Hank Blalock Says He Won’t Accept Minor League Assignment

Despite signing a minor league contract with the Rays, Hank Blalock says he has no interest in playing minor league baseball this season:

Blalock said this morning he wants very much to stay with the Rays, but also said he has no plans to go first to Triple-A Durham if the Rays don’t put him on their 25-man roster to start the season.

“I don’t have any plans on playing minor-league baseball this year,’’ Blalock said. “At this time in my life, if there’s no major-league opportunities for me then I’ll find something else to do.’’

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“I love it here,’’ Blalock said. “I like the way I’ve been treated, I like my teammates, I like the staff. I’d like to be part of helping the Rays win the World Series. I hope they keep me. … This is where I want to stay.’’

Blalock is hitting .219 on the spring, but manager Joe Maddon said Blalock has “done everything he could to make the team.”