Pena placed on disabled list

Rays first baseman Carlos Pena was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a fractured left index finger.

Pena suffered the injury during the first at bat of Tuesday's game in Boston when he was hit by a pitch. He later doubled and homered (photo).

Pena said he was in pain all through Tuesday's game, especially when throwing "10 out of 10," but was hoping the swelling would go down.

But after getting re-evaluated early Wednesday, Pena said he'd rather be cautious now than be lost for the season if the injury got worse.

"I kept on telling them, Joe (Maddon) and the guys, I kept on telling them that if I get the swelling down, I can go," Pena said. "I can deal with the pain. But it’s just not smart, when you’ve got the experts’ opinion ... what are you going to do?"

Eric Hinske took Pena's spot at first base, and will likely platoon with Willy Aybar at first, depending on whether the Rays are facing a left or righthanded pitcher.

The Rays recalled outfielder Justin Ruggiano.

Rays

Iwamura, 2b

Crawford, lf

Upton, cf

Floyd, dh

Longoria, 3b

Navarro, c

hinske, 1b

Gross, rf

Bartlett, ss

RED SOX
Ellsbury, lf

pedroia, 3b

drew, rf

ramirez, dh

lowell, 3b

Youkilis, 1b

Varitek, c

crisp, cf

lugo, ss

Beckett, p
-- JOE SMITH, Times Staff Writer

Comments

[Keith]

Nathan is a moron. Ony 3 or 4 teams in all of MLB are .500 or better on the road. A winning road record is not a prerequisite for the playoffs. This isn't the NFL where a couple losses can knock you out of contention; it's baseball, and there are well over 100 games left. Is it premature to assume the Rays make the playoffs this year? Yes. Are they still one of the best young teams in the league, who are contending right now and will only get better over the next 2-5 years? Absolutely. If you can't be excited and optimistic about that, you are not and never were a real fan of the game. Just go away Nathan.

[Compensate much?]

"Ya'll have fun"

St. Pete is full of rednecks alright.

[Andy]

Nathan,

It's not my fault you made up a random stat in an attempt to make your rant seem factually based. I'm not calling you out on your math, just your B.S.

The Rays are 23-12 against the six teams closest to them in the Wild Card race. Seeing as the only teams trailing them that are even .500 are Toronto, Oakland, and Minnesota, I like their chances as much as anyone.

Charlatans? I guess I missed Crawford and Gomes selling snake oil at the Saturday Market last week. Your English is no better than your math.

[Nathan's Mom]

It's the couch for you for the next week hubby, who you calling a redneck and whitebread?
That's what I get for having a mixed marriage.
No wonder Nathan is so messed up and panic stricken.
The best season in the history of the Rays and he just can't enjoy it and go along for the ride. No wonder he is still a virgin at 39 and still living in our basement.

[Nathan]

Who's atop the ALEast? Oh, that's right. NOT US!!!! See, when you hold a really slim lead on the top, you have to dig in and find a way to win. This loser crop isn't capable.

But, obviously this is a board for homers and cheerleaders. Y'all have fun singing the praises of an unworthy team.

[Nathan's Dad]

You homers are so easy to goad. Tell me, if this team doesn't win the East, you really think it's got a whiff at a Wild Card? Go back to RotoWorld, numbnutz. This is a team of charlatans. And they're exactly what this miserable, redneck, whitebread town deserves.

[Nathan]

Truth hurts, doesn't it morons? I WAS a fan of this team. 10 long, miserable years. And you wanna challenge me on math, Andy? Get a life you freaking dolt. Stay on your little bandwagon. The wheels are coming off. Then you can all be so proud of yourselves that you "stood by" your loser franchise. Good luck with that.

[Andy Munkittrick]

"No fairweather fan here"

Correct. You aren't a fan of the team. Therefore you are not a fairweather fan.

[Andy]

"I'm a big loser"

Well, at least you got one thing right.

"You CANNOT expect to be a championship team and start the MOST important road trip in your freaking history 0-2."

When you get off to your best start in franchise history, every series is the most important in franchise history. They lost 2 out of 3 to start their last road trip, which was at the time, the MOST IMPORTANT ROAD TRIP IN FRANCHISE HISTORY (Gasp!). Grow up and gain some perspective.

"Check attendance at the Trop if they go .380 on this roady. And they will if they're really lucky."

Since this is a nine game trip, that would mean they'd have to win exactly 3.42 games. Its called math. Try it sometime.

[Nathan's dad]

Nathan, how many times do I have to tell you...stop pretending you're a Rays fan and come get your chowdaaa. You're a friggin joke...I hope Jerramy Stevens mistakes you for a drunk college chick and teaches you a lesson.

[Nathan]

No fairweather fan here. Suffered in person through more games by this team than you've read the box score for. The point, skippy, is that this was a crucial, no THE crucial roady of the season. They knew that and how did they prepare? From tonight's play, I don't think they bothered. See, those are signs. Those are indicators. Are two consecutive losses a big deal? No. Are THESE two consecutive losses a big deal. HELL YES. And you don't see that you don't know squat about baseball and momentum and confidence. These losses will suck the pride and confidence from this team. Maybe it should. I'll say it again and again; this team is not yet ready and if history is any teacher (and it is) they never will be.

[George]

we still have a lead in the East, Nathan. Get real, a loss tonight -although the 2nd in a row- doesn't mean that the season is over. It is early still. Two days ago there was the feeling that the Rays could beat the world. Two days later you are making it sound like they are the most pathetic act to ever take the field. Fairweather fans....

