Tampa Bay Rays infielder Yandy Díaz is dealing with knee tendinitis after leaving a game early on Friday. According to MLB.com, he’s day-to-day and unlikely to play on Saturday. Díaz first appeared hurt during a game against the San Diego Padres, where he homered in the second inning but showed signs of pain while running the bases. He stayed in the game and got another hit in the fourth inning, but his discomfort led to his removal. Jonathan Aranda replaced him after Díaz was taken out.
The Rays are currently 66-68 and are preparing for Saturday’s game against the Padres. Díaz has been a key player for the team, hitting .276 this season with 12 home runs and 59 RBIs. Despite his knee injury, Díaz was performing well on Friday. However, he has struggled with injuries over the past few years, making his potential absence a concern for the Rays. The team may need to explore other options if Díaz has to miss more time, with Aranda being a potential replacement, having been called up from Triple-A just before the Padres game.
Recently, Díaz also made headlines for a heated altercation with teammate Jose Caballero during a game against Oakland, which Rays manager Kevin Cash attributed to stress and frustrations. The Rays hope to have Díaz back soon, as they need his offensive contributions in the season’s final stretch. Despite slim playoff hopes, the Rays aim to finish the year with a winning record. Díaz was an All-Star in 2023 and won a Silver Slugger award, finishing the season as the AL batting champion. The Rays are set to face the Padres on Saturday at 4:10 PM Eastern.
