Crawford has "mild" left ankle sprain, Hammel new address

Rays All-Star LF Carl Crawford was removed from Saturday's matinee after the fourth inning due to what the team said was a "mild" left ankle sprain and seems likely to be sidelined until Tuesday. Also, the Rays made something of a surprise move after the game, sending RHP Jason Hammel back to Triple-A to return to starting, and keeping RHP Jae Kuk Ryu to work out of the bullpen.
Crawford said x-rays were negative but he "probably" wouldn't play until Tuesday - meaning he'd miss the Saturday night and Sunday games in New York. Monday is an off-day and the Rays play Tuesday in Baltimore.
"I don't think it's bad or nothing,'' Crawford said. "I don't think I'm going to be on the DL or nothing like that, that's for sure.''
Crawford appeared to jam his left ankle beating out an infield single in the third inning, and when he later advanced to third base Rays manager Joe Maddon and trainer Ron Porterfield came out of the dugout to check on him, but he waved them off. Crawford played the field in the third and fourth innings, but when his turn in the order came up in the fifth, with a man on second and no outs, he was removed for pinch-hitter Greg Norton, who also replaced him in leftfield. Jonny Gomes will play left in Saturday's night game.
"It was throbbing and aching both - just uncomfortable,'' Crawford said.
The Rays are already short on position players, opting to go with a three-man bench and a 13-man staff for the four-games-in-three days weekend in New York.

Comments

[Tony]

Why is Jae Kuk Ryu back in this team? 5 runs in the 6th for crying out loud!!! He is a run machine. This guy is terrible. We probably have guys over in Vero better than him. Thanks for giving this game away to the Yanks Joe.

[Derek]

Yea Bringing this guy up was Clearly Better than Cantu being on the Roster. Smart Move Joe. Dear Mr. Girardi......
I invited you to come check out all the beautiful surroundings that the Tampa Bay Area has to offer. For the love of god come save us

[joshua]

Why did Hammel only last 4 innings?

[reality]

If we brought over the guys from Vero, it would start their clock, and the Rays never want to do that. they have to keep guys on rookie salary as long as they can...

[John]

I'm done with the Rays. When I want to watch real baseball, I head out to see the Clearwater Threshers play.

[Ray]

Threshers over MLB?

And Derek, it's not Joe's fault to bring up Ryu, he only manages what they give him.

And why only 4 innings? Hammel hasn't been stretched for more than 50 pitches for quite a while, so...., you don't put him out there for the first time in a while to go 9 innings. And I think he had already thrown 60-something pitches.

And you'd want Cantu when you need additional pitchers for 4 games in less than 48 hours?

I don't think anyone would be satisfied if they went 162-0. "But, we didn't win by 10 runs every game!"

And Ryu was one pitch away from getting out of that inning with no runs scored after the first 2 got on. He made a mistake (which most of you wouldn't, right?) and then got unnerved a bit. Let's see how you do against that Yankmees lineup.

One main reason why the Rays lost today, having the bases-loaded 3 times and no runs, NUFF SAID.

[Red]

Rays are the only team with a winning pct less than .400 Look on the bright side, if they keep playing like today, we should get the first pick in the amateur draft next year.

[Reality]

I feel vindicated in my truthful statement. Ray took it upon himself to dispell all the other posts, but mine didnt get a lashing, so I know it to be the untouchable truth....