Elliot Johnson News

There aren't many quality catchers in baseball. There are certainly more capable pitchers around.

The Minnesota Twins have started to swing the bats pretty well the last few weeks, their offense shrugging off the early season struggles to live up to the potential they envisioned when they broke spring training.

It was a short and anything but sweet night for Jon Lester, who allowed three homers and seven runs in four innings.

Matt Joyce hit his second grand slam in six games and Elliot Johnson had a two-run shot to lift the Tampa Bay Rays to their third straight win, 7-4 over the Boston Red Sox on Friday night in a game that saw the benches empty... Matt Joyce hit his second grand slam in six games and Elliot Johnson had a two-run shot to lift the Tampa Bay Rays to ... (more)

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Alex Cobb delivers to the Boston Red Sox during the first inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston, Friday, May 25, 2012.

Third baseman Evan Longoria made six errors before he was injured, and the resulting shuffling of the defense has forced a lot of infielders to play out of position.

In Major League Baseball last night, for the most part pitching was the focus as half the teams in the majors, 15, scored three runs or less.

Moore's fastball was dominant. He threw 64 fastballs, averaging over 97 mph and getting a swinging strike nearly 11% of the time.

Pena currently does sport a .353 OBP, but even that is not enough to warrant throwing him into the No.

The injuries just keep raining down on the Rays. And the result is that we're seeing new face after new face.

During his rookie season in 2009, when he was a member of the Cleveland Indians, Chris Gimenez found himself catching on the days David Huff pitched.

From left, Matt Joyce is greeted at home by Elliot Johnson, Chris Gimenez and B.J. Upton after hitting a go-ahead grand slam in the third inning.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Tommy Hanson delivers in the first inning to the Tampa Bay Rays during an interleague baseball game, Friday, May 18, 2012, in St.

The Hardball Times Baseball Annual 2012 , an annual "must buy" for all baseball fans, is now shipping.

When : 7:10 p.m. Friday , 4:10 p.m. Saturday , 1:40 p.m. Sunday . Batting: Martin Prado was 16-for-34 with five doubles and two strikeouts during an eight-game hitting streak before Thursdaya .

Doubront out a couple of batters on - Keppinger with a single and Elliot Johnson with a walk, but kept his composure and didn't allow a run.

So here's Elliot Johnson, who in his time spent nearly nine full seasons in the minor leagues, who has some major-league at-bats currently in witness protection, tearing the cover off the old horsehide for the Rays.

I recognize that injuries happen every year, but this year seems different. In particular, it seems as if more stars have already fallen to injury than normal.

The Rays acquired outfielder Rich Thompson from the Phillies on Wednesday in exchange for Minor League outfielder Kyle Hudson.

Hellickson allowed one run and five hits en route to winning a career-best sixth consecutive decision, dating to Sept.