Simpson, Walls exit game vs. Tigers with injuries

ST. PETERSBURG -- Rays left fielder Chandler Simpson exited Monday’s series opener against the Tigers at Tropicana Field in the fourth inning after a painful slide into second base.

Hustling to advance to second on a wild pitch by Tigers starter Ty Madden, Simpson slid headfirst toward the bag. His helmet came off his head, caromed off the base and bounced back at his face. Simpson immediately covered his mouth, which appeared to be bleeding, with his right hand.

After a visit from manager Kevin Cash and first assistant athletic trainer Mike Sandoval, Simpson left the game and walked into the dugout with a towel covering his face. He was replaced by pinch-runner Ryan Vilade, who remained in the game to play left field.

That was the Rays’ second injury-related loss of the night, as shortstop Taylor Walls was replaced by pinch-hitter Oliver Dunn in the third inning. The Rays later announced that Walls exited for “precautionary” reasons due to tightness in his left hamstring. Walls sat out two games in Baltimore last week -- and didn’t play the first eight innings of Friday’s game against the Angels -- due to the same issue.