News and notes about the Tampa Bay Rays, as tweeted by the Tampa Bay Times' Joe Smith:
- Rays manager Joe Maddon doesn't expect James Shields to be dealt before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. Losing Shields would make it "more difficult" for the Rays to achieve their goal and win a World Series.
- Maddon thinks the Rays can make the playoffs with the club they currently have.
- Maddon had nothing but good things to say about Hideki Matsui, who was designated for assignment by the club on Wednesday, adding that he doesn't think Matsui is done.
- Matsui is taking a couple of days to decide his future.
- Newly acquired Ryan Roberts will play mostly at third base, but can also fill in at second base and shortstop.
- Third baseman Evan Longoria is headed to Triple-A Durham to begin a rehab assignment that will last three or four games.
- Longoria's excited about returning to action and has been told he can't make his hamstring injury any worse. However, the Rays' franchise player acknowledged he won't be at full speed when he does eventually return.
- Luke Scott's oblique strain, which has kept him out of action since July 21, shouldn't have him on the DL for more than the minimum stint.
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the latest rumors from bloggers Chris Cwik, Jack Moore and Navin Vaswani, follow @MLBRumorsCBS.
