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Two Rays players projected to be starters on Opening Day have been injured by baseballs this afternoon: Starting pitcher Chris Archer and the right handed hitting half of the 2B platoon Daniel Robertson:
Chris Archer suffered a right forearm contusion after being struck by a ground ball in the fifth inning of today's minor league game. He was removed as a precaution.
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) March 23, 2018
#Rays say it’s a right forearm contusion for Archer, that he was removed as a precaution and, most importantly, that it’s “nothing serious.”
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) March 23, 2018
Archer was scheduled for 105 pitches or 7.0 innings.
#Rays Robertson hit by pitch on his left hand and leaves the game and bangs batting helmet on dugout rail as he leaves the field
— Roger Mooney (@RogerMooney50) March 23, 2018
The #Rays say a left hand contusion for Robertson, who will have precautionary x-rays.
— Steve Carney (@stevecarney) March 23, 2018
Robertson is known for taking HBP’s, but not for leaving the game and slamming his helmet when it happens.
We will provide more updates as they come available.
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UPDATE 1:
Archer’s arm sounds fine... if this sounds fine.
#Rays Archer was hit on outside (lateral) of forearm below the elbow by a one-hop comebacker. Had it covered with a pad and compression sleeve when talking to media, but said bruise had some blue coloring and stitches of ball were visible
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) March 23, 2018
UPDATE 2:
Here’s video:
#Rays Archer, answering question on what happened and if bruised forearm impacts availability to start Thursday opener vs. #RedSox: pic.twitter.com/Qd4P2mrUgz
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) March 23, 2018