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Rays put Beckham on disabled list with hamstring strain (w/video)

 
Infielder Tim Beckham is the 10th Rays player currently on the disabled list after straining his right hamstring during Saturday’s game.
Infielder Tim Beckham is the 10th Rays player currently on the disabled list after straining his right hamstring during Saturday’s game.
Published June 1, 2015

BALTIMORE — INF Tim Beckham's up-and-down rookie season took another hit Sunday when he landed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring.

Beckham left Saturday's game against the Orioles after he came up short while running out a grounder.

"I felt like it cramped up on me coming out of the box," Beckham said. "I kind of ran through it. I felt like it tugged on me again right before I hit the base. Hopefully it's not too serious."

Beckham received treatment Saturday and Sunday but said his leg still felt tight and sore. He and manager Kevin Cash said before the game that Beckham might have been able to pinch-hit, but that changed after the game when he became the 10th player on the team's current disabled list.

"Kind of unfortunate," Cash said.

Beckham entered Sunday fourth among AL rookies with five home runs and 16 RBIs.

The team will make a corresponding roster move today in Anaheim. It could replace Beckham with an infielder or use his spot to replenish the bullpen. The team needed five relievers to close out Sunday's win.

BUTLER DID IT: DH Joey Butler ended his scorching May with perhaps the best game of his career. He tied a club rookie record with two doubles and had a career-high four hits.

His 4-for-5 gave him back-to-back multihit games for the first time in his career and raised his season average to .342.

Over his past 16 games, Butler is batting .408. Cash has praised Butler's hitting since the spring, and Butler showed another element to his game Saturday when he rocketed a throw from leftfield for the first outfield assist of his career.

"The goal is to be a complete baseball player," he said. "But I know that hitting is one of my strong suits. I don't rely fully on it, but I know that it's one of my strong suits."

PITCHING IN: Cash said RHP Jake Odorizzi was probably a little tired after throwing six innings in the 86-degree heat but chose to have him start the seventh to try to aid the bullpen. Odorizzi gave up a single and one of 3B Manny Machado's two home runs before turning the game over to the relievers. "It didn't work out," Cash said. "Again, he pitched a heck of a ball game." … RHP Ernesto Frieri allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth. … RHP Brad Boxberger got the final two outs to record saves in back-to-back games. He improved to 15-for-15 in save opportunities this season, tying RHP Fernando Rodney (2012) for the longest season-opening stretch without a blown save in franchise history.

MOORE MEDICAL: LHP Matt Moore (Tommy John surgery) threw a bullpen session Saturday and is scheduled to pitch again Wednesday or Thursday. Cash said it's undecided whether Moore will need another extended spring training game or if he'll be ready to start his rehab assignment with Class A Port Charlotte.

MISCELLANY: The Rays had an unsuccessful challenge in the third, when LF David DeJesus was thrown out sliding into second. They fell to 4-of-20 on challenges after the call was confirmed. … With a home run Sunday, DeJesus has hit safely in 18 of his past 23 games. … INF Logan Forsythe started at first after Jake Elmore played the position the previous two games. … The Yankees and Rays lead the division with a .510 win percentage, worst by an AL East leader entering June in the divisional era, according to the Elias Sports. … Baltimore CF Adam Jones missed his second straight game with a mild ankle sprain.