Notes: Cantu eager to join Team Mexico

03/01/2006
ST. PETERSBURG -- Jorge Cantu leaves on Thursday for Arizona to represent his native Mexico in the World Baseball Classic, and the Devil Rays' second baseman is thrilled for the opportunity to be included on a roster with names such as Texas' Erubiel Durazo, Oakland's Esteban Loiaza, Baltimore's Rodrigo Lopez, Pittsburgh's Oliver Perez and free agent righty Ismael Valdez.
"It's the Dream Team from Mexico, so I want to play with everybody. That's the bottom line," Cantu said. "Everybody's getting ready for the season, and everybody is excited to see the best baseball in the world."
The 24-year-old Cantu is nearly 15 years younger than Padres third baseman Vinny Castilla, a 15-year veteran third baseman from Oaxaca who Cantu watched while growing up in Reynosa.
"He was like one of my idols growing up," Cantu said.
Cantu said his decision to join the inaugural event was an easy one, and though many players declined invitations due to the possibility of injury, his philosophy on the matter was simple.
"You can get hurt later, or you can get hurt now," he said, "So, you know, it happens."
Devil Rays right-hander Shinji Mori will stay and work through Spring Training rather than play for Japan, but he said folks back home are tuned in and anxious for the Classic to begin.
"It's a big event in Japan," Mori said. "Everybody is talking about [the Classic] every day."
Cantu will spend Friday in training camp with his temporary teammates before a Saturday exhibition against the Diamondbacks. Mexico faces the United States squad at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday in Phoenix.
Rays ready for opener: The Devil Rays play their first exhibition game on Thursday and left fielder Carl Crawford is champing at the bit.
Hampered since October with a bone bruise in his left wrist, Crawford has been limited in Spring Training and bunted twice in Wednesday's intrasquad game. After testing his limits in batting practice during the past two weeks and experiencing encouraging results, Crawford wasn't surprised to see his name appear on the roster for Thursday's game against the Blue Jays.
"Everybody's been upbeat [about the injury], and it seems like things are going as planned right now," he said. "I just can't wait to get back on the field and get into a real-live game and see where I stand. I've been looking forward to it all spring.
"I know the guys around here have been looking forward to it, too. We're finally getting our wish [on Thursday]."
The game, set for 1 p.m. ET at Knology Park in Dunedin, Fla., is manager Joe Maddon's first with the Devil Rays. If Tuesday was any indication, he's just as eager as Crawford -- if not more.
"It's a great day," Maddon said. "I've had a lot of those. This whole offseason, until now, has been a lot of those kinds of days, and I'm very excited."
Maddon said rather than focusing on wins and losses, he'll look for hard play, awareness and executing fundamentals such as bunting, backing up bases and pitching under pressure.
"They reveal a lot of what needs to be worked on now, that's what we're going to see probably as much as anything," Maddon said. "That's a good thing -- especially this early on."
Hollins earns praise: Rays outfielder Damon Hollins, a 31-year-old rookie last season, is making a strong case for keeping a spot in what is quickly becoming a crowded outfield.
Hollins had two hits, three RBIs and two runs scored in four at-bats from the leadoff spot during Tuesday's intrasquad game. He caught Maddon's attention with alert baserunning that allowed him to sneak home from third on a grounder.
"I love this man's heart. I don't know him that well, but I can see it. I can see the way everybody else responds to him," Maddon said. "He's a very impressive man, and I can see him with the good baseball players also.
"He's got a joy for life, not just a joy for baseball. He's got a face and a way about him."
Last season, his 13th in professional baseball, Hollins played each outfield position for the Rays, with a combined .979 fielding percentage. At the plate, the veteran hit .249 with 13 home runs, fifth most on the team.
Rotation, rotation: Casey Fossum, Chad Orvella, Jason Hammel, Wayne Franklin, Tim Corcoran and Travis Harper are scheduled to pitch on Thursday. Scheduled for Friday at Dunedin are Scott Kazmir, Chris Seddon, Chad Harville, Bart Miadich, Mark Malaska and Jesus Colome.

Source: http://tampabay.devilrays.mlb.com/