Afte a day off on Monday, the Tampa Bay Rays begin a two-game series in the nation’s capitals, taking on the Washington Nationals. Rich Hill (6-2, 3.52 ERA) will get the start, taking on Joe Ross (4-7, 4.12 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:10.
Rays Starting Lineup
Lowe 2B
Choi 1B
Franco SS
Meadows LF
Wendle 3B
Kiermaier CF
Zunino C
Phillips RF
Hill P
Nationals Starting Lineup
Schwarber LF
Turner SS
Soto RF
Zimmerman 1B
Gomes C
Harrison 2B
Castro 3B
Robles CF
Ross P
Brosseau Recalled By Rays For Series In DC
The Rays optioned reliever Louis Head to Triple-A Durham after Sunday’s loss to the Los Angeles Angels, and recalled infield Mike Brosseau for this interleague matchup.
“There’s going to be more pinch-hitting opportunities, and his versatility that he brings,” manager Kevin Cash said Tuesday. “And a good chance he could find his way into the lineup with Lester [pitching.]”
After hitting over .300 in 36 games in 2020, Brosseau has struggled at the plate this season, hitting just .182/.264/.382 with four homers and 16 RBI.
Archer Set To Face Hitters Later This Week, Roe To Get Second Opinion
Rays pitcher Chris Archer, who has missed most of the season with a right forearm strain, was scheduled originally to face hitters in a live batting practice session either Monday or Tuesday at the team’s Spring Training facility in Port Charlotte, but Cash said that has been pushed back a couple of days.
“Just a little bit of a schedule change,” the Rays manager explained. “He threw some light bullpens and sides while we were [home]. He might have one more today or tomorrow, and plan to throw to hitters on Friday.”
But for reliever Chaz Roe, who was coming back from right shoulder strain, the news might not be so good. Roe went on rehab assignment to Durham earlier this month, but developed what was diagnosed as biceps tendinitis, and received an injection to try and calm it down.
“I think there’ll be more information coming out soon,” Cash said.
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.