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Yesterday we got word of Brandon Guyer's strained oblique and/or lat, only the "left side" was identified as the pain point and he's listed as day-to-day. Unfortunately, as happens every spring, now the mild injuries are piling up.
Drew Smyly was the first announced, and has strained his throwing shoulder while recovering from an injury to his left middle finger, per reports by Marc Topkin. The Rays were expecting the southpaw to have progressed a bit quicker, and there's some mounting concern he might not be ready to start the season.
Smyly was scheduled to begin his game program tomorrow with a simulation ahead of a Saturday start, but an injury to his throwing shoulder has surfaced:
#Rays confirm smyly is behind, say he has "a little bit of shoulder tendinitis" and are uncertain when he will pitch next
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) March 8, 2015
The finger injury is no longer a concern, but a lack of a Spring problem could lead to other injuries once he ramps up should he be delayed any further, just as has happened with his shoulder.
Burch Smith, Nathan Karns, Matt Andriese, and Alex Colome are currently competing to replace Matt Moore in the rotation while he prepares for the season after Tommy John last season. Any of the four may also be available to replace Smyly should he be sidelined further.
In other injury news, John Jaso had to leave yesterday's game after taking a pitch off the right leg from A.J. Burnett, fortunately "off the meat of the shin." Topkin reports the leg was on ice after the game, and he missed a scheduled start in the outfield on Sunday. Due to swelling, he should be off the field for a few days.
Nick Franklin was likely mildly injured in an at bat, straining his hip while checking a swing, telling Topkin:
"Took the pitch too quick, almost like a little half check swing. I guess I just did it a little too fast and aggravated it a little bit."
Franklin is expected to return after missing only one day.
Quotes via Tampa Bay Times.