"The only official business the Rays concluded Friday was making room for new addition Luke Scott on the 40-man roster by designating catcher Nevin Ashley for assignment.

Of more significance, they continued talks on a multiyear contract extension for manager Joe Maddon, whose deal expires after this season.

But with Maddon leaving today on a European vacation, it's possible negotiations won't be concluded until his late-January return. There is no deadline, and both sides have said publicly they expect a new deal.

Also, in what was a formality, the five eligible Rays filed for arbitration by Friday's deadline: centerfielder B.J. Upton and pitchers Burke Badenhop, J.P. Howell, Jeff Niemann and David Price.

Ashley, 27, has yet to play in the majors, splitting last season between Double-A Montgomery and Triple-A Durham. He hit a combined .263 with eight homers and 48 RBIs.

Ashley made a good impression on Maddon in the previous two spring trainings, and he joined the Rays for the 2010 playoffs (though not active) when Dioner Navarro left after being excluded from the postseason roster."