Riefenhauser placed on DL with shoulder inflammation
Rays recall outfielder Mahtook from Triple-A Durham to take place on roster
ST. PETERSBURG -- Another day, another player on the disabled list for the Rays. On Thursday, left-hander C.J. Riefenhauser was played on the 15-day DL -- retroactive to April 19 -- due to left-shoulder inflammation.
"Given how early [it is in the season], let's be cautious and smart," Rays manager Kevin Cash said.
Outfielder Mikie Mahtook was recalled from Triple-A Durham to take Riefenhauser's place on the roster.
Riefenhauser became the 12th player currently on the DL, extending the club record for the most at one time.
The Rays began the season with six players on the DL and have added six since then. None have been reinstated yet.
"I kind of had a little bit of soreness yesterday," Riefenhauser said. "So they wanted to be cautious. They didn't want me to fall behind, then it might take longer than, what is the DL, 15 days? I don't see it going any farther than that. So, just see how it goes."
"We're just going to call it a little bit of inflammation," Riefenhauser said. "Stuff like that. Soreness. ... Just try to get it right and get back on the field."
Riefenhauser's departure, coupled with Jeff Beliveau's season-ending shoulder surgery, leaves the Rays without a left-hander in the bullpen. Cash noted that his bullpen has several guys who are good against left-handers and also pointed out that Jake McGee should be back in the coming weeks.
Video: TB@TOR: Mahtook gets silent treatment after first HR
For Mahtook, this will be his second stint with the Rays this season. He also spent April 10-16 with the team, hitting a two-run homer off Toronto's Mark Buehrle on April 15. Mahtook's home run was his first Major League hit.
"Good for Mikie," Cash said. "He came up and impacted us in Toronto. Hopefully, he can impact us here."