Tino

Martinez

They were rested. Tampa has a makeup game in New York this afternoon, and manager Lou Piniella wanted to give Martinez and Crawford a day off before both made the one-game trip to New York.

Both free agents have been offered one-year deals. They’d have to accept before midnight Tuesday in order to stay with Tampa Bay.

If successful, Jeff Conine would shift to the outfield and Juan Encarnacion would sit when Martinez plays. It’s more likely that they’ll just sign an outfielder, though. David Dellucci is one possibility. Martinez seems likely to become the Yankees’ first baseman. The Rangers are also quite interested.

Martinez, who left Tuesday’s game with a strained right hamstring, will do everything possible to convince manager Tony La Russa that he’s ready to play against his former team.

Unless the Yankees surprise and come up with Carlos Delgado, it seems like a very good bet that Tino will be back in pinstripes next year.

He will not have to be placed on the disabled list, and could be in the Rays’ starting lineup as early as tonight.

Manager Lou Piniella plans to give Fred McGriff a couple of starts at first against the Padres and the Diamondbacks over the next seven days.

Martinez, who is not hurt seriously, may sit out a game or two more to prevent further injury. It will be a game time decision as to whether Martinez is in the Rays’ lineup tomorrow.

Martinez is day-to-day. His 882 OPS this season would be his highest since his career year in 1997.

Manager Lou Piniella indicated that Martinez’s hamstring muscle is still a bit tender, and that the team will not rush him back into the lineup. Martinez could be back in action by the weekend.