More Rays. Here’s a warm and fuzzy (but kind of interesting) article about the newly formed friendship between (now) second baseman Akinori Iwamura and shortstop Jason Bartlett, who have apparently become bosom buddies in the name of forming a good double-play combination.

Shortstop Jason Bartlett’s reading material for a recent post-workout meal stood out even in a crowded clubhouse.

Pitchers played cards. Rightfielder Rocco Baldelli solved a crossword puzzle. But between bites, Bartlett scanned two scraps of paper with Japanese words and phrases.

“Atsui” hot. “Samui” (cold).

“It’s like a study sheet,” he said.

That’s right, Bartlett’s learning Japanese. One word a day. The article goes on to say that Bartlett is so hooked he says his unborn son, which is due in July, will end up speaking Aki’s native language. The article says Bartlett was joking, but it says here that if Jason has any brains he’ll have the Iwamuras teach his kid one of the world’s most difficult languages from birth. Plus it’ll make learning Chinese that much easier.

The duo met just four weeks ago, after Bartlett was acquired from the Twins in the Delmon Young trade. But with chemistry and communication vital between middle infielders, manager Joe Maddon said he wanted Bartlett and Iwamura to become so close, they’d share a last name - think “Iwa-lett” or “Bart-Amura.”

Makes good sense to me. The sync part. Not the cute names. It’ll be interesting to see how this works out defensively for the Rays. Bartlett is one of the game’s best fielding shortstops, Iwamura is playing second for the first time since the beginning of his career in Japan. The jury is out.