ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - John Rocker allowed two runs and three hits over one inning Tuesday for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays' extended spring training team. <br>
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The former Atlanta, Cleveland and Texas reliever struck out one and walked one, throwing 13 of 24 pitches for strikes against Toronto Blue Jays' minor leaguers. He was coming off two perfect innings, including four strikeouts, in an extended game last Saturday. <br>
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The left-hander said afterward that he expects to join AA Orlando this week. <br>
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Rocker was confident he could regain the form he had before his career plummeted after the pitcher made insensitive remarks about minorities, gays and others in a 1999 Sports Illustrated article. <br>
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Texas released the once-dominant closer in October, after the 28-year-old player had spent most of the season on the disabled list with bursitis in his left shoulder. <br>
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One of three hits was a single by infielder Juan Peralta, who also doubled off Yankees closer Mariano Rivera in an extended game last week. Rivera was rehabilitating a right groin strain.
