Sunday, April 05, 2009

Hammel, Niemann depart with hug

Jason Hammel and Jeff Niemann, after one finished almost-surely their last work for the Tampa Bay organization, hugged and wished each other luck.

The Rays are likely to trade Hammel to the Colorado Rockies today -- for a pitcher who will go into Montgomery's starting rotation -- before the major-league roster deadline. Both were headed to their Port Charlotte-area apartments to pack to leave, whether it's to Boston to join the Rays for Monday's season opener or elsewhere.

"We'll just wait for the phone to ring," Hammel said. "It's a true waiting game, but it has been all spring. At least we'll know today for sure."

The roster deadline is at 2 p.m. Central.

"We'll go to the airport and see where we're flying to," Niemann said.

No comments: