Initial word is good on status of Rays’ Zach Eflin after knee issue
ST. PETERSBURG — Concerns the Rays had about starting pitcher Zach Eflin leaving Wednesday’s game with left knee discomfort were somewhat alleviated by initial imaging and diagnosis.
An MRI exam Wednesday afternoon didn’t show anything of major concern, such as a torn meniscus, making it possible Eflin could just need rest and treatment by the athletic training staff to get back on the mound. There is some optimism in the organization he could make his next start as scheduled Tuesday at Yankee Stadium.
Eflin, who has had previous injuries to both knees, went straight from the stadium for the exam. He was injured sliding to field a bunt by Garrett Hampson leading off the fourth inning and left after finishing the inning.
“He went to cover the bunt, and it just kind of grabbed him; I think his cleat got caught a little bit,” manager Kevin Cash said after the 7-1 loss.
“I’m happy that he said something. ... We’ve got to protect all of them. The last thing we want him to do — with a guy that’s had some knee issues in the past — is to go out there and try to compete when it’s hurting. I don’t know what to make of it until we get some imaging done.”
Losing Eflin for any amount of time would have been be a serious blow to the Rays and likely accelerate trade talks in advance of the Aug. 1 deadline.
Having lost Jeffrey Springs and Drew Rasmussen for the season and Josh Fleming for an extended period, the Rays are very thin on starters. Reliever Zack Littell is currently holding the fifth spot in the rotation, and there are limited options at Triple-A in Cooper Criswell and Erasmo Ramirez. Plus, ace Shane McClanahan has missed time with a back issue.
Catcher Christian Bethancourt didn’t realize initially that Eflin was hurt, and after finding out later was quite concerned.
“For sure,” he said. “Hopefully, Zach doesn’t land on (the injured list). We’ve just got to pray, and hopefully it’s nothing bad and it’s nothing major.”
Added outfielder/first baseman Luke Raley: “Obviously, I hope everything’s OK and he’ll be able to be back with us, make his next start, whatever the case may be. He’s an obvious leader of the team, and not having him will be really tough.”
Diaz news ‘encouraging’
First baseman Yandy Diaz said his left groin was still tight and sore on Wednesday, but he and team officials were encouraged based on the results of an MRI exam that he won’t end up on the injured list.
“Thank God the MRI came out like it did,” Diaz said via team interpreter Manny Navarro. “I think it might linger a little bit. But I’m going to do everything I can to work and get the treatment so that I can avoid the IL and I can keep on playing.”
Diaz, the Rays’ most consistent hitter, was forced out of Tuesday’s game after stretching for a throw. The Rays were cautiously optimistic at the time he would avoid an extended absence. With the team off and traveling Thursday, a final decision on his status may not be made until Friday in Houston.
“Yandy appears to be doing well, pretty good,” Cash said. “I heard that MRI results were encouraging. So, (we’re) still (in the) same spot hoping to avoid any significant time missed.”
Lynn among trade targets
White Sox veteran Lance Lynn has emerged as one of several starting pitchers the Rays have interest in, but no deal was considered imminent as of Wednesday.
Lynn, 36, is 6-9 with a 6.18 ERA in 20 starts this season with the White Sox, logging 139 strikeouts in 115 innings but allowing a majors-most 28 home runs (and 79 earned runs). Over 12 seasons, previously with the Cardinals, Twins, Yankees and Rangers, he has a 129-93 record and 3.69 ERA.
Lynn would have about $6.8 million remaining on his $18.5 million salary for this year and be owed $1 million on the buyout of an $18 million option for 2024.
USA Today reported that talks between the Rays and Sox had advanced to exchanging names of minor-leaguers who could be in the deal, and to the Sox getting Lynn agree to waive a 10-team no-trade clause that includes the Rays. USA Today also reported the Dodgers were also still interested in Lynn. As a further sign no deal was close, Lynn made his scheduled start Wednesday night against the Cubs.
Miscellany
Rasmussen underwent successful surgery Monday to have an InternalBrace installed on his ulnar collateral ligament, with a targeted return date of mid-2024. … McClanahan is set to start Friday’s series opener in Houston. … The Rays had won their previous eight games against Miami. The complete game by Miami’s Sandy Alcantara was the second thrown against the Rays this season; the Cubs’ Marcus Stroman did so on May 29. It was the first nine-inning CG at the Trop by an opposing pitcher since the Yankees’ Masahiro Tanaka on July 24, 2018. ... Attendance was 20,971; the 14th straight home game at least 17,060.
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