ARLINGTON -- Starter Matt Andriese exited Tuesday's 9-5 loss to the Rangers with a mild right groin strain, leaving the Rays to ponder what to do with their roster in the coming days.
"We have a lot to talk through tonight," manager Kevin Cash said.
After allowing two runs on three hits in the first, including a leadoff homer to Shin-Soo Choo, Andriese struck out Joey Gallo and Ryan Rua to start the second. Following Rua's strikeout, trainers visited Andriese on the mound. He then left the game.
"It was very uncomfortable there," Andriese said. "It was the second pitch of the second inning, I felt it on a changeup to Gallo. Sometimes, you deal with that. Sometimes, during an outing, you'll have little tweaks that will be there for a pitch or two. And then, they kind of go away. But this one stayed there. ...
"It's pretty frustrating, because I threw six or seven pitches after the fact and just never got better."
Chih-Wei Hu, who was recalled from Triple-A Durham before the game, entered and struck out Delino DeShields to end the second. Hu went 2 1/3 scoreless innings, then was followed by Tommy Hunter, Danny Farquhar, Chase Whitley and Hunter Wood.
Given the nature of Andriese's injury, it's possible he could make his next start, particularly because the Rays have off-days Thursday and Monday. However, the bullpen has been used heavily since Sunday's 15-inning win over the Twins.
So, the Rays must decide whether to put Andriese on the 10-day disabled list and bring up another pitcher, or have Andriese make his next start.
Hu and Wood appeared to be Tuesday's quick fix, so it wouldn't be surprising to see one, or both, get optioned back to bring in fresh arms for Wednesday night's game. Possibilities could include left-hander Blake Snell and right-hander Austin Pruitt.
In addition, the Rays are a man short on the bench after outfielder Peter Bourjos went on the DL with "tennis elbow" on Tuesday, so another position player could also be in the mix to be recalled, perhaps outfielder Mallex Smith.
In other words, like Cash said, there's a lot for the Rays to talk about before Wednesday night's series finale against the Rangers.