Rays’ Yandy Diaz heading for MRI after leaving game with injury
ST. PETERSBURG — Rays leading hitter Yandy Diaz left Tuesday night’s game in obvious discomfort after suffering what the team said is “left groin tightness.” He will have an MRI on Wednesday.
“It hurts a little bit. Still have a little bit of pain,” Diaz said through Rays interpreter Manny Navarro. “Hopefully it’ll feel good (Wednesday) , then (Wednesday) we’re going to get the MRI to see what happened.”
Diaz said he would prefer to avoid a stint on the injured list, but “again, whatever they say, I’ll have to do.”
It is the second time this season Diaz has dealt with a groin issue; he also missed games with a hip issue.
“I think it’s probably all connected one way or another. Every time I’ve got an MRI on it, it probably shows that it’s tight,” Diaz said. “And so I think that’s the feeling I’ve been getting.”
Playing first base, Diaz was forced to lunge hard to grab a throw by Brandon Lowe in the third inning. He got Jacob Stallings out, but immediately reacted with pain.
“Initially when it happened out there, I felt like I pulled something, so that’s why I acted like the way I did,” Diaz said. “But by the time I came in and got some treatment, I think I felt a little bit better.”
Harold Ramirez replaced Diaz.
Diaz has been the Rays’ best hitter this season, even during their July struggles. He has the second-best OPS (.909) in the American League behind Shohei Ohtani. While the rest of the top of the Rays lineup has struggled, Diaz went into Tuesday night’s game hitting .321 with a .387 on-base and .482 slugging percentage in the month of July. He has also hit two home runs.
Whirlwind
Jason Adam still had the hospital ID sticker on his T-shirt after Tuesday night’s game and was heading back after dressing to see his wife and his fourth daughter. Raelynn James Adam was born Monday night and her dad came directly from the hospital to the ballpark.
He pitched a scoreless inning Tuesday — thanks to a catch at the wall by Jose Siri — with one strikeout.
“I mean, it’s chaos but every one of those is such a blessing. They’re so fun. I’m excited to see this one grow up and see her personality,” Adam said of his children. “It’s been a whirlwind.”
Adam said his youngest daughter arrived at 10 pounds, 5 ounces.
“She’s a big dog, but she’s cute,” Adam said.
Looking ahead
The Rays announced they will return to Port Charlotte next year for spring training. The team held its exhibition games at Tropicana Field this past spring after Hurricane Ian damaged Charlotte Sports Park.
“Good news for Port Charlotte area,” Cash said.
“That seems like there’s been enough that has been done there at the facility, that complex, but also in that community. They were hit really, really hard. So I think it is a good thing, and hopefully they’re excited to have us back. We’re excited to be there with them and get back to a little bit of a normal routine.”
The Rays will open their Grapefruit League schedule Feb. 24 at home against Atlanta and welcome the Yankees on Feb. 27. They will host 13 home games in Port Charlotte, with the final spring game at the Trop. The Rays will play two games against the Red Sox in the Dominican Republic on March 9-10.
“We always had a good time in Port Charlotte, and I am happy for the area and to go back,” reliever Pete Fairbanks said. “But it was nice being (at the Trop) this year. It was nice to be able to stay at home. My commute will get a lot longer next year.”
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