Tampa Bay Raysdesignated hitter Yandy Diaz has continued to operate as one of the league’s most underrated hitters. Now in his eighth season with the organization, he has shown no signs of slowing down.
Throughout his first 44 games, the 34-year-old has posted a .310 batting average, .387 on-base percentage, .866 OPS, seven home runs and 31 RBIs.
On a Rays team that trades nearly every player at their peak, Diaz is one of the few who has remained. He is a free agent at the end of the season, yet it is hard to imagine Tampa Bay moving on. The Rays have been one of the most surprising teams in baseball thus far largely because of his efforts in the batter's box.
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After Tuesday’s victory over the Baltimore Orioles, Tampa Bay secured its eighth straight series win and improved to 32-15, holding the best record in the league.
Even with the win, the main focus after the game was Diaz’s condition. Diaz had an excellent performance, collecting two hits in his first three at-bats, including a home run. However, during his fourth plate appearance in the 8th inning, Diaz was drilled by a pitch.
He immediately left the game with trainers and walked down the tunnel. Carson Williams pinch-ran for him. After the game, Rays manager Kevin Cash spoke with reporters and revealed what he knew about Diaz’s status. Cash shared that Diaz was hit in the fingers on both hands.
He also explained that there would not be a concrete update on the severity of the injury until Wednesday. Diaz was not available postgame, as he was receiving treatment from team doctors (h/t Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times).
Diaz will have a chance to return to the lineup for the series finale against Baltimore on Wednesday, although if there is any discomfort, the Rays could hold him out.
With the Rays playing at this level, they need Diaz healthy long term rather than risking an injury. He is well on his way toward making the second All-Star selection of his career, but a stint on the 10-day injured list would put that in jeopardy and would also be a significant blow to the Rays lineup.
