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So, things have been going less than great for the Rays lately. Last night Brad Boxberger made his first appearance of 2016, after starting the season rehabbing from core muscle repair surgery. It was unfortunately short lived, as Boxxy had to leave the game with what was reported as a "left side muscle strain".
#Rays Cash on Boxberger: "Obviously not good." Team will wait for further evaluation Weds. but sense in clubhouse is he's headed back to DL
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) June 1, 2016
#Rays Boxberger: "It just sucks where I am right now ... It is frustrating battling back from surgery." Strain same side as March surgery
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) June 1, 2016
It does indeed suck Boxxy. Get better soon.
Steve Pearce also left the game early, but Topkin's reports sound encouraging.
#Rays say no further injury with Pearce, that Cash just decided to take him out with score 8-3 at the time
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) June 1, 2016
Links:
The Rays could use bullpen help. Perhaps a return of Lord Farquhar?
#Rays Danny Farquhar has not allowed a run in his last 6.0-IP spanning six appearances with the Durham Bulls.
— Steve Kinsella (@Steve_Kinsella1) June 1, 2016
- MiLB.com has a nice article profiling the return of Jake Hager and his quest for versatility.
- Stadium talk! On Tuesday, the Rays met with Tampa and Hillsborough County to discuss nine potential stadium sites.
- Jerry Burnes at Beyond the Boxscore breaks down some of the next "superstar" shortstops ready to breakthrough to the majors soon. I say some because no love or mention of the absolutely beastly Willy Adames. Sleep on Adames at your peril.
- Clayton Kershaw has given up 5 walks this season. 5 BBs all damn season! That's insane, and Grant Brisbee takes a look at each one of those walks.
- Craig Edwards at Fangraphs asks, "What is the pitching equivalent to a .400 hitter?"
-Also on Fangraphs, Nathaniel Grow pondered some potential legal implications from Biometric Data from wearable tech.
- Chris Mitchell at The Hardball Times done into the idea that uncompetitive wages in the minor leagues might deterring talent. Immediately a lot of folks might argue that "being paid thousands of dollars to play baseball" leaves folks little room to complain, but it's an interesting argument to dive into when you compare median incomes and 10th percentile level payments in specific fields.