Before Thursday’s series opener against the Yankees, the Tampa Bay Rays placed All-Star Brandon Lowe on the 10-day Injured List with a right shin bone bruise, retroactive to Wednesday.
Lowe, who was named as an All-Star replacement on Wednesday, fouled a ball off his shin Tuesday but remained in the game after talking things over with a trainer and Rays manager Kevin Cash. Yet after singling against the shift, he was unable to run down the line and limped his way into first base instead. Lowe exited the game in favor of pinch runner Yandy Diaz.
Everything we’re getting right now is it’s going to be a short-term thing. It’s all about how he responds and continues to make progress. Obviously, he’s still very sore. You do see these things after two, three or four days start to go away and he gets that range of motion back a little bit.
— Kevin Cash
According to Juan Toribio (MLB.com), Lowe walked into the ballpark in crutches and was wearing a compression sleeve on his right leg. But despite still needing some assistance, Lowe said that he’s starting to feel better than he did when the injury occurred on Tuesday.
It’s much better than it was. Waking up the first night was tough, but came in today and got treatment a few times and I feel better. I’m able to walk on it with some assistance, so we’re heading in the right direction.
— Brandon Lowe
Lowe is eligible to return to the club next Saturday for a doubleheader against Baltimore, although there is no immediate timetable placed on his return, so it is possible he could require a bit more than the minimum stay on the shelf.
While the injury will keep him out of the All-Star Game on Wednesday, Lowe said he and his wife, Madison, are still planning to make the trip to Cleveland for the festivities.
We’re still excited to go and take in the experience. I’m pretty positive that things will progress pretty quickly and we’ll be back pretty soon.
— Brandon Lowe
First baseman Nate Lowe has been recalled from Triple-A Durham to take his spot on the roster. N. Lowe is coming off a three-homer game on Tuesday in Durham.
Tampa Bay also optioned righty Austin Pruitt to Durham and recalled fellow right-hander, Jake Faria.