"RHP Jason Isringhausen has thrown countless spring training innings in a career that has included 293 saves and a World Series title.

But Isringhausen, 36, acknowledged that his Rays debut Sunday -his first outing since offseason elbow surgery - brought back the "jitters." After all, the veteran is competing for a job "for the first time in 14 years."

Isringhausen said he was "tentative" to the first two hitters he faced - a hard-hit triple and sacrifice fly - but got the next two, including a strikeout of Craig Monroe on a nasty cutter.

And he received good reviews from manager Joe Maddon and pitching coach Jim Hickey, who were encouraged by not only what Isringhausen threw but what it said about his health.

"I thought he did really good," Hickey said. "He probably did more than was necessary early in the inning, throwing a couple curveballs and the cutter early, and that's fine. That's just an indication that he feels good. But I was really impressed: good fastball, good fastball velocity, curveballs that were sharp, struck that guy out with a cutter slash slider, which was really, really good. For me (it was) perfect."

Isringhausen said his arm feels good, but he still has work to do in building up his endurance in his arm and legs. He wants to pitch in "every game I can" - likely seven or eight appearances - but Hickey said Isringhausen is right where he needs to be."