X-Rays Spex

A Below Average Rays Fan Blog

Rays look to salvage series vs. ChiSox on Sunday; Robertson likely out for remainder of season

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Busted out the old timer for Saturday’s reunion ceremony. As it turns, it doesn’t fit very well after a decade. (Photo Credit: X-Rays Spex)

After a back-to-back one-run losses against the Chicago White Sox, the Tampa Bay Rays enter the series finale in salvage mode. The Rays start the day 9-1/2 out of the final Wildcard spot, but seven behind the slumping Mariners, and in need of a victory to stay above the .500 mark.

As Neil Solondz (Rays Radio) noted, Tampa Bay now has had 19 losses this year when allowing three runs or fewer, and 11 defeats when giving up two runs or less. That’s the most in the majors in each category. The Rays are now 20-25 in one-run games.

Brandon Lowe, promoted to the big leagues yesterday, is slated to make his Major League debut this afternoon for the Rays. When he takes the field, he will become the 20th rookie used by the team this season — extending a club record, which also is the most in the majors.

The rush of emotions was unbelievable, said Lowe. Honestly, it’s all pretty shocking to me. I wasn’t thinking of it at all.

I wrote about the 2015 third-round pick from Maryland yesterday:

The Rays promoted INF/OF Brandon Lowe from Triple-A Durham to fill Robertson’s spot on the roster. Lowe has had a tremendous year thus far, slashing .291 BA/.400 OBP/.508 SLG/.908 OPS/.404 wOBA/153 wRC+, with 37 runs, 41 RBI, and eight home runs with Double-A Montgomery. He was promoted to Durham (when Jake Bauers made the leap to the bigs) where he performed to a .304 BA/.380 OBP/.613 SLG/.993 OPS/.432 wOBA/177 wRC+ line, with 36 runs, 35 RBI, and 14 homers in 45 games (205 plate appearances).

Lowe was ranked the ninth best second base prospect by MLB Pipeline, and the 30th best Rays prospect by Baseball America prior to the start of the 2018 season. A good comparison to Lowe would be Joe Panik, although the biggest difference between the two would be defensive abilities. To his credit, Lowe has good footwork and defensive skills at second base, but he did have his share of defensive woes in Double-A last season, which could be attributed to a pair of injuries; a torn ACL in 2013 and a broken left fibula in 2015.

Lowe has had a quick ascension through the Rays system, winning MVP honors just a season ago with the advanced Class-A Florida State League, then jumping two levels in the 2018 campaign.

However, Lowe’s ascent arose out of a closed door/open window type of scenario when UTL Daniel Robertson was placed on the 10-day DL with a left thumb sprain.

Robertson saw team hand specialist Dr. Doug Carlan this morning, and the prognosis was not good, which Rays manager Kevin Cash spoke to.

We probably knew that surgery, or no surgery, he was going to miss most of the (remainder of the) season, if not all of it. (Robertson has been) such a big part, even once the game started (Saturday), not having him out there. Not having him on the bench to do different things, it’s going to hurt. We’re going to need to kind of dive into our versatility a little more.

Robby wasn’t just versatile. He was good wherever you put him, and he was giving good at-bats. So, tough guy to replace.

Robertson will undergo surgery on his left thumb in next few days, likely spelling an end to his 2018 season.

Not good news, said Robertson, who noted he’ll have the surgery either Tuesday or Thursday. I’m not a math guy, but six to eight weeks, and we’ve got about seven weeks of the season left. Probably not going to be a need to push it. If there’s something going on, we’re making a late push, maybe. But it’s something I just have to take day by day to get it cleaned up.

Robertson was diagnosed with a sprained left thumb following Friday’s game against Chicago and was advised to undergo surgery to correct the damaged finger. While an official timetable for Robertson’s return to baseball activities won’t be established until the procedure his conducted, such surgeries typically keep position players sidelined for around two months.

Joey Wendle is expected to serve as the Rays’ primary option at second base while Robertson is on the mend.

