TAMPA — Stuart Fairchild, the versatile outfielder acquired from the Braves Tuesday for cash considerations, will have to wait to make his Rays debut.
Fairchild, also a solid platoon bat against left-handed pitching, was placed on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to Monday) with a right oblique strain.
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The pain first arose while Fairchild was swinging in the batting cage during Tuesday’s game against the White Sox, he said.
“I don’t know if it was the combination of the flight and then … getting loose in the cage,” he said. “I don’t know if I was just stiff and dehydrated.”
Fairchild said he felt healthy when he was traded and had not dealt with this injury before.
“Timing could not be worse, really unfortunate,” he said. “Hopefully, it resolves quickly and (I can) get back to contributing as soon as I’m ready.”
Rays manager Kevin Cash echoed the sentiment.
“It is bizarre,” Cash said. “I feel for him.”
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When asked what kind of player he is when healthy, Fairchild’s response was similar to what Cash said he expected from his new outfielder on Tuesday.
“I pride myself on being able to do whatever the team asks me, whether that’s steal a bag or play good defense or come in and get a hit off the bench,” Fairchild said.
In a corresponding move, the Rays recalled Coco Montes from Triple-A Durham.
“Versatility. We need coverage,” Cash said of the move. “To have Coco be able to play anywhere in the infield, and in a pinch go in the outfield, should help.”
Montes was called up instead of Curtis Mead, who has 115 at-bats with the Rays this year, because the Rays would like for Mead to continue to play daily, which would not be the case if he were called up.
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Kim available, does not play
Infielder Ha-Seong Kim, who left Monday’s game with back tightness, felt “much better” Tuesday, Cash said.
Kim was available off the bench Wednesday, according to the manager, but did not play.
Rays sign another pick above slot value
Cooper Flemming, who the Rays drafted 53rd overall, signed Wednesday for $2,297,500, which is above the $1,803,500 slot value for the 53rd pick, according to MLB.com’s Jim Callis.
Flemming, an 18-year-old prep prospect out of Aliso Niguel High School in Southern California, visited Steinbrenner Field Wednesday before embarking on his professional journey Thursday at Port Charlotte.
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“I couldn’t have dreamed for a better outcome,” he said. “This organization, they take care of everyone around here, so I don’t think it could have ended any better.”
Chuck Ricci, director of amateur scouting for the Rays, raved about the former Vanderbilt commit on draft night.
“Cooper really impressed, not just with his bat-to-ball, but his maturity,” Ricci said. “There was no doubt he was ready to take on the challenge out of high school.”
Flemming, who throws a low-90s fastball, will primarily play shortstop, Ricci said.
Krehbiel traded to Kansas City
Joey Krehbiel, a right-handed pitcher who had been playing for Triple-A Durham, was traded to the Kansas City Royals for cash considerations.
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The Seminole High School product will pitch for the Omaha Storm Chasers, the Royals’ Triple-A affiliate.
Krehbiel, 32, had a 6.11 ERA in 25 games with Durham this season. He previously pitched with the Rays, Orioles and Diamondbacks at the major-league level.
Miscellany
Wednesday’s game was the 50th sellout in 59 Rays home games at Steinbrenner Field this year. … The Rays also signed draft picks Jacob Hartlaub (RHP, Ball State), Alex Wallace (RHP, McLennan Community College) and Brayden Jones (RHP, Ole Miss).
Times staff writer Marc Topkin contributed to this report.
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