PHOENIX -- Rays third baseman Evan Longoria was not in the starting lineup for the first time all season Tuesday because of what he described as "total body soreness."
The three-time All-Star, who had started 159 games in a row prior to Tuesday, expects be back in the starting lineup Wednesday in the series finale against the D-backs at Chase Field. The Rays have a scheduled day off Thursday and again Monday following the weekend series against the Astros at Tropicana Field.
"We've been looking for days to get [a day off] and it's not ideal, but I've been sore and it's been a long road trip," Longoria said Tuesday. "It doesn't come at an ideal time, but I need a day off, so I'm just looking forward to one today. I'll be available off the bench and back in there tomorrow."
Longoria, who lives in the Phoenix area, said his entire family is in town and there are "a litany of reasons" why he would not want to take time off, but he wants to be smart about it and "just give it a day."
The Rays could have used Longoria, who was named American League Player of the Week on Monday and is riding a 10-game hitting streak, against D-backs starter Zack Greinke, who shut out the Rays, 5-0, on Tuesday. The veteran infielder is only 4-for-22 against the Arizona right-hander, but he's the team's hottest hitter.
"I was just telling the guys that I hate that it can be misconstrued that I was trying to duck a guy that's pretty good," Longoria said. "I've faced Zack many times and he's a quality pitcher, no doubt about that. I really actually like facing the good guys because when you come out on top, you feel that much better."