Tampa Bay Rays' Pat Burrell continues to struggle

NEW YORK — Pat Burrell hasn't done much with the Rays with just five extra-base hits in his first 27 games and a lower slugging percentage, .308, than middle infielders Jason Bartlett and Akinori Iwamura and 19 NL pitchers.

Manager Joe Maddon is still confident Burrell will swing the big bat the Rays expected when they signed him to a two-year $16 million contract and met with the DH before Thursday's game to share some thoughts about what he has seen.

"One thing about Pat, he doesn't push the panic button," Maddon said. "I still think he's adjusting on several different levels. But you talk to him every day, he's the same guy. He goes about his business the same way. He's got a strong belief system. He's been through the baseball wars in Philadelphia. He'll be fine."

Burrell, who averaged 31 homers and 99 RBIs over the previous four seasons, was hitting .231 with one homer and 12 RBIs — with 16 of his 21 hits being singles — before getting two singles Thursday.

Maddon said Burrell is still getting used to the DH role, and hitting coach Steve Henderson said he is also adjusting to the AL pitchers. Maddon said Burrell won't say so publicly but he is still bothered by the stiff neck that forced him out of the lineup last week.

"I just talked to him about certain observations I made during spring training and just what I'm seeing right now," Maddon said. "We spoke about that, and we'll see what happens."

Burrell was doing extensive work in the batting cage and watching video before the game and wasn't available.

(tampabay.com)