Rays’ Ji-Man Choi sidelined 7-10 days with knee issue - Tampa Bay Times

erotoko.blogspot.com

PORT CHARLOTTE — Rays first baseman Ji-Man Choi will be sidelined at least 7-10 days due to right knee soreness, with his availability to start the season April 1 to be determined toward the end of that period.

An MRI exam showed inflammation, and nothing worse, and after an exam by Dr. Koco Eaton the Rays are hoping rest and rehab will help. Choi has reported soreness and/or tightness a couple times during camp.

“We’re not overly concerned,” manager Kevin Cash said after Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Minnesota. “We’ve got to let this play out. I think we’ll have a better sense probably in a week or so of where we’re at.”

Related: Building camaraderie a challenge amid coronavirus concerns

In Choi’s absence, the Rays will continue to use Yoshi Tsutsugo as a left-handed hitting option at first base, as he had been getting more work there anyway. Yandy Diaz and Mike Brosseau are right-handed hitting options.

Choi, who has a $2.45 million salary after beating the Rays in arbitration, said his workouts were limited during the offseason due to coronavirus shutdowns in his native Korea. He hit .230 in 42 games last season, missing the final three weeks of the regular season with a left hamstring strain. He returned to go 10-for-40 in the postseason.

“I think there’s a lot of guys that have certainly have a lot of inflammation in their knees and their elbows and stuff like that and sometimes it just flares up,” Cash said. “And I think it’s flaring up for him right now.”

Hill thrilled

Rays starting pitcher Rich Hill works against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning of a spring training baseball game Saturday in Port Charlotte. [ JOHN BAZEMORE ]

Veteran lefty Rich Hill was understandably pleased with the considerable progress he showed Saturday in his second spring outing, allowing just a hit and a walk over three innings while throwing 36 pitches.

In his first, on March 5, he faced six batters and didn’t get a single out, throwing 27 pitches, many up in the zone.

The difference was clear, the product of Hill opting to throw two live batting practice sessions in between to get his delivery in order and synched up.

“The conviction behind every pitch, that was the biggest difference,” Hill said. “Getting on top of the ball, throwing the ball downhill. committing to the pitch and the task at hand right there.”

Cash liked what he saw, and also that Hill was efficient enough to work a third inning, putting him in line to reach the five-inning, 75-pitch mark by opening day.

Honeywell faces hitters

Brent Honeywell threw to hitters in a live batting practice/simulated game, taking another step forward after a fourth elbow procedure and toward his big-league debut. “I think everybody walked away very encouraged,” Cash said. “The fastball velocity was really good. The changeup, the breaking ball, everything he threw just was really crisp, really sharp. Just excited for him. I think most of our entire camp was out there watching. … There’s a lot of people pulling for Brent to get that opportunity to be healthy and contribute in whatever capacity.” … Michael Wacha threw three-plus innings in the same game.

Game details: Twins 1, Rays 0

Like Hill, veteran reliever Chaz Roe had a much improved second outing, throwing a 1-2-3 inning with 11 pitches. Roe said the key was being aggressive with his fastball and sinker in the zone, then expanding with his trademark slider. … Randy Arozarena got his third spring hit, first since March 4, and made a sliding catch in right. … Lefty Cody Reed had a third hitless outing, clocking 95 mph. The Rays (4-8) had only two hits over the eight-inning game, with only one baserunner (a Garrett Whitley walk) over a span of 21 plate appearances between Arozarena’s single in the first and Blake Hunt’s single in the eighth with 12 strikeouts.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

"with" - Google News
March 14, 2021 at 04:18AM
https://ift.tt/3eBYfXC

Rays’ Ji-Man Choi sidelined 7-10 days with knee issue - Tampa Bay Times
"with" - Google News
https://ift.tt/3d5QSDO
https://ift.tt/2ycZSIP

Bagikan Berita Ini