PORT CHARLOTTE — Xavier Cedeno was a mystery to nearly all of his new teammates that late April afternoon when he walked into the visitors’ clubhouse at Yankee Stadium.
He was left-handed. They could see that from the glove in his locker. He had twice been designated for assignment since the start of the season, by the Nationals and then by the Dodgers, who had claimed him on waivers. The Rays acquired Cedeno from the Dodgers for cash.
He was quiet. They found that out pretty quickly.
Right fielder Steven Souza Jr. knew Cedeno from their days in the Nationals chain.