KANSAS CITY -- Steve Pearce's right elbow has bothered him all season. Just lately, though, the pain has increased to where it's bothered him more.
Pearce remains available for games, but the Rays hope to give him some time off when they can to concentrate on reducing the pain, which has been classified as tendinitis.
"It's just remained sore," said Pearce, who did not start in Wednesday night's series finale against the Royals. "Just precautionary. Just want to get it taken care of. We've got a long season we're just trying to get it under control right now."
In comparison to how his elbow felt a week ago, Pearce said, "It's starting to affect me."
Pearce said the Rays trainers are "upping the treatment."
"So right now just trying to get it under control," he said.
Pearce's status was a consideration on Wednesday when the Rays recalled infielder Tim Beckham after right-hander Brad Boxberger went on the DL.
The Rays will play in a National League park next week at Arizona, which also factored into the decision.
"But with Pearcy we want to let this elbow calm down a little bit," said manager Kevin Cash, who noted he won't hesitate to go to Pearce if he's needed, but ... "We've got to let the elbow to calm down and having Beck here allows us some depth. Beck can play a lot of different positions."
Beckham flew from Durham to Detroit then on to Kansas City to join the team on Wednesday.
"If I'm in there, I'm ready to play," Beckham said.