The Tampa Bay Rays and Toronto Blue Jays will begin their final head-to-head series tonight at Tropicana Field. Shane Baz, making his Major League debut, will get the start against left-hander Robbie Ray (12-5, 2.64 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:10.
Rays Starting Lineup
Diaz 3B
Cruz DH
Arozarena LF
Margot RF
Luplow 1B
Wendle 2B
Mejia C
Walls SS
Kiermaier CF
Blue Jays Starting Lineup
Springer DH
Semien 2B
Guerrero 1B
Bichette SS
Hernandez RF
Kirk C
Gurriel LF
Grichuk CF
Lamb 3B
Andrew Kittredge talks about the neck tightness that has landed him on the injured list (photo: Steve Carney/St. Pete Nine)
Medical Matters: Kittredge On Shelf, Franco Close To Returning, Archer’s Season Done
To make room on both the active and 40-man rosters for Baz, the Rays Monday placed closer Andrew Kittredge on the 10-day injured list with neck tightness, and transferred pitcher Chris Archer, who had been on the 10-day injured list with left hip discomfort, to the 60-day injured list.
Kittredge said the neck issue has been bothering him for a while, but he had been working through the issue. Manager Kevin Cash says it’s also the reason why you dodn’t see the right-hander in either of the two losses to Detroit.
For Archer, the transfer back to the 60-day injured list will effectively end his season. The 32-year-old will finish 2021 with a record of 1-1 with a 4.66 ERA in six appearances, including five starts. He will be a free agent after the season after signing a one-year $6.5 million deal last offseason.
The Rays have an official timeline for the return of shortstop Wander Franco from is hamstring strain. Cash said after working out at the Trop today, Franco will head to Triple-A Durham Tuesday to begin a rehab assignment. He is scheduled to play both Wednesday and Thursday for the Bulls, with the expectation that he would then be activated from the injured list Friday for the start of the final home series against Miami.