The Tampa Bay Rays will be without starting shortstop Taylor Walls after placing him on the 10-day injured list with a right hip flexor strain.
The move, retroactive to Sept. 6, creates a notable hole for the American League East leaders with the postseason approaching. Tampa Bay selected veteran infielder Nick Madrigal’s contract from Triple-A Durham to replace Walls.
To make room for Madrigal on the 40-man roster, the Rays designated right-handed reliever Hunter Bigge for assignment.
Walls suffered the injury during Saturday’s extra-inning win over the Texas Rangers. He has played a key role defensively for Tampa Bay this season, even while producing modest offensive numbers.
The 30-year-old is batting .218 with two home runs, 33 RBIs and 21 stolen bases across 117 games. His defensive value, however, has made him one of the Rays’ most important players.
Walls leads the majors with 21 fielding runs above average, giving Tampa Bay a significant defensive void to fill at shortstop.
Jorge Mateo is expected to take over as the primary shortstop while Walls recovers. Mateo has struggled at the plate since joining the Rays, hitting .128 in 43 at-bats after being acquired Aug. 13.
Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Madrigal gives Tampa Bay another option in the infield. He appeared in 15 games for the Los Angeles Angels earlier this season and hit .273 before joining Durham.
The Rays entered Wednesday 85-58, holding a four-game lead over the New York Yankees in the AL East. They now face the challenge of maintaining that advantage without one of their most valuable defenders.
How quickly Walls returns could become an important storyline as Tampa Bay attempts to protect its division lead and prepare for October.
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