Perhaps the most interesting non-roster invitees in Port Charlotte this spring is right-handed pitcher Naoyuki Uwasawa out of Japan, and he really wants to pitch for the Rays. Unfortunately, the 30-year old is unlikely to have a spot given how many are ahead of him on the depth chart.
But no matter how deep your pitcher depth chart, as Rays fans well know, you never know when you’ll need the next man up.
Uwasawa has no illusions. He knows that he isn’t quaranteed a spot on the squad. But, even if Uwasawa fails to make the Opening Day roster, he wants to pitch for the Rays in the minor leagues.