox in Port Charlotte. The lefty has struck out 14 in four games.
Blue Jays: Gavin Floyd will make his final start Wednesday against the Twins in Fort Myers. The right-hander, who will start the season in the bullpen, has a 2.19 ERA in four outings.
