ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Kevin Cash announced during his pregame meeting with the media that right-handed pitching prospect Burch Smith would have season-ending Tommy John surgery on his elbow after the team doctors discovered a torn ulnar collateral ligament. Cash said Smith, who was acquired from the Padres in an 11-player deal that sent Wil Myers to San Diego, would miss the rest of this season and that hopefully he could be back for the start of the 2016 campaign. The 24-year-old righty was a possible candidate for a rotation spot. He missed most of last season with a forearm strain. "He would have been a nice option to have," Cash said.
Smyly update: Drew Smyly (left shoulder tendinitis) will start on April 9 in an extended spring training contest in Port Charlotte. Cash said Smyly would likely throw two innings. Alex Colome (pneumonia) will also make an appearance in the game.
Francisco opts out: Cash said Juan Francisco, who was signed by the Rays in January, has opted out of his minor league contract with the club, making him a free agent. The Rays had tried to assign Francisco to Triple-A Durham on Friday, but the 27-year-old infielder had an option to decline today.
