With key stars on IL, Rays look to young players

CINCINNATI -- The upcoming All-Star break couldn't come at a better time for the Tampa Bay Rays.

If they can get there in one piece, that is.

As if the situation couldn't get any more frustrating than getting swept in three games at the hands of the 32-54 Reds -- which concluded with a 10-5 loss Sunday afternoon at Great American Ball Park -- manager Kevin Cash saw several of his most important pieces hit the injured list.

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The Rays entered the series seeking their third consecutive series victory, but had their plans quickly erased after falling in Game 1 on a “balk-off” in extra innings, Game 2 after their bullpen showed uncharacteristic woes, and Game 3 in which their top-ranked prospect Shane Baz failed to make it out of the third inning.

Only nine members of the club’s 28-man Opening Day roster have been active for the full 85 games thus far. And their 15 players currently sidelined on the injured list have a combined 2021 WAR of 22.3, according to FanGraphs, good for 44.2% of their team total from a year ago.

“We’re going to have to [battle through],” Cash said prior to Sunday’s contest. “I think we’ve done some good things. Let's find a way to finish strong through going into this game and then into the [All-Star] break. We’ve learned a lot about ourselves, I think. Some young players have gotten opportunities and it looks like with the most recent injuries, there’s going to be some more opportunities.”

Star shortstop Wander Franco -- fresh off signing an 11-year, $182 million contract during the offseason -- departed Saturday's contest with a hand injury after striking out in the first inning. Franco is set to visit with Dr. Douglas Carlan in St. Petersburg on Monday for a further evaluation, but Cash fears of a hamate injury, which could sideline the slugger for 6-8 weeks.

Cash confirmed that Taylor Walls will get the bulk of the starts at shortstop in Franco’s absence.

As if losing Franco wasn't enough, three-time Gold Glove Award winning outfielder Kevin Kiermaier also hit the injured list for the second time this season, and he too could find himself missing significant time. Kiermaier was able to avoid a longer stint on the IL in June with a cortisone shot, but may not be as fortunate this time around.

A player that’s been known to fly around in the outfield and sacrifice his body, Kiermaier said he’s willing to do what it takes to make a full recovery. Even if that means surgery.

“[I’m] proud of all the stuff that I’ve played through over the last year and a half,” Kiermaier said. “Like I [said the last time I was on the IL], a lot of wear and tear over the years and it’s starting to catch up with me.”

“It’s been a concern,” Cash added. “We’ve known for a while that those injections and treatments only get you so far, and I think that’s where [Kiermaier] is at.”

Outfielder Brett Phillips -- who’s slashing .148/.218/.252 -- will see an increase in playing time during his absence, while rookie outfielder Josh Lowe could also see some time in the outfield as well. Cash said he’ll mix and match those two for the time being.

Thirdly, trusty starting pitcher Jeffrey Springs -- who’s excelled in his 19 appearances as both a starter and reliever this season -- was the newest Rays player to land on the injured list, listed as right lower leg tightness.

These three joined catcher Mike Zunino, second baseman Brandon Lowe, starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow and outfielder Manuel Margot, among others, as players with key roles in the Rays’ postseason aspirations that will miss extended time in the coming weeks.

Reinforcements arrived in Cincinnati from Triple-A Durham prior to Sunday’s contest in the form of infielder Jonathan Aranda, LHP Josh Fleming, OF Luke Raley, and RHP Phoenix Sanders. Aranda will chip in with reps at shortstop alongside recently acquired infielder Yu Chang, while Raley will factor in at the corner outfield spots.

Sanders has pitched in eight games for the Rays this season -- including Sunday’s contest in which he allowed three runs on four hits in 1 2/3 innings -- but has been solid otherwise, posting a 3.07 ERA and 12 strikeouts in 14 2/3 innings. Fleming has pitched in seven games for the Rays this season including two starts, with a 6.17 ERA and 21 strikeouts in his 23 1/3 innings.

The Rays have a critical seven-game stretch coming up against a pair of divisional foes in the AL Wild Card-leading Red Sox and the suddenly hot Orioles. Cash hopes the excitement of playing against another high caliber opponent will light a fire under his team.

“We’ve got guys that are getting their first consistent reps in the big leagues, [so if] that motivates them. I’m sure there will be some pretty good crowds [against] a divisional rival. We need to play good.”