Rays at Jays

The Rays make their lone trip this spring to Knology Park in Dunedin, the home of Toronto Blue Jays.

Rays manager Joe Maddon will field a rather interesting left side to the infield – Elliot Johnson at shortstop and Eric Hinske at third base.

With Evan Longoria sent down to Triple A Durham on Monday and Willy Aybar still hobbling from a hamstring injury, Maddon wants to see if Hinske can handle third base and maybe help the club buy some time before Longoria is ready for the big leagues.

As for Johnson, you can’t be a super utility guy if you can’t play shortstop.

You won’t see Bradenton’s Lance Carter on the hill for the Jays. The former Ray was already optioned to minor league camp earlier this month.

I’m Roger Mooney, and I’ll be here today for all your blogging needs.

Let’s start with the lineups.

Rays
SS Elliot Johnson
LF Carl Crawford
1B Carlos Pena
CF B.J. Upton
DH Cliff Floyd
3B Eric Hinske
RF Jonny Gomes
C Dioner Navarro
2B Andy Cannizaro
P Jason Hammel

Jays
LF Shannon Stewart
1B Lyle Overbay
RF Alex Rios
DH Frank Thomas
C Rod Barajas
3B Hector Luna
CF Buck Coats
SS John McDonald
2B John Tolisano
P Roy Halladay