UPDATE: The Tampa Bay Rays have placed All-Star first baseman Jonathan Aranda on the 10-day injured list due to a fractured left wrist, just announced on July 14, 2023. This injury occurred during a collision with Giancarlo Stanton of the New York Yankees on Thursday, raising immediate concerns for the Rays as they head into a critical series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Aranda, who is enjoying a breakout season with a batting average of .316, 12 home runs, and 54 RBIs in 103 games, expressed optimism about his recovery. “It doesn’t feel catastrophic,” Aranda stated, emphasizing his hope to return to the field this season. However, medical staff have cautioned that he will be unable to use the wrist for approximately three weeks.
The injury occurred in the fifth inning when Stanton hit a soft grounder that led to a collision. Aranda reached for a wide throw from third baseman Junior Caminero, resulting in his left wrist striking Stanton’s shoulder. The Rays have placed Aranda’s wrist in an air cast and will conduct further imaging at the three-week mark to assess the healing process.
Rays manager Kevin Cash remains cautiously optimistic. “Let’s see how the bone heals,” he said prior to Friday night’s game. The team will reassess Aranda’s return timetable after the follow-up imaging.
In the meantime, Cash has shifted Yandy Díaz to first base in Aranda’s absence, while the team reinstated Ha-Seong Kim from the injured list and recalled Tristan Gray from Triple-A Durham. Trade deadline acquisitions Griffin Jax and Hunter Feduccia were also active for Friday night’s game, indicating the Rays’ commitment to staying competitive as they navigate this setback.
The impact of Aranda’s injury is significant; his offensive prowess has made him one of the majors’ most dangerous hitters this season. Fans and analysts will be closely monitoring his recovery and the Rays’ performance without him.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops, and watch for the Rays’ continued efforts to maintain their momentum in the league.
