TAMPA — Ozzie Timmons had right hip replacement surgery in mid-November and is happy to report everything is going well with his rehab. He should soon be able to walk without the use of a cane but might not be cleared to throw batting practice when the Rays begin spring training Feb. 21, and that’s fine with him.
So what if he has to wait a few more days? The last time Timmons attended a big league spring training camp was in 2002 with the Braves. Since then, the Tampa native has played in an independent league, Japan and Mexico, and spent nine years coaching in the Rays’ farm system while chasing another shot at the big leagues.