ST. PETERSBURG -- Steven Souza Jr. was placed on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to Wednesday) with a left hip strain after getting up awkwardly on a play in the outfield on Tuesday. Blake Snell, who was called up to be the starting pitcher in Thursday's 6-4 loss to the Mariners, took his spot on the roster. He allowed five runs (one earned) in 3 1/3 innings.
Souza, the club's right fielder, was hitting .255 with 10 homers and 25 RBIs. He dove for a ball in right field in the seventh inning of an 8-7 win, but he fell back to the turf as he tried to get up. The club waited until Thursday to make the move official to see if his condition improved. X-rays came back negative.
Jaff Decker was called up on Wednesday to replace Dana Eveland, who was designated for assignment. Decker, who got a call at 11 a.m. in Buffalo that he'd be back in the Majors and at Tropicana Field that night, will help provide outfield depth on the big league roster with Souza out.
"The run that the guys are on right now, it's fun to be a part of it," Decker said. "The 13-inning win last night. I've been a part of other teams in Pittsburgh and San Diego. And when you get called up for an opportunity like this, it's always an opportunity to help."
Decker has a career .161 batting average over three seasons with the Padres and Pirates. His lone Major League home run came in 2013.
Longoria out
Evan Longoria was not be in the starting lineup for the second time in nine days with a tight left forearm.
Longoria exited in the 13th inning on Wednesday after a check-swing caused it to flare up. With a day game after a long game the night before, the Rays kept him out. Longoria said he's available to pinch-hit, if needed. He also said he expects to be back on Friday.
"We're going well right now," Longoria said. "It's definitely not a day I'd like to be sitting."