[Nathan]

So, as between Oklahoma City and Portland, who should get this pathetic franchise?

Check attendance at the Trop if they go .380 on this roady. And they will if they're really lucky.

Win or relocate. Yesterday. We've been far too patient, and I know I've spent way too much at the Trop for this. Hell yes, I'm bitter. Hell yes, I'm fed up. Just win! Oh, wait, we can't.

Freaking losers. If anyone's looking for good Rays gear, check the dumpster behind the Starbucks on Kennedy and Westshore.

[Nathan]

Nice try, "mommy" - let's see, 5-1 Boston. Where are the bats? Oh, yeah, back in the Trop. You CANNOT expect to be a championship team and start the MOST important road trip in your freaking history 0-2. It's telling. It's a harbinger.
This team is sorely overrated. Enough. I'm not going to get happy feet over a good home record when the team is looking at a .400 road record. Do you even know the formula? Win all your home series and go .500 on the road. Period. You can make up for a poor road record with home wins, but you're toast in the playoffs when you win on the road or you go home.
My point is that I'm tired of being disappointed year after year after year after year after year after year after year after year after year.... Enough!

[Nathan's mom]

Nathan, have you taken out the trash yet? Stop using my computor and go to your room, I mean the basement.

You were like this in HS and could never get a date, with you the glass is not half full it is empty even when it is overflowing.

You could find the negative in winning the lottery and say 60% of the winners end up broke.

Seriously Nathan, the Rays can't win EVERY game, one or two losses or even an occasional sweep does not ruin a season. .600 ball on this tough road trip would be outstanding, .500 ball would be acceptable, save your doomday prophesies until the road trip is over.

Now go take out the trash like mommy told you.

[D-Ray Mike]

Pena had 10 HR at this time last year, also.. He also has had a fantastic glove...

[Bill]

Today's demise started in the very first inning..........it's raining, Beckett is on the ropes, first and second with two outs........and Longoria swings a 3 and 0(that was a ball.)

So instead of bases loaded, two outs, Beckett on the ropes....in the rain........it's an easy fly out. It is just one of those learning curves that we have to continue to go through while teams like Boston 'know how to win.'

[Nathan]

Y'know what jerky, when it's October and this loser team is on the back nine with all the other NON playoff teams, come back at me with your "humor." Until, STFU.

Try 2 losses to start the most important road trip of the franchise. You think they should've been ready for this. Tonight goes in the L column. Moron.

[Nathan]

I'm sorry guys. I realize I'm pathetic and strange. One loss gets me upset because I'm a big loser, and nothing ever goes my way. I hope the team loses, so then I look better by comparison. (It ain't easy being so real!)

[Nathan]

Please, ownership, move this stinkin' franchise and let them become someone else's punchline. Good riddance. I've wasted my last dime and my last minute on this team.

And save the whole "good riddance" insults, losers - if you had any brains you'd be with me.

[Nathan]

I hate being right all the time; 0-2 to start the road trip. Can you say "overrated?" And, no, chumps, I'm not a Red Sox fan or a Yankees fan. I'm a long-suffering Rays fan who was stupid enough to be optimistic. I'll go back to being jaded and negative - at least with this loser franchise I'll always be right.

[Edgar]

UPDATE: Rays vs. Red Sox

I have two words: DAVID PRICE!!!

he needs to be in there immediately.

Edwin Jackson BLOWS!!!

Trade him for a RF

[Corey]

Why don't you all defer to Joe M., I think he's doing a fantastic job and he knows their personnel better than you guys!

[Caleb]

Why would they call up Dan Johnson he isn't a good first baseman. This gives them time to look at Ruggiano and see if they can keep him up and start him in RF.

[Danny]

Who ever said JR was idiotic, I have this to say. I think what JR was saying was that we dont have a really good 1st base man in the minor leagues. Pena is certainly not the answer. Does Travis Lee ring the bell? Good glove, bad bat.

[paul]

should have called up dan johnson

[Kennedy]

Ray F,
Longoria needs to start raising his OBP before you put him in the 3 hole. I would move Dioner to 2 and Crawford to 3.Navarro can move Aki along and he has been getting on base great this year. CC has the power and contact that you want from a 3 hitter.

[Caleb]

Shmo, that's why Hinske won Rookie of the Year. Carlos is a one year wonder; one year does not make up for many of misery.

[rays fan]

When is the official lineup card posted?

[Shmo]

The only thing Eric Hinske can do better than Carlos Pena is eat. As for BJ batting cleanup we been there done that

[Caleb]

No big deal, Pena has been worthless anyways. Hinske will play first base just as good as Pena AND bat better too.

[Tony Shannon]

I think the Bucs are great! I am an expert!

[Ray F]

i agree. Pena was in a slump anyway so move Hinske to first, let Ruggiano get in the mix in right field.

I think the lineup will get a facelift too now with Longoria moving into the 3 hole hopefully and Upton at Cleanup...

who's with me???

[jim]

good. that will give another bat a chance. look at penas ba avg.....

[Mike]

On the DL??? Keep him in the lineup. He hit a double and a homer with that fracture. Break more fingers Carlos! Apparently it fixed something.

[JR has no clue]

JR, that is the most idiotic thing I have ever heard. You dont draft a guy because your 1st baseman goes on the 15 day DL. You draft the best player available....

[Barry Bonds]

The Rays could really use my bat now.....

[J.R.]

I was pulling for the rays to take posey in the upcoming draft. I think now we should look into alvarez but for 1st base...