Rays vs. Blue Jays: Reliever Andrew Kittredge on injured list

Marc Topkin, Tampa Bay Times
·2 min read
Rays vs. Blue Jays: Reliever Andrew Kittredge on injured list
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays placed top reliever Andrew Kittredge on the 10-day injured list due to neck tightness.

Kittredge, who emerged this season as the Rays’ most dependable reliever in high-leverage situations, is eligible to return Sept. 28, as the Rays open a regular season-ending six-game road trip to Houston and New York. (The move was backdated to Sept. 18.) In 54 games, Kittredge is 9-3, 1.55, with seven saves.

Kittredge said the neck has been an issue on and off over the last couple weeks but the move is “precautionary” and he fully expects to be back when eligible.

Putting Kittredge on the injured list opened a spot on the 28-man roster for rookie starter Shane Baz, who is making his major-league debut tonight against the Blue Jays.

To make room on the 40-man roster for Baz, the Rays shifted Chris Archer to the 60-day injured list, which ends his frustrating and disappointing season.

Archer, who signed a one-year, $6.5 million deal to return to the Rays this year, made two appearances before being sidelined mid-April with a forearm injury, then returned in August and made four appearances before being sidelined by left hip soreness. He has been away from the team in the last week seeking additional opinions on the hip issue.

Also, manager Kevin Cash said rookie shortstop Wander Franco is headed to Triple-A Durham to play rehab games Wednesday and Thursday, and if all goes well with his previously strained right hamstring, he will rejoin the Rays and be activated Friday.

Here is the Rays lineup, which will have the difficult challenge tonight of facing Jays lefty, and Cy Young candidate, Robbie Ray:

And for the Blue Jays:

• • •

Sign up for the Rays Report weekly newsletter to get fresh perspectives on the Tampa Bay Rays and the rest of the majors from sports columnist John Romano.

Never miss out on the latest with the Bucs, Rays, Lightning, Florida college sports and more. Follow our Tampa Bay Times sports team on Twitter and Facebook.