Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Ji-Man Choi‘s right knee has been sore throughout most of Spring Training, and now it’s going to cause him to miss some more time.
Manager Kevin Cash said Saturday that Choi was examined by team doctor Koco Eaton, and after undergoing a MRI, was diagnosed with inflammation in the knee.
“He’s probably going to miss some time,” Cash said after Saturday’s 1-0 loss to the Minnesota Twins. “We’re not overly concerned. The doctor looked at it. We’re probably going to shut him down for a week to ten days and then reevaluate and go from there.”
Cash explained that players can experience inflammation in the knee and elbow joints and he believes that’s what Choi is experiencing. However, he feels it’s still too early to determine if Choi will not be ready for Opening Day April 1 against Miami.
“I think we’ve got to let it play out,” Cash said. “We’ll have a better sense probably in a week of where we’re at.”
The 29-year-old first baseman will be limited to rest, rehab, and recovery, which will allow Yandy Diaz and Yoshi Tsutsugo to get more reps at first base during games.
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.
