Wade

Townsend

Townsend was the eighth overall pick in this year’s draft. He’s back attending Rice University and is expected to reenter the draft next year.

Townsend, who had made one appearance in the Arizona Fall League, is scheduled to visit Rays orthopedic physician Dr. Koco Eaton next week for further tests. Things haven’t gone as planned for the trio of talented Rice starters that came out of the 2004 draft. Philip Humber has already undergone Tommy John surgery, and Jeff Niemann had shoulder problems this season. If Townsend, who declined to sign after being drafted by the Orioles in 2004, needs Tommy John surgery, he’ll miss most or all of next season.

The Rays revealed last week that Townsend, the eighth pick in the 2005 draft, had a torn UCL, but they wanted to get a second opinion before scheduling surgery.

A veteran pitcher could try to make it back after the All-Star break, but the Rays are going to be careful with Townsend, the eighth overall pick in this year’s draft. If all goes well, he’ll be back to full strength for the start of 2007.

Tampa Bay took Townsend with the eighth overall pick in this week’s draft. He was picked in the same spot last year by Baltimore, but did not sign. He will reportedly make about $150,000 more than the Orioles’ best offer.

Townsend will get a bonus of about $1.5 million. Since he’s had a year off, he’ll head to extended spring training for a little while before being assigned to a minor league club.

Townsend also went eighth overall last year, but he elected not to sign with the Orioles. Because of his lack of a quality third pitch to go along with a 94-mph fastball and a curve, the product of Baylor is viewed as a reliever by some. The Rays are unlikely to remove him from the rotation anytime soon.

The Devil Rays expect Townsend, who was the eighth overall pick in June’s draft, to resume pitching ''in a week or two.’'

Townsend, who was the eighth overall pick in this June’s draft, pitched two scoreless innings.

He struck out eight. Townsend, the eighth overall pick in the 2005 draft, is 5-6 with a 3.95 ERA, 55 H and 68/31 K/BB in 68 1/3 innings in the Sally League. The Rays might want to move him up a level for the final two months of the minor league season.