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The Tampa Bay Rays are starting to figure things out again.
After a dreadful slump to begin the month of June, the Rays are 7-3 in their last 10 games and are now back in front of the New York Yankees for the American League East lead.
However, one main piece could be in jeopardy of possibly missing some playing time.
During the Rays game, in which they completed the sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-1 on Sunday, designated hitter Yandy Diaz exited early with an injury. The Rays veteran star was pinch-hit for by Richie Palacios during the bottom of the seventh inning after showing some discomfort in his upper body earlier in the game.
The Rays have designated the injury a left shoulder strain and have listed Diaz as ‘day to day.’
Hopefully, his leaving the game was just a precaution since the Rays were up 5-0 in the contest, which included a sacrifice RBI from Diaz in the early innings.
If he were to miss time, however, it could be catastrophic to the momentum the Rays have recently found once again this season. Diaz is one of only 3 Rays batters who have been consistent all season and, quite frankly, have carried the team to their impressive 48-33 record. He joins Jonathan Aranda and Junior Caminero as a trio of batters who together lead all of baseball in combined RBIs.
Without Diaz, the Rays will be looking for multiple players to step up in his absence. Players like Cedric Mullins and Ben Williamson, who have dealt with their fair share of criticism this season due to their struggles, both hit home runs on Sunday. Hopefully, they can help alleviate that burden if they are without a key piece like Diaz.
With the MLB Trade Deadline quickly approaching, it could be another way for Eric Neander and the Rays front office to get a closer look at their roster to really understand what they need to improve on to ensure they can make a deep postseason run this fall.
Regardless, getting Diaz back in the lineup as soon as possible is the best option available, as no player will be available for trade that has performed as well as he has this season. Thankfully, the team has an off day on Monday as they travel to Kansas City to begin a 6-game road trip. Hopefully, we will see Diaz’s name on the lineup card Tuesday night.
Continue reading...
After a dreadful slump to begin the month of June, the Rays are 7-3 in their last 10 games and are now back in front of the New York Yankees for the American League East lead.
However, one main piece could be in jeopardy of possibly missing some playing time.
During the Rays game, in which they completed the sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-1 on Sunday, designated hitter Yandy Diaz exited early with an injury. The Rays veteran star was pinch-hit for by Richie Palacios during the bottom of the seventh inning after showing some discomfort in his upper body earlier in the game.
The Rays have designated the injury a left shoulder strain and have listed Diaz as ‘day to day.’
Hopefully, his leaving the game was just a precaution since the Rays were up 5-0 in the contest, which included a sacrifice RBI from Diaz in the early innings.
If he were to miss time, however, it could be catastrophic to the momentum the Rays have recently found once again this season. Diaz is one of only 3 Rays batters who have been consistent all season and, quite frankly, have carried the team to their impressive 48-33 record. He joins Jonathan Aranda and Junior Caminero as a trio of batters who together lead all of baseball in combined RBIs.
Without Diaz, the Rays will be looking for multiple players to step up in his absence. Players like Cedric Mullins and Ben Williamson, who have dealt with their fair share of criticism this season due to their struggles, both hit home runs on Sunday. Hopefully, they can help alleviate that burden if they are without a key piece like Diaz.
With the MLB Trade Deadline quickly approaching, it could be another way for Eric Neander and the Rays front office to get a closer look at their roster to really understand what they need to improve on to ensure they can make a deep postseason run this fall.
Regardless, getting Diaz back in the lineup as soon as possible is the best option available, as no player will be available for trade that has performed as well as he has this season. Thankfully, the team has an off day on Monday as they travel to Kansas City to begin a 6-game road trip. Hopefully, we will see Diaz’s name on the lineup card Tuesday night.
Continue reading...
