PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (AP) — Durable left-hander J.P. Howell might not be ready to open the regular season with the Tampa Bay Rays because of a weak shoulder.
Howell has won more games in relief than any other pitcher over the last two seasons, but he has yet to pitch this spring. Manager Joe Maddon said Friday that fitness tests taken in February revealed a lack of strength in Howell’s shoulder.
Howell won 13 games and saved 20 in 2008 and 2009 while pitching 156 innings in 123 games. After dropping out of contention, the Rays shut him down last September, and they have been monitoring his strength level this spring.
Maddon said the Rays are trying to get Howell stronger. Howell said “five to eight (appearances) would be awesome.”
