Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer left Saturday’s game against the New York Yankees with one out in the top of the third inning with what the team is calling right lateral forearm tightness.
After giving up a double to DJ LeMahieu, Archer called catcher Francisco Mejia out to the mound, who then signaled for manager Kevin Cash and head trainer Joe Benge to come out from the dugout. The right-hander would leave with Benge while Cash brought in Andrew Kittredge to finish the inning.
The 32-year-old threw 42 pitches in the outing, 26 for strikes. He will be evaluated further Sunday, with the Rays likely making another roster move.
Steve Carney is the founder and publisher of St. Pete Nine. One of the people most associated with baseball coverage in Tampa Bay, he spent 13 seasons covering the Rays for flagship radio station WDAE, first as producer of Rays Radio broadcasts, then as beat reporter beginning in 2011. He likes new analytics and aged bourbon, and is the owner of one of the ugliest knuckleballs ever witnessed by baseball scouts.