By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, February 4, 2012

Third baseman Evan Longoria looks a little different coming into camp this spring.

After spending the past two offseasons bulking up in workouts, Longoria is 10 to 15 pounds leaner and considerably looser, emphasizing flexibility over strength in an effort to avoid the muscle injuries (hamstring, quadriceps, oblique) that have sidelined him during the past two seasons.

"That was the focus for me," Longoria said Friday. "I feel great. So I hope it pays off."

OF Sam Fuld this weekend hosted the first of what he hopes to be an annual clinic for young athletes who have diabetes. Fuld (below, blue shirt) and other diabetic athletes provided instruction to the group of 100 in several sports, including baseball, cheerleading, basketball, football, soccer, softball and tennis.

Photos courtesy of the Rays.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Friday, February 3, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — Seeing son Prince pull on the Olde English D he once wore proudly in Detroit only brought Cecil Fielder back so far.

Dismissing talk of an "improving" relationship with his son, Cecil Fielder said before Friday's induction into the Ted Williams Hitters Hall of Fame he has no interest in going to see Prince Fielder play and instead delivered a stinging rebuke of the 27-year-old who signed a nine-year, $214 million free agent deal with the Tigers.

Times wires
Friday, February 3, 2012

ARLINGTON, Texas — Josh Hamilton shed no tears Friday, used no prepared statement as he apologized and shared few details about his relapse with alcohol. Still, it was clear he was upset by what he had done.

The Rangers slugger and recovering drug addict said he had "three or four" drinks during dinner at a Dallas restaurant and bar Monday and continued drinking later that night.

Hamilton, 30, said his actions "are mine that hurt a lot of people very close to me."

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Friday, February 3, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays say they don't like going to arbitration hearings, but they definitely have the routine down.

Friday's ruling that they prevailed over right-hander Jeff Niemann extended their record to 5-0 under executive vice president Andrew Friedman and 6-0 overall.

Niemann, who was 11-7 with a 4.06 ERA in 23 games last season and spent six weeks on the disabled list with a back strain, will make $2.75 million this season. He sought $3.2 million.

UPDATE, 4:02: With Niemann the last of six arbitration-eligible players to have his salary decided, the Rays are ready to move forward. 
“We are officially at the end of the arbitration process for the year,'' executive VP Andrew Friedman said.  "We had a number of eligible players this year and we’re happy to have this process behind us so we can focus all of our attention on getting ready for the season.” 

BREAKING: The Rays won their arbitration case against RHP Jeff Niemann.