Rays notes: Dave Martinez considers himself ready for a managerial job
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Dave Martinez considers himself ready for a managerial job. Despite speculation that he could be a possibility for the Houston Astros' position, open after Bo Porter was fired Monday, the Tampa Bay Rays bench coach considers the talk just chatter for now.
"Right now, as far as I'm concerned, it's just speculation," Martinez said Wednesday. "I heard my name was thrown out there, and I welcome all interviews, and it would be a great opportunity."
Martinez, the Rays' bench coach since October 2007, has interviewed for a number of positions before. The Chicago Cubs met with him last year, and he also received previous interviews with the Cleveland Indians, Toronto Blue Jays and Astros.
He has received renewed attention after Porter's firing, with Houston holding a 59-79 record at the time and sitting in fourth place in the American League West. Martinez said he had a positive experience meeting with Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow and owner Jim Crane in 2012, before Porter was hired.
Despite reports of a strained relationship between Porter and Luhnow, Martinez said he wouldn't let the situation affect him if contacted by Houston. He would enter any possible interview with an open mind.
"You don't know what really clearly happened," Martinez said. "I talked to Jeff during the interview process (in 2012), and I got along with him great. I got along with Mr. Crane great, so it's all good. Relationships are built differently. So whatever happened between them two guys (Luhnow and Porter) doesn't concern what's going to happen with me and the Astros."
Martinez said he sees parallels between Tampa Bay and Houston, a franchise trying to remake itself with young talent. In addition to serving as the Rays' bench coach, his resume includes 16 seasons in the majors as a player with eight teams from 1986 to 2001.
"They remind me a lot of what we went through, and I think they've got an unbelievable future ahead of them," Martinez said. "They're doing things right. They're building from within, and they're trying to get pieces that they need. For the most part, they've got unbelievable talent, young talent. The talent that they have in the minor leagues that's up-and-coming looked pretty promising. So I think their organization is heading in the right direction."
Martinez, for now, remains only a possible choice for Houston. But he considers himself prepared if a managerial chance arrives.
"By doing all the interviews and learning throughout each one, I think my time will come," Martinez said. "I'm passionate about the game. I love the game. I learned the analytical side of the game, which is important this day and age. I know people. I'm good with players. I'm good with media. I'm good with everybody. The biggest thing I learned when I was a player, to being a coach right now, is patience. It takes a lot of patience, and I've learned that over the years, and it has worked out for the best."
GOMES CONFIDENT
Reliever Brandon Gomes has enjoyed a string of recent success. Entering Wednesday, he had retired his last 18 batters faced spanning three stints with the Rays this season. He was perfect in 2 2/3 innings with two strikeouts in a loss to the Blue Jays on Tuesday at Tropicana Field.
"This is my fourth year back and forth so I know I can pitch here," said Gomes, who's 2-2 with a 4.05 ERA and 17 strikeouts this season. "That's not the issue, but it's good to go out there and eat some innings up, especially to kind of save the bullpen for today. But I'm just going out there and trying to do my job any time I get the ball, no matter what that is on that day."
Gomes has eliminated the cutter from his repertoire, a move that allows him to throw his slider and fastball more often. He was recalled from Triple-A Durham on Monday with major-league active rosters expanding to 40 men. He had a 3.62 ERA with 42 strikeouts in 27 appearances with the Bulls this season.
"If you're feeling good mechanically, everything should be right where it is," Gomes said of the transition between the minors and majors. "If anything, it should be a little bit better, because you're going to have that extra tick of adrenaline and focus being back in the big leagues."
MADDON NOT WORRIED ABOUT JENNINGS
Center fielder Desmond Jennings remained out of the lineup Wednesday with left knee soreness. Kevin Kiermaier took Jennings' place in the outfield, though Maddon didn't appear concerned about Jennings suffering lasting effects from the injury.
Maddon said he has had talks with head athletic trainer Ron Porterfield about Jennings' condition. Reports came back positive.
"From Ronnie's mouth to my ears, it's fine," Maddon said. "It's just a bruise, and we just have to wait until he's able to deal with a bruise on the field. But there's no kind of concern about any kind of lasting impact."
Jennings last played for Tampa Bay last Thursday in a loss to the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards. He has hit .244 with 10 home runs and 36 RBI this season.
WORTH NOTING
-- A line drive off the bat of the Rays' Evan Longoria hit Blue Jays right-hander R.A. Dickey in left field before Wednesday's game. The ball appeared to strike Dickey's upper back, and he sat down for about a minute before rising to his feet and returning to the clubhouse. Dickey wasn't injured in the incident.
-- The Rays began Wednesday 6-11 since reaching a .500 record on Aug. 15, which closed a 37-19 stretch. They must go 15-8 to finish with a winning record for the seventh consecutive season.
-- Tampa Bay began Wednesday with a 45-18 record at home against Toronto since 2008.
-- There was a 30-minute delay during Wednesday's game because of a lightning strike at the 16th Street substation, which provides power to Tropicana Field.
You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at aastleford@gmail.com.
