PORT CHARLOTTE — The Tampa Bay Rays pitchers and catchers reported to Port Charlotte for their first day of Spring Training. COVID-19 safety protocols remain in place, with mask-wearing and physical distancing being incorporated as often as possible.
Manager Kevin Cash said it's not easy to deal with all of the safety protocols that carried over from last season, but his team has no problem handling them, and they're going to keep doing it all season.
"It’s on us, meaning all of baseball, not to relax knowing how serious this is," Cash said Thursday morning. "Our players did such a tremendous job of following the guidelines and protocols that were put in place. And we’re going to do everything we can to do that again for as long as it’s needed."
Cash said there isn't going to be an annual all-team meeting this season. Players will be working out in small groups to begin camp, and they'll stay physically distanced whenever possible.
Starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow said despite the changes in the day-to-day operations, it still feels like a normal Spring Training.
"The first week everyone’s stoked to be there, and all happy and in a good mood- which is awesome. Then you get rocked the first time, or you go for something- and then your ebs and flows get down to even," Glasnow joked after Thursday's workout. "Then everyone kinda just gets back to normal. Once the position players get here and people start struggling, everyone will start to- it’ll be normal again, ha!"
Position players report for the team's first full workout on Tuesday.
