Curtis Mead

It's all working for Mead right now. His last at-bat today saw him take three straight out of the strike zone and then swing at ball four, only to line the pitch into center field anyway. Mead should be in line to make the Rays as a part-timer. A starting gig would require an injury or a course reversal in regard to Jonathan Aranda's playing time.

With Curtis Mead tearing the cover off the ball this spring, the Rays are likely looking for another way to keep Jimenez on the active roster. However, the 28-year-old is hitting just .208 with nine strikeouts to one walk in 26 plate appearances this spring. If he doesn't make the team out of spring training, he will have to pass through waivers, where he can be claimed by any other team.

Morton struck out the side in the first, even sitting down the unstoppable Curtis Mead. The 41-year-old has yet to allow a run in six innings this spring.

He had more hits today than his teammates totaled in 32 at-bats (three). All four hits were singles, and three were hard-hit balls, topping out at 110.9 mph. For the spring, Mead is 14-for-18 with a homer. He wasn't supposed to be much of a threat to make the Rays, but he needs to be taken seriously now, even if it's hard to see how he fits in the lineup. His inclusion would probably come at Eloy Jimenez's expense, making him the righty DH alternative to Jonathan Aranda. He could also see time at second base against lefties.

Jimenez is 2-for-15 with six strikeouts in the early going. He's been penciled on to the Rays' roster since agreeing to a minor league deal in December, but he's certainly not promised anything just yet. Curtis Mead's hot start has presented the Rays with an alternative for a part-time right-handed bat.