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Rays' Steven Souza Jr. suffers gash on pinky

 
Steven Souza Jr. gets tended to after being hit on his right hand by a pitch, injuring his pinky.
Steven Souza Jr. gets tended to after being hit on his right hand by a pitch, injuring his pinky.
Published July 6, 2015

NEW YORK — Though initial X-rays were negative, OF Steven Souza Jr. headed to Kansas City concerned about his right pinky that was gashed badly enough to require stitches when he was hit by a Bryan Mitchell pitch in the eighth of Sunday's win over the Yankees.

"I can't really bend it too well right now," Souza said. "I'm hoping I wake up (today) and it feels a little better. I don't have much feeling in my pinky right now, which is kind of a worry for us."

Souza will see a specialist in Kansas City today to see if additional tests or treatment are needed. He and manager Kevin Cash said he is day to day for now, but that might change.

The laceration runs the length of the pinky, Souza said, but the bigger concern is how deep it was, so much so that he said the tendon was visible.

"It was a really deep cut," he said. "The cut was deeper than the doctor thought it was when he opened it up. … We don't know what's in there."

STARRY-EYED: RHP Chris Archer doesn't want to presume anything, the usually erudite speaker noting Sunday, "I never like to count my hens before they hatch, or whatever that saying is."

But the rest of the Rays, and many people around the majors, are absolutely, positively sure Archer will be named to the rest of the American League All-Star squad that will be unveiled tonight.

"That's a no-brainer in my mind," Cash said. "I think he's worthy to start the game. I say that with all the respect in the world for the managers and coaches that pick that, but we're biased here obviously. We get to watch him first hand, how he's carried himself, the games he's pitched, who he's gone up against. … He's been outstanding."

Archer, 26, said being chosen would mean a lot: "It would be a dream come true, and to be surrounded by greatness would be very, very special for me."

Though Archer is expected to be the Rays' only rep, Cash said RHP Brad Boxberger (20 saves), INF Logan Forsythe (versatility), RHP Kevin Jepsen ("the highest leverage pitcher in baseball") and OF Kevin Kiermaier (defense, speed) are also worthy of consideration.

REHAB REPORT: John Jaso (bruised left wrist) moved his rehab to Triple-A Durham, where he was DH on Sunday (going 1-for-5) and was to play left tonight, then "possibly" join the team in Kansas City, Cash said. Souza's status could impact that timetable. Jaso said he felt good: "I've come a long way. I had almost zero strength in my wrist when it happened. I'm glad I'm back. It took a while." … RHP Jake Odorizzi (oblique) makes what is expected to be his final rehab start tonight in Port Charlotte for the Class A Stone Crabs. … A decision on activating RHP Andrew Bellatti (sore shoulder) will be made in part on bullpen needs, Cash said.

ROTATION: With Odorizzi expected back Saturday, RHP Alex Colome seems most likely to be dropped from the rotation, which could make tonight his last start. Colome said he didn't know what was going to happen, that "the only thing I can do … is do my job, go out and pitch." Cash said the Rays had talked about a decision that seems to be between Colome (3-4, 4.70) and RHP Erasmo Ramirez (7-3, 3.80 overall, 7-2, 2.17 in past 10 starts) but were still weighing several factors, including who can be more use as a reliever.

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ROYAL FLUSH: Rene Rivera will be behind the plate for much of the series in Kansas City as the Rays seek to control a Royals team that Cash said "creates havoc on the bases." … Royals bench coach Don Wakamatsu was the other finalist with Cash for the Rays manager's job.

MISCELLANY: The weather.com forecast for Kansas City tonight is not good, with 80-100 percent chance of thunderstorms. … Sunday's eight runs were the Rays' most since May 31. … INF Richie Shaffer on Saturday hit his 12th homer in 32 games for Triple-A Durham, 19th overall on the season.