TAMPA — The Rays placed first baseman Jonathan Aranda the 10-day injured list Friday before the opener against the Dodgers at George M. Steinbrenner Field, one day after he suffered a fractured left wrist during a collision with Yankees baserunner Giancarlo Stanton.
Aranda said he needs to go three weeks without activity but is hoping he can return this season.
“I have hope of returning, but it was scary,” Aranda said through team interpreter Eddie Rodriguez. “It was very painful. I have never had that feeling before.”
“I think it’s pretty good news, given what we saw yesterday [Thursday],’’ manager Kevin Cash said. “Let’s see how the bone heals. I think we’ll do re-imaging in about three weeks … and hope [for the best].’’
Aranda said he will continue to do workouts on the rest of his body while waiting for his left wrist to recover.
“I’m just focusing on what I can do, waiting on that time [of returning], staying positive, controlling what I can control and being there for the team in any way I can,’’ Aranda said. “It’s nothing catastrophic, but it’s very unfortunate, you know? I will say, bad luck more than anything. I’m happy with the [on-field] results I have so far and now I just have to concentrate on my rehab.’’
Aranda’s injury news highlighted a busy day of activity for the Rays, who welcomed infielder Ha-Seong Kim back from the IL, while designating Matt Thaiss for assignment. Additionally, two players added during Thursday’s Trade Deadline — reliever Griffin Jax (Twins) and catcher Hunter Feduccia (Dodgers) — were added to the active roster. Meanwhile, starting pitcher Adrian Houser (White Sox) was en route to Tampa and should be added this weekend.
In Aranda’s absence, Yandy Díaz will play first base and second baseman Brandon Lowe could rotate there as well, but Cash said he will have “internal conversations’’ to investigate other potential options. Cash said Jax will be utilized in high-leverage situations during the seventh and eighth innings, leaving the closing duties for Pete Fairbanks. He intends to rotate newcomer Feduccia and Nick Fortes, acquired Tuesday from the Marlins, at catcher.
Kim was back as the starting shortstop after missing time with lower back tightness. He was acquired in the offseason from the Padres, but began the season on the IL while recovering from shoulder surgery. He was activated on July 3, but landed back on the IL after going 7-for-35 with four walks in 10 games.
“[Kim] can give us quite the boost,’’ Cash said. “I don’t think at any point we really saw the offense or the lineup that we were expecting to see on a nightly basis because of freak injuries, normal injuries, a bunch of different things. If we can get him back with consistent playing time, he’s a player who can certainly help us.’’
