Birkins, Riggans injury update

Rays LHP Kurt Birkins and C Shawn Riggans each left Saturday's split squad game with injuries, and their status is still up in the air until further tests come back.

Birkins was pulled out of the game in the eighth inning with what he called stiffness in his left elbow. Birkins said the injury felt similar to a nerve issue he had two years ago, and a Tommy John test Saturday proved negative so it's more of a nerve than ligament issue, according to pitching coach Jim Hickey, who said he "wasn't really concerned right now."

As for Riggans, he was hit by a fastball in the ninth inning. While trying to shield his face from the pitch, he suffered a contusion in the fifth metacarpal in his left hand. He will undergo tests today in St. Petersburg to figure out the extent of the injury.

Riggans had battled his way back from elbow problems that cut last season short, and is competing for the backup catcher spot.

"It's just real upsetting," Riggans said, "I was starting to feel comfortable. I was starting to get into somewhat of a rhythm, and (this) could possibly set me back a little bit. We're just gonna move on from it."

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com