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Rays' Odorizzi to DL but optimistic of quick return

 
Jake Odorizzi is on the 15-day disabled list with what was diagnosed as a mild to moderate oblique strain, what he called “the best possible news.”
Jake Odorizzi is on the 15-day disabled list with what was diagnosed as a mild to moderate oblique strain, what he called “the best possible news.”
Published June 10, 2015

ST. PETERSBURG — RHP Jake Odorizzi received good news, even as he became the 16th Ray to land on the disabled list this season. But things sounded less optimistic for OF Desmond Jennings, who is scheduled to have arthroscopic knee surgery today that will sideline him for at least another 3-4 weeks.

Odorizzi left Friday's game with what was diagnosed Tuesday as a mild to moderate left oblique strain.

"Probably the best possible news I could have gotten," Odorizzi said.

Odorizzi (4-5 with a 2.47 ERA in 12 starts) said he'll rest and ice his side for the next few days before playing catch later this week. Odorizzi said he isn't sure when he might be ready to return from the 15-day DL, but the injury is less severe than the one that sidelined RHP Alex Cobb for 5½ weeks last year.

While Odorizzi might not be out long, the Rays are still unclear about when Jennings might return to the lineup. The 28-year-old is scheduled to have an arthroscopic procedure today with the hope of finding the source of his lingering left knee soreness.

"He just wants to know what's going on," manager Kevin Cash said. "This is the best way to be able to find that."

Jennings has been sidelined since late April with what was initially diagnosed as bursitis. He tried to rehab his knee and even participated in an extended spring training game last week but felt sore afterward.

Cash said the best scenario would be a cleanup of his knee today and a return in about a month.

"That's very much a best case," Cash said. "I don't know if that's very realistic."

PITCHING IN: The Rays have set part of their upcoming rotation, with RHP Erasmo Ramirez and RHP Alex Colome starting the next two days and RHP Chris Archer pitching Saturday, with an extra day's rest. Friday's starter remains undecided, depending on how the Rays use their bullpen in the coming days.

The team recalled rookie RHP Andrew Bellatti from Triple-A Durham to add pitching depth with his third major-league stint. He has spent time in the bullpen and the starting rotation in Durham and has allowed only two runs in 10 innings with the Rays.

LHP Enny Romero was optioned back to Durham after allowing three runs off six hits in 21/3 relief innings Tuesday. A corresponding roster move will be announced today.

MOORE UPDATE: LHP Matt Moore said he felt good after his second rehab start with Class A Charlotte. He needed 42 pitches to get through the first two innings Tuesday night in Dunedin but settled down, retiring the last six batters. He threw 64 pitches in four scoreless innings, giving up three hits and a walk while striking out four.

"I really do feel better about the whole thing because we did get through that many innings," Moore said. "That many up and downs, that's new to me right now, so to not be in any kind of discomfort or still be able to feel the same first through four, I'm very happy with that."

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LONGO CLOSE: 3B Evan Longoria wasn't in the lineup for the third consecutive game because of a sore left wrist but entered in the seventh as a pinch-hitter. He took swings before the game without a setback and said he plans to be in the lineup today.

MORE MEDICAL: RHP Brad Boxberger (triceps tightness) said he was available to pitch Tuesday after sitting out over the weekend. … Double-A Montgomery INF Daniel Robertson had successful surgery Tuesday to repair a fractured hamate bone in his left wrist and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks.

MISCELLANY: Angels 1B Albert Pujols' home run was the 536th of his career, tying Mickey Mantle for 16th all time.