"3B Evan Longoria was so happy to have hitting coach Derek Shelton actually pitch balls to him to hit in the batting cage Sunday morning that they hugged. Well, maybe not, though Longoria joked, "It was emotional.''

Longoria took 20 or so swings, the first time since straining his left oblique April 2 he was allowed to swing at pitched balls, and said he felt great afterward. "It went as good as it could go, no pain,'' Longoria said. "Huge step forward today.''

Longoria will travel with the Rays to Minnesota, with plans to participate in full batting practice on the field by Wednesday and Thursday, then head out on a rehab assignment"