Brent Honeywell (center) left live batting practice Thursday with a right-forearm strain. (Photo Credit: Chris Urso/Tampa Bay Times)

Thursday was final day of camp before the Tampa Bay Rays first game of the Grapefruit League season, and it ended on a sour note. Top pitching prospect, right-hander Brent Honeywell, left the mound on Thursday with what initially was diagnosed as a right forearm strain he incurred during a live batting practice session. There is a reasonable fear that the injury could be more significant, the worst-case scenario being a ligament tear requiring Tommy John surgery.

A lot of fingers crossed, GM Erik Neander said.

Team officials said Honeywell would receive treatment and would be further evaluated by trainers and doctors, with an MRI — which would show a more significant — likely. As of now, there is no timeline for the evaluation.

Knowing how much of a competitor Brent is, for him to react the way the way he reacted it is a little concerning, said Chris Archer. We don’t know what’s going on right now, but there’s no way he’s walking off the mound the first time he can throw to big league hitters in his life.

…Hopefully it’s nothing serious, maybe take a little time to get right. We don’t know anything. But definitely concerning knowing how much he cares and how much he was looking for that opportunity to demonstrate what he’s displayed in the minors at the major-league level. And he was looking sharp.

Honeywell had thrown five pitches to catcher Jesus Sucre in his first live batting practice, and then was hurt on his second pitch to Wilson Ramos, a fastball.

Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) wrote an account of the injury, saying:

Honeywell, 22, was facing his second batter of the session when he clearly felt something wrong after delivering a fastball on his seventh pitch, throwing his glove down, and cursing loudly twice. He was quickly checked by assistant athletic trainer Mike Sandoval, then walked off the mound and to the clubhouse.

Ranked among the top pitching prospects in baseball, Honeywell was projected to throw upwards of 93 innings (per FanGraphs) of 4.00 ERA/4.07 FIP/1.4 fWAR baseball following the news of Jake Odorizzi’s departure last Saturday. Suffice it to say, the injury could be a worst case scenario for the right-hander and the team that likely would be depending upon him at some point during the season.

I don’t want to get too far ahead of it, because we really don’t know anything, said Rays manager Kevin Cash. I think his talent kind of speaks for itself what he’s done here in the last two years coming up through the system and really put himself on the map quite a bit at the Futures Game, the way he performed. It’s frustrating whether he’s going to miss a week or a month or whatever it is. It’s frustrating for any young pitcher that was coming in here competing and wanting to put his best forward wanting to make a good showing for himself.

Rays trade Corey Dickerson to Pittsburgh

Five days after designating outfielder Corey Dickerson for assignment, the team worked out a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates, receiving RHP Daniel Hudson, minor league infielder Tristan Gray and cash considerations in the deal.

Neander told Neil Solondz (Rays Radio) designating Dickerson was something he didn’t deserve, but with the slow market the decision expedited the deal which came together.

We felt it was going to be best for us, and at the end of the day despite the look of it, the head scratching the things that happened up front, I believe it was something that gave Corey the best opportunity to land the best role for him as he moves forward, said Neander.

Hudson, 30, posted a 2-7 record with a 4.38 ERA over a career-high 71 appearances with the Pirates last season (61.2 IP). While his overall numbers in 2017 aren’t eye-bulging, in his last 46 appearances (June 2 through the end of the season) Hudson posted a 3.43 ERA (39-1/3 IP) and .211 OBA.

Hudson has been used almost exclusively as a reliever since rehabbing from his second Tommy John surgery in 2015, posting a 9-12 record with a 4.46 ERA over that span, with 195 strikeouts in 205 appearances (189-2/3 IP).

This is a player that we’ve pursued for some time and like some of the ingredients that he has, said Neander. The expectation is he’s going to be in the mix and competing for a bullpen spot. At this point nothing is going to be handed to him. This is going to be a wide open competition and we’re going to do the best … to do something to help him out.

Gray, who likely is the key piece in the deal, was selected by the Pirates in the 13th round of the 2017 draft out of Rice University. In his first professional season with Short-A West Virginia, Gray hit .269 with 25 extra base hits (12 doubles, six triples, seven home runs) 37 runs batted in and an .815 OPS over 53 game.

We’re a good bit higher on the talent than where he was drafted, said Neander. Lean athletic body, should really grow into man’s strength and carry it well. Loose swing, strong swing, pretty looking swing from the left side of the plate. I feel like right now he has a chance to play shortstop.

The New What Next

The Rays posted lineups for their two-games on Friday (Port Charlotte vs. the Pirates, Sarasota vs. the Orioles) to start the Grapefruit League season.

Things will likely change before Opening Day, but for what it’s worth the Rays have Denard Span leading off, Matt Duffy hitting second, Kevin Kiermaier in the third slot, Wilson Ramos hitting cleanup, and Brad Miller hitting fifth in Port Charlotte.

After Friday, many of the regulars will be split up, as Cash does not want them yet playing back-to-back days.

Rays 2/23/18 Starting Lineup (Port Charlotte)

Span LF
Duffy 3B
Kiermaier CF
Ramos C
Miller 1B
Hechavarria SS
Smith RF
Coats DH
Robertson 2B

Vidal Nuno will get the start for the Rays while Austin Pruitt, Ryne Stanek, Diego Castillo, Colton Murray, Cody Hall, Edwin Fierro and Dan Runzler are also expected to pitch.

Rays 2/23/18 Starting Lineup (Sarasota)

Johnson LF
Wendle 2B
Adames SS
Bauers 1B
Schimpf 3B
Field CF
Williams RF
Monell DH
Moore C

Yonny Chirinos will get the start for the Rays while Andrew Kittredge, Ryan Weber, Hunter Wood, Ian Gibaut, Forrest Snow, Adam Kolarek and Kyle Bird also expected to pitch.

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