(My Sportsbook) - Tampa Bay is starting to become the land of second chances. On Thursday the team kept up their recent policy of forgiveness, as the Devil Rays inked shortstop Julio Lugo for the remainder of the year for the major league minimum of $300,000. Tampa also has an option for the 2004 season for about $1.6 million.

The 27-year-old Lugo, who had cleared waivers after he was released by Houston on May 9, had been designated for assignment by the Astros on May 1, one day after he was arrested and charged with hitting his wife in the face and slamming her head on a car hood.

"The (Rays) organization has done a tremendous amount of background work on this situation and we'll just let the judicial system run its course," Devil Rays general manager Chuck LaMar said. "We feel comfortable with the research we have done."

Lugo becomes the second veteran player signed by the Devil Rays this season for the league minimum. Earlier in the year the team came to terms with second baseman Damion Easley, who was released by the Detroit Tigers.

People in Tampa, though, hope this signing turns out a little better, as Easley is hitting a mere .169. However, at the league minimum who can argue with the Devil Rays brass for taking a chance. The same could be said about volatile reliever John Rocker, who has struggled since he signed on with Tampa.

Lugo, though, fits a need for the Devil Rays and will get the bulk of the action at shortstop in place of the injured Rey Ordonez, who could be sidelined another three-to-four weeks because of a knee sprain.

"Obviously, Rey Ordonez is on the disabled list and we don't know for sure how long he'll be there," LaMar added. "Julio gives us a successful major league player in his absence and we're happy to have him."

Lugo, who will join Tampa on Friday in Baltimore, is a lifetime .268 hitter and was hitting .246 in 22 games for the Astros this season.

"We like his ability," manager Lou Piniella said. "He's played shortstop on some good Houston teams. He's got a little power and speed. If we do sign him, we can use him in different situations. Ordonez is going to be out a while."

Lugo still faces a misdemeanor domestic violence charge back in Houston. Piniella, though, is all about giving his new shortstop a second chance.

"Everybody makes mistakes," Piniella said. "You learn from mistakes and you move forward. At the same time, we're trying to improve this baseball team. I don't think there's anyone walking the streets who doesn't regret a few things they have done, including myself.

"I've got no problems with players who have had problems. As long as you learn from them and don't repeat them, I've got no problems."

WHO'S HOT

Rocco Baldelli has hit in seven of his last eight games. He has had more than one hit in six of those and leads the team with a .352 average.

WHO'S NOT

Easley has been atrocious for the Devil Rays this season and is hitless in his last six games (0-for-17). He also has just one hit since April 22.

COMING UP

Tampa continues its 12-game road trip on Friday with the opener of a three- game set against the Baltimore Orioles in Camden Yards. The team will then close the trek with a pair of three-game stops in Texas and Anaheim.