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Rays put Logan Forsythe on DL with hairline fracture

 
Rays second baseman Logan Forsythe, who leads the team with a .398 on-base percentage, has a hairline fracture of his left shoulder blade.
Rays second baseman Logan Forsythe, who leads the team with a .398 on-base percentage, has a hairline fracture of his left shoulder blade.
Published May 15, 2016

ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays' underachieving offense took a big hit Saturday when 2B Logan Forsythe, their most productive hitter, was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a hairline fracture of his left shoulder blade.

Forsythe, who is batting .308 with a team-high .398 on-base percentage, will be reevaluated the week of May 30 and could return by the second week of June.

"There's not too much to do," Forsythe said. "There's some strength exercises that we can do to keep the shoulder up. Just got to let it rest like anything else."

Forsythe was injured Monday when he was struck by a pitch in Seattle by RHP Felix Hernandez. Forsythe came out of the game the following inning and has not played since. He said he did expect to play Friday against the A's, but his shoulder was still sore. A CT scan taken Saturday revealed what Forsythe said was a "slight" fracture.

Forsythe was moved to the leadoff spot this season and has been a catalyst for the offense.

"Tough blow, no doubt," manager Kevin Cash said. "We're just going to have to find a way to rally around it. Guys will have to step up and fill that void, because it's a pretty good void to fill with what he's done for us offensively and defensively."

Cash said INF Steve Pearce, who started at second base Saturday, is going to play often. The same with 1B Logan Morrison, who should see more playing time if Pearce is playing second.

"Right now we need to get LoMo going. He needs to play," Cash said. "Pearcy is going. He needs to play."

OFFENSE DOES STEP UP: The Rays managed some clutch hitting Saturday without Forsythe during their 6-0 win against the A's, including a couple of at-bats with the bases loaded.

Pearce started it during the sixth inning with a sacrifice fly to give the Rays a 3-0 lead.

DH Brandon Guyer drove in two in the eighth with a bases-loaded single for the final runs.

"We have to step up. We have no choice," SS Brad Miller, who hit a two-run homer in the third inning, said.

RAYS RECALL MOTTER: INF Taylor Motter will be recalled today to replace Forsythe on the roster.

Motter, who was Triple-A Durham's MVP last season, has played every position during his minor-league career except catcher. His versatility gives Cash options on the bench in late innings. Motter was batting .190 with four home runs and 10 RBIs in 142 at-bats for the Bulls.

FARQUHAR UP AND DOWN: The Rays called up RHP Danny Farquhar to add a fresh arm to the bullpen. Farquhar was designated for assignment after the game, and the team will ask for optional waivers, which means Farquhar won't be claimed by another team. He will be optioned Monday to Durham and remain on the 40-man roster.

BOXBERGER UPDATE: RHP Brad Boxberger (adductor surgery), scheduled to begin his minor-league rehab assignment today with Class A Charlotte, said he will need four, maybe five outings before he returns to the Rays.

The big hurdle will be pitching in back-to-back games, something he will likely do with his third and fourth outings.

Noteworthy: Recently retired RHP Grant Balfour, who pitched for both the Rays and the A's, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch today.