While the Tampa Bay Rays got their first look at closer Rafael Soriano in Wednesday's 5-2 exhibition victory, the Minnesota Twins maintained some hope they might get to see their own closer, Joe Nathan, at some point. Once the game started, however, Sean Rodriguez closed most of that discussion with two more hits, two more runs and a spectacular diving catch for the Rays.

The race for the fifth job in Tampa Bay's pitching rotation is still too close to call. Candidates Wade Davis and Andy Sonnanstine combined with reliever Dan Wheeler on a four-hitter Tuesday night, shutting down a Boston split squad 7-0 for the Rays' third victory over the Red Sox this spring.

As good as Rick Porcello was last year for the Detroit Tigers, he thinks he's a better pitcher in 2010. So far, the results back that up. On Sunday, the 21-year-old right-hander, who won 14 games in 2009 as a rookie, threw four scoreless innings in a 9-6 win over Tampa Bay. Porcello has yet to allow a run in nine exhibition innings over three appearances.

Ricky Nalasco had a solid outing and the Florida Marlins scored four runs in the seventh inning to defeat the Tampa Bay Rays 8-5 on Saturday. Nalasco scattered four hits over four innings, striking out four and yielding one run to drop his spring ERA to 2.57. Marlins catcher Ronny Paulino went 2 for 3 with an RBI single off of Rays starter Matt Garza in the third inning.

The Tampa Bay Rays have selected right-hander James Shields as their opening-day starting pitcher. The 28-year-old also got the assignment the past two seasons and would become the first pitcher in franchise history to get the call three consecutive years. Shields went 11-12 with a 4.14 ERA last season, pitching much better than his record indicated.

The Philadelphia Phillies-Tampa Bay Rays spring training game has been canceled because of rain. Friday's cancellation means Tampa Bay's franchise-record streak of nine straight exhibition wins will remain intact at least another day. The Rays are scheduled to host the Florida Marlins in Port Charlotte on Saturday.

A relaxed Andy Sonnanstine gave the Tampa Bay Rays a glimpse of the pitcher that helped them get to the World Series. The right-hander, who lost his spot in the starting rotation last season after helping the Rays win the AL pennant in 2008, pitched four scoreless innings in Thursday's 4-1 split-squad victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.

Dioner Navarro and the Tampa Bay Rays were hoping for the best after a simple pickoff play in the third inning. Navarro was struck by a pickoff throw during the Rays' 16-15 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday and departed with an injured left thumb. Navarro was hit when Jack Taschner threw over to first.