Aranda ready to seize second chance to break camp with Rays

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Everything seemed to be lining up perfectly for Jonathan Aranda last spring.

Coming into camp with an opportunity to seize a spot on the Rays’ Opening Day roster, Aranda put together an excellent Spring Training at the plate. He was poised to play a big role for the Rays from the jump, finally showing that he could convert his Triple-A dominance into Major League production. The morning of March 19, the Rays let him know his hard work and patience would be rewarded: He was going to break camp with the team.

Then, later that day, Aranda banged up his right ring finger while turning a double play during defensive drills. His finger was fractured, requiring surgery that kept him off the field for a month, stalled all the momentum he’d built and derailed a season he didn’t salvage until September.

“It was something that I was looking forward to,” Aranda said through interpreter Eddie Rodriguez, “so it was frustrating.”

The same opportunity stands before Aranda this spring, and he seems just as ready to take advantage of it. The left-handed hitter is off to a nice start at the plate, and he appears to be in line to play a significant role for Tampa Bay this season.

The Rays were granted a fourth Minor League option year for Aranda, but their shared hope is that they won’t have to use it. As Tampa Bay's roster is currently constructed, Aranda could see a lot of time at first base (to give Yandy Díaz more days off his feet as a designated hitter) and some time at second base (behind Brandon Lowe) or as a DH.

Aranda got the start at second base in Sunday’s 5-5 tie against the Twins at Hammond Stadium. He said he’s comfortable at second and first, where he has spent most of his time in the Majors, and he made both a priority while playing winter ball in his native Mexico.

Once again, Aranda is hoping to break out and establish himself in the big leagues. If not for the injury last year, he might have already done just that.

“We were talking about him last night at dinner, that he’s such an important part to our team. That [injury] derailed [his season],” manager Kevin Cash said Sunday morning. “He was on the team. We had told him he was on the team. He was swinging the bat well, probably his most comfort that he’s had at the plate in Spring Training, relaxed and doing what he’s always shown he’s done in the Minor Leagues or in Durham. Then, that happens. Wasn’t ideal.”

It wasn’t a totally lost year, though. In his final 20 games, Aranda slashed .269/.342/.552 with five homers and nine RBIs. He looked every bit like the hitter who owns a .316/.413/.546 slash line over parts of three seasons in Triple-A. For all the frustration the season had brought to that point, he went home on a high note.

“I know I’m capable of putting up the numbers that I put up at the end of the season,” Aranda said. “I was very happy with the opportunity that they gave me. … I think I showed what I’m capable of again, and I hope that they saw that, too.”

Around the horn
? Starter Shane Baz made his spring debut on Sunday, throwing 50 pitches (33 strikes) over three scoreless innings. Baz allowed two hits, struck out two and issued one walk. The right-hander threw all four of his pitches, ramped up his fastball to 100.6 mph and finished both his strikeouts with curveballs.

“I think I could have been a lot more efficient there, but I'm working on stuff, trying to throw everything,” Baz said. “Happy with it. Body feels good, so that's all I can really ask for right now.”

? Starter Zack Littell was scheduled to throw a three-inning simulated game at Charlotte Sports Park on Sunday morning, pitching in a controlled environment to build up his workload.

? Top 100 prospect Xavier Isaac (left elbow soreness) returned to the lineup on Sunday, going 0-for-2 with a walk as the Rays’ DH.

? Reliever Kevin Kelly allowed three hits, including back-to-back homers, and hit a batter while recording two outs in his first outing of the spring.

“We're so accustomed to seeing KK 1-2-3, super efficient, but not overly concerned,” Cash said. “Couple balls got away from him.”