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No surgery needed for Rays' Wil Myers

 
Wil Myers could miss two-three weeks or six or more depending on the specifics of the wrist injury that has landed him on the disabled list.
Wil Myers could miss two-three weeks or six or more depending on the specifics of the wrist injury that has landed him on the disabled list.
Published June 3, 2014

MIAMI — The Rays got some good news Monday in that OF Wil Myers won't need surgery on his injured right wrist.

But what they don't know yet is the degree of the bad — specifically, whether Myers will be out two-three weeks or six or more.

After a visit to Dr. Koco Eaton and extensive testing, Myers today will see hand specialist Dr. Douglas Carlan to determine the specifics of the injury and requisite recovery time, such as whether it's a bone bruise (around two weeks) or a nondisplaced fracture (around six). Also, whether Myers, currently in a splint, will need a cast.

"There's nothing overtly wrong," manager Joe Maddon said. "It could be not so bad, it could be a little bit worse. We just have to wait for the doctor to tell us."

Myers was injured diving for a ball and colliding with CF Desmond Jennings on the final play of Friday's game. He had X-rays Saturday in Boston, was placed on the disabled list and flew home Sunday and saw Eaton, the team orthopedist, Monday in St. Petersburg.

"I'm not hearing surgery; I'm not hearing that word at all," Maddon said. "Length of rehab seems to be the primary concern, or the discussion."

HELLICKSON CLOSER: RHP Jeremy Hellickson's return may finally have a target date: June 27.

Hellickson looked and felt good throwing 50 pitches over three-plus innings in a simulated game in Port Charlotte on Monday, and if there are no issues over the next couple of days, he could begin a rehab assignment Saturday. Maddon said three rehab starts "sounds good," which with Hellickson on a normal five-day schedule — with no setbacks or weather issues — would put him in line to return June 27, when the Rays have a day-night doubleheader in Baltimore.

Hellickson is recovering from Jan. 29 arthroscopic right elbow surgery.

MORE MEDICAL: C Ryan Hanigan (right hamstring) went through what Maddon called a "really intense, good workout without any repercussions" at the Trop on Monday and should be ready on or shortly after his June 11 eligible date. … OF Brandon Guyer (left thumb fracture) is expected to be out until at least late June. … INF Tim Beckham, recovering from right knee surgery, joined the extended spring training hitters in facing Hellickson.

VISIONARY: A large part of RHP Chris Archer's preparation for each start involves visualization. But he said it won't affect him tonight that he has never faced the Marlins nor any of their hitters in the majors nor pitched at Marlins Park.

"This is why I keep it all the same," Archer said. "There's a left-handed hitter who likes the ball down and away; there's a right-handed hitter who likes offspeed up in the zone. It's not necessarily who it is but what they can do. And I have all that information processed and stored just as if it was someone who I had faced 10-15 times."

Actually, Archer said he should benefit from the lack of familiarity. "I think the pitcher has the advantage the first time through because they've seen what our stuff can do," he said.

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STARRY-EYED: 3B Evan Longoria (with 589,621 votes) remains a distant second to Oakland's Josh Donaldson in AL All-Star balloting, and just ahead of Texas' Adrian Beltre (497,876) and Baltimore's Manny Machado (461,023). No other Rays are in the top five, or top 15 among outfielders.

MISCELLANY: Rays reliever Jake McGee had another 1-2-3 inning, extending his streak of retired batters to 21 and scoreless appearances to 15. … C Ali Solis made his second start but was pinch-hit for in the fifth. … The Mariners rotation sets up for RHP Felix Hernandez to pitch Sunday at the Trop. … Todd Kalas was in the TV booth as Dewayne Staats had the first of several scheduled games off.