Snell to return from injury for finale with KC

ST. PETERSBURG -- Just last week, Rays ace Blake Snell thought there was “no shot” that he would pitch on Wednesday against the Royals. But after a bullpen session on Saturday and throwing a couple of pitches off the mound on Monday, Snell felt comfortable enough to start today's series finale.

“It felt a lot better than I was anticipating,” Snell said on Tuesday, after being announced as Wednesday’s starter. “I know the first couple of days I was like, 'There’s no shot that I throw.' It hurt a lot. But once the swelling went away, I was able to take what the foot was giving me and I feel good. I’m ready to go.”

Snell, last season's American League Cy Young Award winner, is off to another good start, going 2-1 with a 2.16 ERA and a 36-to-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 25 innings this season. But he has been sidelined with a fractured right toe since April 14.

Snell admits he still feels discomfort in his toe, which he fractured in his home, but he doesn’t feel it as much when he’s on the mound. The left-hander will pitch with a rubber pad on his toe to help with the pain.

“I think when we first heard the news, you watch him walk and there’s a limp there,” manager Kevin Cash said. “The limp has kind of subsided. I’m not going to deny it, a broken toe is going to hurt for a while. Probably a month. But we’re confident with what he’s doing throwing and especially getting off the mound, it’s not hindering his delivery, there’s no mechanical changes that are needed.”

The Rays and Snell feel 100 percent confident that pitching just 10 days removed from his injury won’t cause any long-term issues with either the toe or his mechanics. The club could’ve elected to sit Snell against the Royals and have him pitch against the Red Sox this weekend, but that would’ve required some shuffling in the pitching rotation.

“It backs everybody up, and if Blake waits 15 days, then we’re talking about shaving more pitches off his outing,” Cash said. “So it was either pitch, or rehab. He’s totally ready to pitch.”

Getting Snell back boosts the rotation, while also helping the bullpen. The Rays were scheduled to go with an opener on Wednesday, which would’ve made it three consecutive games.

“I feel good. I’m excited to go,” Snell said. “It’s good to be back and contributing to the team. I’m just looking forward to it.”

Choi placed on restricted list

Rays first baseman Ji-Man Choi was placed on the restricted list on Tuesday due to a “personal matter,” but the club expects him back for Wednesday’s game. Right-hander Austin Pruitt was recalled from Triple-A Durham.

“He’s just gone for a day,” Cash said of Choi. “He’ll be right back.”

Choi, who hasn’t played since leaving Saturday’s game with left calf tightness, likely won’t be in the lineup on Wednesday.

“I don’t know if he’s going to play,” Cash said. “We’re still monitoring the calf.”

Wood won’t be back Wednesday

Hunter Wood was placed on the paternity list before Saturday’s game, but he’s not quite ready to return to the Rays. Cash said everyone is healthy back home, but it’s possible the club places the right-hander on another list until he’s ready to return to the team.