Rays will have some decisions to make as players start rehabbing.
The Rays are hoping their slump is behind them. Taking two out of three against the Baltimore Orioles following a five-game losing streak certainly helps. Something else that will definitely help is the return of two-time Gold Glove centerfielder, Kevin Kiermaier.
Transferred to the 60-day DL on June 28, Kiermaier begins his rehab assignment on Thursday down in Port Charlotte. The 27-year old hasn’t played in a game since June 8th and was starting to get hot at the plate. In 22 at bats in June, Kiermaier was hitting .364 before being diagnosed with a hairline fracture in his hip. In 62 games this season he’s hitting .258/.329/.408 with 7 HR and 20 RBI. He is also 10 out of 14 on the bases.
When Kiermaier returns, it’s possibly either Shane Peterson or Peter Bourjos are the odd man out to make room. Mallex Smith has been a difference maker since getting full-time duties and it’s unlikely he would be sent back down.
Robertson joins Kiermaier.
Rookie INF, Daniel Robertson, is also slated to begin rehabbing on Thursday joining Kiermaier down in Port Charlotte. Robertson, 23, has been sidelined since June 25th with neck spasms. In 2017 he’s hitting .224 in 58 games to go along with 5 HR and 16 RBI. Whether or not he will come straight back to the MLB club is something to keep an eye on as the Rays have a slew of infielders currently on the 25-man roster. Trevor Plouffe is a likely candidate to be DFA-ed to make room if they choose to bring “D-Rob” back to the MLB club.
Frustrating season continues for Odorizzi.
As if his struggles on the mound weren’t enough, RHP Jake Odorizzi finds himself back on the DL Wednesday morning with a lower back strain., retroactive to July 25th. Odorizzi is coming off a July 23rd start against the Rangers where he lasted just four innings. Odorizzi is 6-4 in 2017 with a 4.47 ERA in 18 starts.
In other news…
- RHP Matt Andriese (60-day, hip) began throwing off the mound on July 21st.
- SS Matt Duffy (60-day, heel) began hitting/throwing on July 21st.
There is no timetable for either of them as of yet.