The New What Next

Hunter Wood (0-0, 3.05 ERA) will get the start for the Rays, while LHP Ryan Yarbrough (10-5, 4.02 ERA) is available for length. They’ll be opposed by former Ray James Shields (4-13, 4.56 ERA)

Wood will open for the fifth time this season. In the first four outings, he has allowed one run total. Wood opened the series finale against Angels (in the last series) and threw two shutout innings, fanning five.

Yarbrough allowed six earned runs on nine hits and a HBP over five innings on Tuesday. He struck out four. Yarbrough cruised through his first three innings in relatively uneventful fashion, but that all began to change in the fifth — ironically, after he’d been staked to a nine-run lead — when he allowed a two-run home run to Kole Calhoun. A pair of RBI singles followed in the sixth, and the southpaw gave up the sixth run of his outing when Mike Trout took him deep in the seventh.

Shields allowed four runs on five hits across seven innings on Tuesday. He struck out eight and walked three. Shields tossed four scoreless innings before giving up a couple two-run homers, one in the fifth inning and the other in the seventh. Shields now has the second-most losses in the big league (trailing another former Ray Alex Cobb, who has 14), yet his 1.29 WHIP and .237 batting average against are both respectable figures. The right-hander has been susceptible to the long ball — giving up 20 on the season — while sporting a run-of-the-mill 2 K/BB over 144 innings. Still, the workhorse is 3-0 with a pristine 1.37 ERA in four career starts against his former team. Key Matchups: Carlos Gomez (5-11, BB), Kevin Kiermaier (2-4, BB), Tommy Pham (1-3, HR, RBI)

You can read about the series in our preview.

The New What Next: Rays vs White Sox part two — a series preview

Rays 8/5/18 Starting Lineup

Smith RF
Duffy 3B
Bauers 1B
Wendle 2B
Choi DH
Kiermaier CF
Lowe LF
Perez C
Adames SS
Wood RHP

Noteworthiness

— Per Solondz, the White Sox starters have kept the Rays off balance in this series by throwing less than 50 percent fastballs in each of the first two games, and expect Shields to do the same.

— Try not to sound too optimistic or anything, Stu:

Principal owner Stuart Sternberg said feedback from the group of business leaders backing the push for the proposed Ybor City stadium continues to be positive, writes Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) “There’s optimism,” he said. “I’ve met with the business guys a bit, and they’re optimistic, but we’ll see. Having the stadium (design) out there now and everybody seeing it is very helpful to them and ideally it’s helpful for anybody that wants baseball in Tampa Bay.”

As the saying goes, confidence walks in silence, and well…

Rays 8/4/18 pregame notes; Robertson placed on DL, Brandon Lowe promoted

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Daniel Robertson rumbled around third to score a run before he was pulled from Friday night’s game with a left thumb injury. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The Tampa Bay Rays look to bounce back from a 3-2, extra inning loss against the Chicago White Sox — and stay competitive with the Mariners and Athletics — on Saturday, the 10-year celebration of their 2008 World Series run.

For the second consecutive day the Rays received bad news on the injury front, with UTL Daniel Robertson heading to the DL with a left thumb injury.

Robertson suffered a left thumb sprain after sliding headfirst on his leadoff double in the eighth inning, although he stayed in the game long enough to come around and score on Joey Wendle’s single. If he were to require surgery, ala Kevin Kiermaier in April, he likely would miss the remainder of the season. An MRI was taken on Robertson’s thumb this morning, and we are awaiting an updated diagnosis and DL timeline.

I’m supposed to see a hand specialist (Sunday), Dr. Doug Carlan, Robertson said. “And we’ll go from there as far as surgery, if, when. And then I’ll have more info. … I think I’ll be out for a while.

The Rays promoted INF/OF Brandon Lowe from Triple-A Durham to fill Robertson’s spot on the roster. Lowe has had a tremendous year thus far, slashing .291 BA/.400 OBP/.508 SLG/.908 OPS/.404 wOBA/153 wRC+, with 37 runs, 41 RBI, and eight home runs with Double-A Montgomery. He was promoted to Durham (when Jake Bauers made the leap to the bigs) where he performed to a .304 BA/.380 OBP/.613 SLG/.993 OPS/.432 wOBA/177 wRC+ line, with 36 runs, 35 RBI, and 14 homers in 45 games (205 plate appearances).

