Cobb shoots for late-April return

Alex Cobb hopes to join the Biscuits in late April, though early May would be OK, too, after rehabbing his ailing oblique. Cobb, after a break to let the oblique (hopefully) heal, has started a throwing program. He said he started at 45 feet a few days ago and is up to 60 feet now. "It's slow, tedious progress," he said.

Hughes all smiles over new teeth, new team

Former Biscuits first baseman Rhyne Hughes, now with the Baltimore Orioles, has finally capped his lowlight moment from his time in Montgomery.

Hughes lost four teeth and had two broken in half when he was hit by a pitch late in the 2007 season. He wore a prosthetic the last two seasons before getting permanent implants this offseason.

"Everything is good to go," Hughes said. "It's something I don't have to worry about again."

Hughes, traded to the Orioles last season, tried to make an impression this spring with his baseball. He was just demoted from major-league camp to the minors this week.

"I tried to make a good impression with these guys," he said. "It's my first go-around with them."

Alex Montoyo to make Durham debut

Alex Montoyo, the youngest son of Durham manager Charlie Montoyo, will be with the Bulls on Saturday when they face the Rays.

Alex, 2 1/2, suffers from a heart condition that also has limited his ability to travel. Charlie said they decided to make the trip after their cardiologist said Alex was healthy enough that he doesn't need another checkup until August.

Alex, brother Tyson and mom Sam fly to North Carolina on Friday and will stay until the Bulls leave for their April 8 Opening Day game at Norfolk. If all goes well, Charlie said, they'll return in June and stay through July.

Wednesday game observations

It's a major-league day in the Triple-A game with stopper Rafael Soriano starting with Dan Wheeler and Randy Choate to follow.

Jake McGee answering the bell in the Double-A game with a three-up, three-down first inning.

Triple-A, 1st: Soriano struggled, Justin Ruggiano with a nice hit-and-run just before Dan Johnson hits his third homer in two days.

Double-A, 2nd: Cody Cipriano with an RBI groundout. Rays up 1-0.

Triple-A: Former Biscuits first baseman Rhyne Hughes is playing right field for the O's. Talked to him earlier and will post something after the game.

Double-A, 4th: Greg Sexton hits two-run single and Ryan Royster a two-run triple.

Dubs, 5th: Jake McGee gives up his first runs, two of them in fact, so it's 5-2.

Double-A: McGee done after five. Those were the first runs he's allowed in 15 spring innings, he said.

Trips, 6th: Fernando Perez sac fly ties it 3-3. In Double-A, it's 8-2 in the 7th.

Triple-A, 7th: Hughes hit a no-doubt, two-run shot off Heath Phillips to break a 3-3 tie.

Double-A final: Rays win 8-3. Baltimore had some pitching left, so they played a bottom of the ninth. Tampa Bay scored four runs, highlighted by a Reid Fronk two-run double, but they don't count on the score.

Triple-A final: 5-3 Orioles.

Durham donnybrook: Niemann v. Hellickson

It's Jeff Niemann against Jeremy Hellickson on Saturday when the Rays play at Durham in an exhibition game.

Hellickson won't have a lengthy outing, though Niemann should go longer. Nor will the Rays spend much time in Durham. They're taking a charter flight Saturday morning and coming back to Tampa Bay that night.