Xavier Cedeno, former Nationals reliever, finds comfort zone in Tampa Bay

By Andrew Walsh - The Washington Times - Thursday, June 18, 2015

Xavier Cedeno has finally found his comfort zone in the Tampa Bay Rays’ bullpen.

As of Thursday, the left-hander had pitched 13 2/3 innings for the Rays with a 3.29 ERA and nine holds. The major-league workload has already been his heaviest since he pitched 31 innings in 44 games with the Houston Astros in 2012.

His three-year career with the Washington Nationals wasn’t exactly stimulating. He pitched only 16 innings in the majors during that stretch, constantly optioned back and forth from the Nationals to Triple-A Syracuse.

Cedeno is satisfied with his place in the Rays organization.

“It’s a whole different organization here and a young team,” Cedeno said. “It’s been great so far. The team is good and the guys are awesome.”

Cedeno, a native of Guayanilla, Puerto Rico, has embraced his role as a lefty specialist — one that he had grown accustomed to in past years with Washington and Houston. In 23 appearances, he has faced 71 batters, only one of whom stepped to the plate after Cedeno had thrown more than 15 pitches.

“I’m doing what I can to help the team with the role I’m in,” Cedeno said. “It’s always good to know what you’re getting into and prepare yourself the correct way.”

Cedeno was drafted in 2004 by the Colorado Rockies as a starter, and morphing into a lefty specialist 11 years later might not have met his expectations. Yet, Cedeno plays a more intricate role in Tampa Bay’s bullpen than one would presume.

He’s fourth in total appearances, behind Kevin Jepsen, Steve Geltz, and Brad Boxberger, the Rays’ leader with 15 saves, but his role may be diminishing.

Cedeno was acquired to take the role of left-handed pitcher Jeff Beliveau, who tore a labrum and required shoulder surgery in April. Recently, the Rays have had up to four different lefties in their bullpen — Cedeno, Jake McGee, C.J. Riefenhauser and Enny Romero, though on Wednesday, the Rays optioned Riefenhauser to Triple-A Durham. Romero has an 8.64 ERA over eight innings, while McGee has a history of pitching in the closer and set-up role for Tampa Bay.

Cedeno doesn’t seem preoccupied with his responsibilities, as winning seems to be his motivation.

“We’re just looking for a chance to prove ourselves,” Cedeno said. “It’s been great so far — we’re all coming together.”

• Andrew Walsh can be reached at awalsh@washingtontimes.com.