The Rays are more likely to place outfielders Manuel Margot and Kevin Kiermaier on the 10-day injured checklist, supervisor Kevin Money advised reporters (together with Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times). Each gamers made early exits from tonight’s loss to the Yankees, and Margot particularly appears to be dealing with an prolonged absence.
Margot needed to be carted off the sector within the prime of the ninth inning. Taking part in proper subject, he leaped into the wall in pursuit of an Aaron Hicks fly ball. He landed awkwardly on his proper knee after the collision and needed to be carted off the sector. Money stated after the sport he’s been recognized with a knee sprain and ominously famous “it doesn’t look good.”
Kiermaier, in the meantime, departed after the second inning. The staff later introduced he was coping with irritation in his left hip, and that concern will apparently require he miss no less than every week and a half. It marked the second time in 5 days that Kiermaier needed to make an early exit, and whereas his newest concern is totally different than the Achilles irritation that compelled his departure final Wednesday, it’ll result in an absence of some type.
Evidently, the lack of a pair common outfielders will drive Tampa Bay to dip into its depth. Randy Arozarena has began at designated hitter in every of the previous two nights, however he’ll now head again to left subject on a roughly on a regular basis foundation. Extremely-regarded rookie Josh Lowe was recalled earlier than tonight’s sport after a six-week stint in Triple-A Durham. He figures to imagine common reps in both heart or proper subject, nevertheless it stays to be seen how a lot of an offensive influence he’ll make. The 24-year-old has solely a .179/.257/.328 line by means of his first 75 MLB plate appearances; he posted large numbers with the Bulls but in addition struck out at an alarming 31.2% charge within the minors.
Tampa Bay has a pair of out-of-options backup outfielders on the energetic roster in Brett Phillips and Harold Ramírez. Each gamers might assume bigger roles with Margot and Kiermaier out, however every would in all probability be miscast as an on a regular basis participant. Phillips is a superb defender however is hitting .172/.238/.291 with a 41.6% strikeout charge. Ramírez is performing on the plate (.297/.337/.386) however has rated as a properly below-average defender all through his profession.
The Rays might flip to a unfastened platoon association between the left-handed hitting Phillips and the righty-swinging Ramírez in proper subject with Lowe enjoying heart, notably in the event that they anticipate Kiermaier’s absence being on the shorter aspect. Former Dodger Luke Raley is on the 40-man roster and hitting properly in Durham, and he may very well be recalled so as to add some offense-first bench depth. It appears seemingly the membership will no less than poke round the marketplace for potential exterior additions, although, contemplating the quantity of uncertainty with every of Lowe, Phillips, Ramírez and Raley.
It has been a tough stretch for the Rays, who’ve been with out their major center infield of Brandon Lowe and Wander Franco and their #1 backstop Mike Zunino for weeks. The losses of Margot and Kiermaier will go away the membership with out 5 of their common place gamers, and it’s little shock the staff has sputtered of late. Tampa Bay has dropped six of their previous seven video games to fall to 36-31. They now sit a half-game again of the Purple Sox for the ultimate Wild Card spot within the American League.
The tough harm information wasn’t restricted to what occurred tonight, as Money additionally supplied a discouraging replace on reliever Nick Anderson pregame. The best-hander has been on the IL all season after present process a UCL brace process final October. His preliminary restoration timeline urged a attainable return across the All-Star Break, however Money stated he’s nonetheless feeling elbow discomfort and can go for additional analysis tomorrow (Topkin link). Extra will clearly be identified within the coming days, nevertheless it appears unlikely the 31-year-old can be again on a significant league mound within the close to future.
