Greg

Norton

Norton had been out since March 11 because of a strained right hamstring.

He fielded groundballs Monday and also began to do ''stride work, running tests,’' trainer Thomas Probst said. Norton is still several days away from getting into a game.

''I’d like to play him in a series of games and see how he holds up,’' manager Clint Hurdle said. ''I’d like to get him in three out of five games.’'

He should be able to begin a rehab assignment within the next week provided the swelling in his knee has subsided.

Norton, who has been on the disbaled list since June 18th, will likely return to his role as the Tigers’ utilityman some time after the All-Star break.

Norton, who is recovering from a knee injury, has hit only .103 (4-for-39) during his stay in Class AAA, and may not be added to the 25-man roster as the Tigers have a logjam at the DH and corner infielder positions.

With seven homers in 139 at-bats, Norton has been a nice role player for the Rays this season. The injury to Ty Wigginton has provided him with some value in AL-only leagues at the moment.

The Red Sox had the game in hand even after reliever Manny Delcarmen surrendered a pair of runs in the seventh. However, Mike Timlin gave up a solo homer to Travis Lee and was pulled for closer Jonathan Papelbon with one out in the eighth. Papelbon then blew his fourth save when Dioner Navarro took an 0-2 fastball that got too much of the plate and deposited it into the seats in right. After both teams failed to score in the ninth, Norton yanked a meatball from Tavarez deep to left to give the Devil Rays the win.

Russell Branyan also reached base three times. It figures that neither Norton nor Branyan will get many starts at all now that Rocco Baldelli and Jorge Cantu are back, but manager Joe Maddon found room for both today. Aubrey Huff and Damon Hollins had the day off.

He’s been absolutely on fire when he’s been healthy this month, now batting .446 with five homers and 10 RBI in August. Norton has now hit 11 dingers for the season. It’s pretty sad when he’s your hottest hitter, but that’s life as a Tampa Bay Devil Rays’ fan.