Rays feeling optimistic after Díaz departs early with left side tightness
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ST. PETERSBURG -- Designated hitter Yandy Díaz exited the Rays’ 3-0 win against the Giants on Friday night at Tropicana Field after two at-bats due to left side tightness. His status is day to day, according to the team.
Díaz certainly looked healthy as he hammered an opposite-field homer off Giants starter Robbie Ray in the second inning, his fifth home run of the season. It was also his 104th career home run with Tampa Bay, tied with Carl Crawford for seventh most in franchise history.
The veteran only had one more at-bat on the night, a flyout to left field in the fourth inning, and manager Kevin Cash said Díaz appeared to feel some discomfort around his left oblique when he took the first pitch of that at-bat, a curveball down and inside. Díaz swung at the second pitch, a changeup below the zone, and flied out softly to left field.
Jonathan Aranda was on deck to pinch-hit for Díaz in the sixth inning and hit in his spot to lead off the seventh.
Díaz did not speak to reporters after the game. Cash reiterated that he is “going to be day to day” and said they would re-evaluate him before Saturday night’s game.
“I’m optimistic that we caught it early enough that he’ll be all right,” Cash said.
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Díaz is off to a scorching start for the Rays this season, batting .333 with a .926 OPS to go along with 21 RBIs. His homer on Friday night was also his 300th career extra-base hit and his 283rd with the Rays, tying Carlos Peña for the seventh most in franchise history.
Díaz has started each of the Rays’ first 31 games, initially serving as the club’s primary leadoff hitter before recently moving into more regular duty as Tampa Bay’s cleanup man. He has yet to play in the field this season, with all of his work coming as the DH.