"Rays manager Joe Maddon has talked about taking an extended look at C Jose Lobaton, considering he could figure big in the team's plans for next season.

"Going into next year, he'd definitely be a candidate," Maddon said. "And that's why it's vital we see him right now."

But Maddon acknowledged Monday that Lobaton's playing time will come at the expense of veteran C Kelly Shoppach, who will be used primarily off the bench as the Rays go with a catching rotation of switch-hitting Lobaton and John Jaso.

Maddon said he talked with Shoppach about it and he handled it "great." "He understood," Maddon said. Shoppach declined to comment.

Shoppach, 31, has struggled offensively in his two years with the Rays and is hitting .175 this year, fourth lowest in the majors (minimum 200 plate appearances). He has handled the pitching staff well and leads the majors this season by throwing out 44.7 percent of attempted basestealers."