Jansen (sore rib) cleared for Rays debut on Opening Day

TAMPA -- The Rays survived their final injury scare of Spring Training, as catcher Danny Jansen declared himself good to go on Thursday after testing his sore rib muscle in an intrasquad scrimmage on Wednesday afternoon.

Jansen said he felt what seemed like a muscle spasm in his ribs while working out last week. It locked up on him, which was enough of a concern for him to see a doctor to undergo imaging -- “Just being smart heading into Opening Day,” as he put it.

Jansen’s last Spring Training appearance was on March 19, so it was important for him to see how he felt in Wednesday’s intrasquad game at Steinbrenner Field. He caught five innings and took three at-bats and reported no issues.

“It was nice to get out there, and I felt good,” the catcher said.

The Rays had non-roster catcher Kenny Piper stay with them when they broke camp, just in case, but Jansen will be on Tampa Bay’s Opening Day roster and said he has no doubt he’ll be ready to get behind the plate to catch Ryan Pepiot’s first pitch.

“It’s never a fun feeling, a fun place to be in. But glad it happened, if it was going to happen, a little bit before the season started,” Jansen said. “The training staff was awesome. They’ve been awesome, just making sure I’m ready and doing everything, working with me, trusting my opinions as well as I’m [trusting] theirs.”

Manager Kevin Cash said the Rays feel “very good” about Jansen’s health. They will tentatively plan on having him play four of the six games on their first homestand, with Ben Rortvedt taking the other two, but they will also check in daily with Jansen and the athletic training staff to monitor his status.

“We need to keep Janno healthy,” Cash said. “If shaving a day off his workload in the first two series will help, we’ll do it.”

Surprise, surprise

Outfielder Kameron Misner had already driven his truck out of Florida, reported to Triple-A Durham and worked out on the field at Durham Bulls Athletic Park when he got some unexpected news.

Shortly after walking into Durham’s clubhouse on Tuesday night, Misner was informed he was headed back to the Majors. With left-handed-hitting infielder/outfielder Richie Palacios going on the injured list due to a fractured right ring finger, Misner was recalled and added to the Opening Day roster after being sent down during Spring Training.

Misner hopped on a flight early Wednesday morning and joined the Rays. He said his parents and sister are also making the unexpected trip to Steinbrenner Field.

“Something I've always looked forward to and dreamed about. It’s pretty cool, and it’s happened,” said Misner, who debuted last August and played eight games for the Rays. “I’m glad I’m here.”

Palacios said he injured his finger when he was hit by a ball during outfield drills last week. He tried to play through it, but his finger kept swelling up. X-rays revealed what he called a “minor fracture,” so he decided to take some time to let it heal. He said he’s felt better each day and expects to be back soon after he’s able to grip a bat again.

Around the horn

? Pepiot expects to have quite a cheering section on hand for his first Opening Day start on Friday. The right-hander said his brother, in-laws, neighbors and golf partners will be at Steinbrenner Field. So will his parents, a change of plans as they had previously planned to align their first trip to Tampa with his mother’s school’s spring break.

“But they were like, ‘We can’t miss this one,’” Pepiot said.

? Cash spoke to the team on Thursday morning, delivering what he called a “very brief” address.

“Basically told them how much I appreciated the culture that’s been started,” Cash said. “I thought it was really good in Spring Training -- we worked well together as a team -- and how important it is to continue to build off that now heading into Opening Day.”

? This will be the first time on an active Opening Day roster for 10 Rays: Jonathan Aranda, Shane Baz, Hunter Bigge, Taj Bradley, Junior Caminero, Jonny DeLuca, Misner, Mason Montgomery, Manuel Rodríguez and Edwin Uceta.

“I’m excited for every single one of them,” Cash said. “It’s a day you’re never going to forget. … Hopefully it’s as special to them as it is to us as a staff, getting to tell them they’re on the team or starting that day.”