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Hammel Out Early With Tight Shoulder

Published: Aug 2, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG - Facing heightened expectations following one of his best starts in the big leagues, RHP Jason Hammel was undone Wednesday by something he didn't expect - a tightening sensation in his pitching shoulder that was robbing him of his velocity.

Hammel left with no outs in the fourth after going 2-1 to first batter Troy Glaus. It was a surprise considering how well he had been throwing leading up to Wednesday. After the game he met with team orthopedist Koco Eaton and learned he had a minor case of bicep tendinitis. He's not expected to miss his next start.

"Early in the second inning, I started to stretch when I was on the mound, but I just felt like I was all out of rhythm," Hammel said. "I wanted to work through it, obviously, but it didn't hurt. That was the thing. There was no pain, so I figured I was doing something wrong with my delivery."

He continued to pitch, quickly retiring the Blue Jays in order in the third, but could feel that his fastball and slider weren't as sharp as normal. By the time he faced Glaus, Manager Joe Maddon was sure something was wrong and came to the mound with trainer Ron Porterfield. After a brief conversation Maddon summoned Juan Salas from the bullpen.

Normally able to hit 90 mph on the radar gun, Hammel was topping out in the mid 80s, which Maddon noticed as well.

"That was kind of like the red light that there was something wrong," Maddon said. "So we talked to him about it, and he fessed up. He wanted to stay out there, … but it didn't look right."

Hammel was trying to build on his last outing Friday against the Red Sox, when he allowed one hit and two earned runs in 5 1/3 innings, though he took the loss. Hammel admittedly was gassed after throwing 88 pitches that day, but Maddon thought he'd be able to top out at 100 to 105 pitches Wednesday. It was his third start since making 10 relief appearances after being called up June 11.

"I think that plays a big part, going from the bullpen and then starting back again," he said. "I'm sure that has a little something to do with it, too."

Still searching for his first win as a starter (his only big-league win came in relief), Hammel plans to work on strengthening his arm so he can stay in the rotation.

"I don't want to miss a start," he said. "I would be very, very aggravated if I missed a start."

FARM FACTS: Triple-A Durham RHP Jeff Niemann was scheduled to see a doctor Wednesday night, and the Rays did not expect to get an update on his fatigued right shoulder until today. … Rays 3B prospect Evan Longoria, 21, was promoted to Durham but was not in the starting lineup Wednesday against Columbus. At Double-A Montgomery he hit a team single-season record 21 homers, including a grand slam in his final at-bat.

NOTEWORTHY: By taking two of three from Toronto, the Rays won their third series since June 12 (all at home), with 11 series losses in that stretch. They must win their final 25 home games to finish with 50 home wins, a goal put forth by principal owner Stuart Sternberg during spring training. … The Rays have 19 homers in 12 games against Toronto, their most against a single opponent this year. … C Raul Casanova was outrighted to Triple-A Durham. … Blue Jays RHP A.J. Burnett (DL, right shoulder) threw four innings in a simulated game about four hours before first pitch. … DH Frank Thomas was out of the lineup for the second consecutive game, and flied out to center as a pinch hitter in the seventh. … The Rays will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for their new office in downtown Tampa this evening at 5:30. The office is located at Park Tower, 400 N. Tampa St.

Bart O'Connell