Lowe was ranked the ninth best second base prospect by MLB Pipeline, and the 30th best Rays prospect by Baseball America prior to the start of the 2018 season. A good comparison to Lowe would be Joe Panik, although the biggest difference between the two would be defensive abilities. To his credit, Lowe has good footwork and defensive skills at second base, but he did have his share of defensive woes in Double-A last season, which could be attributed to a pair of injuries; a torn ACL in 2013 and a broken left fibula in 2015.

Lowe was, curiously, chosen over Kean Wong, who also has had a strong year at Triple-A.

The New What Next

After last night’s ballgame, RHP Austin Pruitt was optioned back to Durham in order to make room for Blake Snell (12-5, 2.27 ERA), who will return to the mound tonight after a stint on the DL. He’ll be opposed by Carlos Rodón (3-3, 3.24 ERA).

Blake Snell threw a bullpen session Wednesday, which appeared to be his final obstacle before coming off the shelf. Across 20 starts (119 IP) this season, he’s performed to a 2.27 ERA/3.43 FIP and 1.07 WHIP with a 10.1 K/9, and a 2.85 K/BB. Snell was placed on the 10-day DL with left shoulder fatigue on July 23. He will likely be held to 90 pitches.

Carlos Rodón fired 7-2/3 innings on Sunday, yielding two runs on five hits and a walk. He struck out six and allowed a home run. Another strong start helped Rodón lower his season ERA from 4.55 to 3.24 in July. The 25 year-old southpaw held the Blue Jays in check for most of the afternoon. He also improved to a 2.33 K/BB after Sunday’s contest. Rodón has allowed two runs or fewer in seven of his nine starts this season. He has relied primarily on a 94 mph four-seam fastball and a whiffy 86 mph slider with short glove-side cut, while also mixing in a 94 mph sinker and a firm 85 mph changeup with natural sink. The left-hander is 0-0 with a 5.19 ERA in two career starts against the Rays.

You can read about the series in our preview, and tonight’s starting lineup is below.

The New What Next: Rays vs White Sox part two — a series preview

Rays 8/4/18 Starting Lineup

Kiermaier CF
Duffy 3B
Bauers 1B
Cron DH
Gomez RF
Wendle 2B
Adames SS
Smith LF
Sucre C
Snell C

Noteworthiness

— Party like it’s 2008! Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) detailed the Rays 2008 team reunion tonight:

Team MVP Jason Bartlett, Akinori Iwamura, Scott Kazmir, James Shields, B.J. Upton headline a group of 20 players from the 2008 team at the Trop this weekend for a 10-year celebration. Alums will greet fans at Gate 1 Friday night (5:10 opening) and Saturday (4:10) and sign autographs at the 20th anniversary exhibit. Saturday is the main event, with pregame introductions, Iwamura throwing the first pitch to Bartlett, and all fans getting an Iwamura bobblehead with the radio call of the final out of that year’s ALCS.

Rays 8/4/18 pregame notes; Pham headed to 10-day DL with fractured foot

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Some of the 2008 Rays squad currently in the house, in celebration of the 10-year anniversary of their World series run. (Photo Credit: Marc Topkin)

On a weekend where the Rays will honor the 10th anniversary of their 2008 World Series run, and after sweeping the Angels in the first three games of the current home stand, Tampa Bay looks to continue an excellent stretch at home. The Rays have won 20 of the last 24 contests under the big top, and start the day 7-1/2 games out of the final Wildcard spot.

The Rays received some bad news; OF Tommy Pham is headed to the 10-day DL with a hairline fracture in his right foot.

