ST. PETERSBURG -- Reliever Jonny Venters left Sunday's 7-6 walk-off win over the Yankees in the 12th inning with a strained right hamstring after trying to cover first base on a bunt play. The 33-year-old was placed on the 10-day disabled list on Monday, and the club recalled right-hander Austin Pruitt from Triple-A Durham.
"I was pretty close to the bag, and [the hamstring] kind of grabbed on me," Venters said. "I've never had a hamstring [issue] before, so I don't think it's real serious. Hopefully it's just a mild strain and I miss as little time as possible.''
Venters had entered the game to face Brett Gardner leading off the 12th, with the score tied at 6. Gardner laid down a perfectly placed bunt and Venters hustled to first, but he pulled up and clutched the back of his right thigh.
First baseman Jake Bauers, who hit a walk-off homer in the bottom of the frame, fielded the bunt, but neither Venters nor second baseman Willy Adames could get to the bag in time for the throw.
Venters was in obvious pain as he wandered off in foul territory before being attended to by trainers. He was replaced by left-hander Ryan Yarbrough, Tampa Bay's seventh pitcher of the game, who got the victory.