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The future is beginning for the Devil Rays

Jun 5, 2007 - 2:05 PM Tampa Bay (24-31) at Toronto (27-29) 7:07 pm EDT

TORONTO (Ticker) - The Tampa Bay Devil Rays have had no problem developing top hitting talent in their 10-year existence. Pitching has been another story.

The Devil Rays will introduce one of their top pitching prospects, Andy Sonnanstine, to the major leagues on Tuesday when they visit the Toronto Blue Jays.

Tampa Bay has never had a homegrown hurler win 10-plus games in a season, but with James Shields 5-0 after Monday's win, and the top talent at Class AAA Durham ready to break through, its luck may be changing.

Sonnanstine (NR), who the Devil Rays drafted in the 13th round in 2004 out of Kent State University, rolled through the minors, going 6-4 with a 2.66 ERA in 11 starts this season at Durham.

The 24-year-old righthander is among a group of four pitchers at Durham who could take their shot this season for struggling Tampa Bay, including lefthander J.P. Howell, who surrendered one run and five hits over eight innings to earn a win in his first start of the season on Sunday.

The Blue Jays will counter with staff ace Roy Halladay (5-2, 3.90 ERA). The veteran righthander came back from the disabled list in fine form last Thursday, tossing seven scoreless innings to earn a win over the Chicago White Sox.

Halladay has dominated Tampa Bay in the past, owning a 9-4 career mark with a 3.30 ERA in 22 games - 19 starts. The 30-year-old won his first start of the season against the Devil Rays on April 8, yielding three runs and seven hits in seven innings.