Pham was hit by a pitch on the foot in the fourth inning of Thursday’s game against the Angels. He remained in the game and scored on a wild pitch by Angels starter Andrew Heaney, but was pulled a couple of innings later. Per Rays manager Kevin Cash, the initial X-Rays were on “wrong toe,” based on where he felt pain vs. where he was hit. A hairline fracture was revealed after he underwent an MRI early Friday. Pham will miss 2-4 weeks, and the team is hopeful he will return in less than a month.

LHP Adam Kolarek was recalled from Triple-A Durham and will hold Pham’s roster spot for now.

The New What Next

The Rays will star a three-game series tonight against the Chicago White Sox, who are 17-37 on the road this season. The tandem of Ryne Stanek (1-3, 2.36 ERA) and Yonny Chirinos (0-3, 4.21 ERA) will get the start against (7-8, 6.26 ERA).

Ryne Stanek worked around a leadoff and a two-out walk in a scoreless inning of work as the opener on Tuesday against the Angels. He struck out one. Stanek threw 12 of 18 pitches for strikes (67% strike rate) but was limited to one inning this time out, making way for Ryan Yarbrough. The right-hander has posted a strong 2.38 ERA and 1.06 WHIP this season.

Yonny Chirinos gave up four runs (three earned) on six hits and two walks over three innings against Baltimore on Sunday. He struck out three. Three of the runs he allowed came in the first inning, and he was ultimately pulled down by two after tossing 57 pitches (31 strikes, 54% strike rate) in his seventh start of the season. He’s allowed three runs in each of his last three appearances (11-2/3 innings).

Lucas Giolito surrendered five runs on nine hits and a walk over 4-1/3 innings on Saturday against the Jays. He struck out out three. It was a lackluster outing from Giolito, who needed 94 pitches (62 strikes, 66% strike rate) to record 13 outs. This season he has relied primarily on his 93 mph four-seam fastball, while also mixing in an 84 mph 12-6 slider, a 92 mph sinker, an 82 mph changeup with slight cut action, and a 79 mph curveball with sharp downward bite.

You can read about the series in our preview. The starting lineup is below.

The New What Next: Rays vs White Sox part two — a series preview

Rays 8/3/18 Starting Lineup

Kiermaier CF
Duffy 3B
Bauers LF
Cron 1B
Choi DH
Robertson SS
Wendle 2B
Perez C
Smith RF
Stanek RHP

Rays 8/2/18 pregame notes, Glasnow’s start, where HCC candidates stand on using public subsidies for a stadium

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The Rays look for a series sweep against the Angels Thursday afternoon. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

After a 7-2 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday, the Tampa Bay Rays look for a sweep on Thursday afternoon. With an off-day for the Athletics, a Rays win in the series finale would give them an opportunity to enter their upcoming series, this weekend, against the ChiSox 7-1/2 games back in the Wildcard race.

Something to keep in mind, Tampa Bay has an easier schedule than both the Athletics and Mariners, with the majority of the remaining games at the Trop, where they Rays are much more successful. I’m not saving money for a playoff run at the moment, although they’re in the running until they’re not. Whatever the case, it could get interesting these last two months.

The recently acquired Tyler Glasnow, and unknown quantity to a large extent, got the start in last night’s ballgame and exceeded expectations, throwing three innings of one run ball on 48 pitches (34 strikes, 71% strike rate, 21% SwStr rate). Glasnow allowed two hits (including a solo home run), one walk, and struck out five.

Fastball, curveball, slider today, I had a good feel for things, Glasnow said following the Rays’ win. I felt relaxed out there. Overall, the feel in this clubhouse is really good. It’s relaxed, it’s friendly.

Rays manager Kevin Cash had nothing but superlatives for the right-hander, saying,

Probably not going to (throw 70 percent strikes) all of the time. But a great start. If he’s featuring that kind of stuff at a 70 percent clip in the zone, he’s going to have a special career.

On Glasnow’s repertoire … The right-hander threw 24 of 35 four-seam fastballs for strikes (five whiffs), averaging 97.6 mph (and topping out at 99.5 mph); 3 of 5 sliders for strikes (1 whiff); and 7 of 8 curveballs for strikes (1 whiff). He was able to move his fastball all over the zone at will, and played his off-speed stuff off of his heater.

