The Tampa Bay Rays need a win in Thursday’s finale against the New York Yankees in order to avoid being swept in the three-game series. Rich Hill (1-1, 5.17 ERA) will get the start, taking on jameson Taillon (1-2, 5.02 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:10.
Rays Starting Lineup
Arozarena LF
Meadows DH
Margot RF
Lowe 2B
Diaz 1B
Wendle SS
Smith C
Phillips CF
Brosseau 3B
Yankees Starting Lineup
LeMahieu 2B
Stanton DH
Judge RF
Urshela SS
Sanchez C
Ford 1B
Frazier LF
Andujar 3B
Gardner CF
Rays Close To Getting More Pieces Back From Injured List
Rays manager Kevin Cash said prior to Thursday’s game that reliever Diego Castillo, who has been on the 10-day injured list with right groin tightness, is on schedule to be activated Friday. In addition, Cash mentioned that starting pitcher Michael Wacha (right hamstring tightness) and pitcher Chris Mazza (right shoulder inflammation) were scheduled to throw bullpen sessions at Tropicana Field.
First baseman Ji-Man Choi, who returned from his rehab assignment Wednesday, continues to deal with some soreness in his surgically repaired right knee, and will not be activated Thursday. Cash says Choi will have to deal with soreness, and they expect it to be day-to-day as to whether he gets activated.
Yankees’ Torres Tests Positive For COVID, Placed On IL
The Yankees announced Thursday that shortstop Gleyber Torres has tested positive for COVID-19, and has been placed on the COVID-19 Related Injured List.
Torres was the only player held out of Wednesday’s contest due to further testing. The Yankees have seven coaches and staff members that have received positive tests. The shortstop said he had been fully vaccinated and had COVID during the offseason.
To take his spot on the roster, Miguel Andujar was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and will start at third base, with Gio Urshela moving to shortstop.
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.
