Tampa Bay Rays: Wil Myers Makes Nervous Spring Debut

Tampa Bay Rays prospect Wil Myers  admitted he was somewhat nervous and finished his 2013 spring training debut  against the Pittsburgh Pirates  feeling comfortable and excited. Myers acquired in a trade that sent James Shields, Wade Davis and Elliot Johnson to the Kansas City Royals earlier this winter grounded out in the third inning swinging at the first pitch he saw an later walked in his second at-bat to finish the day without a hit.

“New jersey on, a new team, a new field, but I was excited to be out there,” he said. “And I thought it went well.” Pittsburgh went on to beat the  split squad Rays 3-2  only warm when the day  at Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte, Florida.

Myers  who played centerfield in the Royals organization started in right field for Tampa Bay and made a nice running catch near the foul line in the first inning.

Roberto Hernandez  looked sharp in his Rays  debut getting the start and retiring the first three batters on 12 pitches.  Hernandez signed a one-year free-agent deal with Tampa Bay and is looking to earn a spot in the Rays rotation. Jeff Niemann followed with a 1-2- 3 inning of his own in the second.  Neiman is coming off an injury plagued 2012. Fernando Rodney retired the side in the third striking out all three batters on 10 pitches. Rodney  was nearly  untouchable last season and seem to pick up  right where he left off.

In  Fort Myers  Leslie Anderson hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning to lead the other raise squad to a 4-3 win over the Boston Red Sox.  Desmond Jennings was two for two with a run scored.

Evan Longoria returned from a three-day absence a new father.  His daughter Elle was born Wednesday night six weeks premature but healthy. The Rays will travel  to Fort Myers to take on the Minnesota Twins today.