(Location Chart Credit: Brooks Baseball)

The only real criticism for Glasnow, is that he left a fair number of hanging breaking pitches in hittable locations. On of those very hittable offerings was an 0-2 curveball that flattened out over the heart of the plate, and was consequently hit into the Rays tank — thanks a lot, Kole Calhoun. Otherwise, it was an excellent introduction to the flame throwing right-hander, who should have a longer leash his next time out.

The New What Next

Hunter Wood (0-0, 3.38 ERA) will open for the Rays, and will be followed by Jaylen Beeks (0-0, 21.60 ERA), who will make his Tropicana Field debut. They’ll be opposed by Andrew Heaney (6-6, 3.64 ERA).

Wood has allowed just one run in 4-2/3 innings in the three previous outings, and this will be his first appearance against the Angels. Beeks allowed eight runs on 10 hits and three walks over 3-1/3 innings Saturday in Baltimore. Only 45 of his 82 pitches were thrown for strikes (55% strike rate), which is a recipe for disaster for a pitcher like Beeks, who relies upon deception and getting ahead in the count.

Beeks actually wasn’t hit that hard, “sort of placed to death,” as Kevin Cash put it, although the damage was still self-inflicted due to the compromising position he put himself in by falling behind hitters, and throwing only eight first-pitch strikes.

Beeks is well aware of the circumstances leading to his rough outing:

I’ve got to get in the zone more. Just didn’t get ahead of guys and put myself in bad counts.

That made the bad results less concerning to Cash:

It seemed like a lot he was behind, just 1-0, 2-0 on a lot of guys and that’s not him. So that’s something we’re confident he can correct here real quick.

Ideally you’d just like to see him bounce back, throw some more strikes, control the count a little better. We’ll probably have some better outings from him.

Heaney gave up up three earned runs on seven hits over eight innings in his last start, striking out five and walking none. Heaney was efficient in his outing, throwing just 63 pitches through the first seven innings, and needing just 81 (70% strike rate) to make it through eight frames. Heaney, however, cost himself a shot at his seventh win of the season after allowing the game-tying run in the eighth inning before being pulled from the game. It was still another solid start for Heaney, who has quietly been a workhorse over the last two months. This was the seventh time this season he hurled seven innings or more, and has lowered his standard peripherals to a 3.64 ERA and a solid 1.13 WHIP. Heaney’s command has been impressive, with the southpaw collecting 111 punch outs against just 32 walks through 116-1/3 innings this season. Heaney allowed four runs on three hits (including a grand slam) over six innings in a loss to the Rays on May 19. Key Matchups: Daniel Robertson (1-3, HR, 4 RBI)

You can read about the series in our preview.

The New What Next: Rays vs Angels part two — a series preview

Rays 8/2/18 Starting Lineup

Kiermaier cf
Duffy 3B
Robertson 2B
Pham LF
Cron DH
Bauers 1B
Gomez RF
Adames SS
Sucre C
Wood RHP

Noteworthiness

— Wondering where the candidates, running for a seat on the Hillsborough County Commission, stand on using public subsidies to build a stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays? Noah Pransky (WTSP, Shadow of the Stadium) wondered the same, and prepared a voting guide for you. Give the link (below) a look, and forward it to any Hillsborough County voter that may be able to use this guide in August and November.

Remember folks, this issue WILL NOT got to referendum ahead of the January 1, 2019 expiration of the memorandum of understanding between the City of St. Pete and the Rays, which allowed the team to search the region for a new stadium site.

— Jake Bauers enters the day having homered in three consecutive games.

Rays 7/29/18 pregame notes, injury update (Ramos, Snell, Nuno), Archer trade rumors

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Jesus Sucre and the Rays can earn a series split with a win this afternoon, in Baltimore. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

After a pair of blowouts by the Orioles, the Tampa Bay Rays look to bounce back on Sunday, and earn a series split of the four-game set in Baltimore. Tampa Bay is 6-6 this season against Baltimore, but has allowed 10 runs or more in three of the last four games at Camden Yards. In spite of the loss though, the Rays start the day 8-1/2 games out of the final Wildcard spot thanks to losses by both the Mariners and Athletics — but 1/2 game behind the Angels, who will start a series against Tampa Bay on Tuesday.

