The Tampa Bay Rays begin the first weekend of September just six games behind the New York Yankees in the race for the American League East, and percentage points ahead of the Seattle Mariners in possession of the top Wild Card in the league. They welcome the Yankees to Tropicana Field for a three-game series beginning tonight, with Jeffrey Springs (6-4, 2.76 ERA) going up against Domingo German (2-2, 3.19 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:10.
Rays Starting Lineup
Diaz 3B
Margot CF
Choi 1B
Ramirez DH
Arozarena RF
Peralta LF
Paredes 2B
Bethancourt C
Walls SS
Yankees Starting Lineup
LeMahieu 1B
Judge RF
Benintendi LF
Stanton DH
Donaldson 3B
Trevino C
Torres 2B
Hicks CF
Kiner-Falefa SS
Franco To Take BP Today At Trop, Feyereisen Has Shoulder Setback
Shortstop Wander Franco appears to be close to returning to a rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham, as he said he will take batting practice at velocity today at Tropicana Field, and could return to playing games with the Bulls early next week.
The 21-year-old experienced lingering discomfort from surgery on his broken hamate bone in his right hand during his last rehab assignment with the Bulls, but that has since subsided.
One player the Rays will not be getting back this season appears to be reliever J.P. Feyereisen, who manager Kevin Cash said had a setback in his return from a bone bruise in his right shoulder, and appears to be done for the season.
Feyereisen has not pitched since June 2, but in 22 relief appearances this year, was 4-0 and had allowed just a single unearned run.
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.
