ST. PETERSBURG -- A day after Rays manager Kevin Cash said that Chris Archer (left abdominal strain) has had a mild setback, the right-hander talked to reporters about his status.
"I just came away from my bullpen [session] a little more sore the next day than I would have liked," said Archer, who has been on the disabled list since June 5. "So it just tells us I need to rest a little bit longer."
When asked about when he might return, Archer said he didn't know, that he was playing things by ear.
"If I'm on the DL, I want to come back 100 percent," Archer said. "Because I'm not doing anybody any favors by coming back any less than that.
"...Whenever I start to throw with no soreness, then it will start to progress. But for now, just a little too sore a day or two after throwing off the mound."
Archer said that his injury doesn't feel worse than when he originally felt pain.
"I don't think it's necessarily a setback. I think it's more he just doesn't feel quite right for whatever reason," Cash said. "We have to allow him the time, when he gets back off the mound again, that he does feel good. The last thing you want him to do is try to pitch through something to alter his mechanics. Alter his delivery to where it affects something more serious, like his arm."
Cash said Archer is "penciled in" to have a couple of days off. He'll continue to throw, just not off the mound.
"Any discomfort he's felt has been when he was on the mound," Cash said. "So we can kind of keep his arm in shape better than just shutting him down. But saying that, yes, the longer he's not getting off the mound, the longer buildup it's going to take to get back on the mound."
Ten years for Sergio
Sergio Romo got the final three batters in the ninth inning of the Rays' 8-4 win Monday night over the Blue Jays. Monday was a special day for Romo, as it marked 10 years in the Major Leagues for the veteran right-hander.
Rays players gathered to watch a video tribute, eat cake and present Romo with a bottle of tequila.
"It was a pretty awesome day yesterday, in general," said Romo, who cited all the good things that happened to the team in Monday night's game. "I got hugs from everybody. It's almost like everybody knew what yesterday meant to me personally, and they made it a point to acknowledge it. What an honor. I was super happy yesterday."
What does accruing 10 years in the Major Leagues mean?
"Honest, for me, it's the official statement that I definitely beat the odds 100 percent," Romo said. "Anybody who ever doubted me, it's one of those 'I-told-you-so' moments."
Hechavarria feels good
Shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria went 0-for-3 in a six-inning rehab start for Class A Advanced Charlotte on Monday. The shortstop took Tuesday off, and he said everything was good -- he had no pain, just his timing at the plate was off a bit.
Hechavarria was asked about the arrival of top prospect Willy Adames to play shortstop, and how having Adames around might affect him.
"It's out of my control," Hechavarria said. "Obviously he's up, and it's a situation that the team decided to do. So there's nothing I can do to control that situation."