The Rays have had a tough time on the road over the past couple of months, going 7-19 since May 31st. By comparison, they have won 17 of their last 21 at Tropicana Field. Tampa Bay has allowed at least 10 runs four times.

The New What Next

Yonny Chirinos (0-2, 3.78 ERA) will get the start for the Rays, pitching opposite of Dylan Bundy (6-9, 4.57 ERA).

Yonny Chirinos was recalled from Durham on the last home stand, and he pitched well in his last turn on the mound. The right-hander gave up three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out six in 6-2/3 innings on Tuesday. It was the longest start of his big-league career, as Chirinos threw 87 pitches (60 strikes, 69% strike rate) and faced 27 batters. With Yonny fully stretched out, he should be good for 90+ pitches this afternoon.

Dylan Bundy has allowed at least five runs in each of his last three starts, and he’s given up five homers total over that stretch. Bundy has faced Tampa Bay twice this  season, giving up eight runs in 4-2/3 innings in a 9-5 Rays win at the Trop in April, but blanking them over seven shutout innings in a 17-1 loss in Baltimore. All told, Bundy is 2-3 with a 6.00 ERA in eight career starts against Tampa Bay. Key Matchups: Matt Duffy (1-3, 2B), Carlos Gomez (1-4), Kevin Kiermaier (2-7, HR, 3 RBI, BB), Mallex Smith (4-9, RBI, 2 BB), Joey Wendle (2-6, 2B, RBI)

Rays 7/29/18 Starting Lineup

Wendle LF
Duffy 3B
Bauers 1B
Cron DH
Perez C
Robertson 2B
Smith CF
Gomez RF
Adames SS
Chirinos RHP

Noteworthiness

— With the trade deadline looming on July 31 at 4:00 PM, there is nothing Chris Archer can do but sit, wait, and wonder if he’ll make his next start in a Rays uniform Tuesday night.

Archer told Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) he was “curious” how the situation was going to be resolved after Friday’s so-so six-inning outing.

He plans to distance himself from the speculation over the next few days.

The way I have chosen to handle it is try and be as disconnected as possible. Trying to figure it out is literally impossible.

I’m just trying to enjoy every moment with my teammates regardless of the situation. We have a bunch of young, bright faces in here and it’s fun to be around them.

Atlanta, San Diego and and the Evil Empire are considered among the most interested teams, while weekend reports suggest Los Angeles and Pittsburgh may be added to the list.

Yet still…

Well put, Cespedes Family BBQ.

— The chances Wilson Ramos to be traded by Tuesday’s deadline have diminished with the news that a rehab outing planned for Monday will likely be pushed back due to how his strained left hamstring felt catching Vidal Nuno’s live batting practice during a workout on Saturday in Port Charlotte.

Wilson had a good day but I think he realized that it’s probably not quite going to happen on Monday, manager Kevin Cash said. I think he got really excited and realized once you add some adrenaline in there, it’s not the easiest thing to manage yourself running down a line or popping up out of a catching crouch. So he’s probably going to be a couple more days until we start talking a rehab.

— Blake Snell said his previously fatigued shoulder continues to feel good, although the big test will be a scheduled bullpen session on Sunday.

(That) will tell what’s going to happen, Snell said. (Today) is a big day.

The Rays will likely wait to see how the southpaw feels on Monday before making any decisions, but if all goes well he could rejoin the rotation as soon as Wednesday.

— Nuno’s live batting practice session went well, and he is expected to start a rehab assignment Tuesday with the Stone Crabs.

— Depending on the status of Archer and Snell, Tampa Bay plans to use LHP Jalen Beeks, RHP Yonny Chirinos and LHP Ryan Yarbrough on a modified five-or-six-day schedule, although usually behind an opener.