The Tampa Bay Rays will be glad to put July behind them, with three more concerning developments on the month’s final day.
Designated hitter Yandy Diaz left Thursday’s game against the New York Yankees after being hit by a pitch in the first inning. The team later said he suffered a right forearm contusion and is day-to-day.
Outfielder Chandler Simpson made the last out in the top of the third inning, went to his position in left field and then was removed with what appeared to be pain in his hand.
Meanwhile, first baseman Jonathan Aranda went down after a collision with New York’s Giancarlo Stanton at first.
Aranda was trying to field an off-target throw from third baseman Junior Caminero. He was removed with left wrist pain, according to the team’s website.
For the Rays, July has been one of the worst stretches in recent memory. Entering play on July 4, Tampa Bay was 48-39, just two games out of first place in the American League East. Since that day, the Rays are 6-16 and now 9.5 games behind the first-place Toronto Blue Jays.
Thursday’s game was delayed by rain in the bottom of the fifth inning, with the Yankees leading 7-4.