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Rays Tales: Oh, the pain

Tampa Bay Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier is helped off the field after getting injured diving for a single by Detroit Tigers' James McCann during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, May 21, 2016, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) MICO111
Tampa Bay Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier is helped off the field after getting injured diving for a single by Detroit Tigers' James McCann during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, May 21, 2016, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) MICO111
Published June 24, 2016

May 9 was a fine night in Seattle as the Rays headed into their 30th game with a winning record and in good health, having gotten that deep into a season without putting a player on the disabled list only twice before in their first 18 seasons.

The achievement was heralded that very day in the Rays pre-game media notes, with the lead-in SALUD!, informing that the Rays and Astros had been the two healthiest teams in the majors this season, the only ones to not lose even a single player since the season was underway to the DL.

In 2B Logan Forsythe's second at-bat, he was hit on the back of his left shoulder by a 91 mph Felix Hernandez fastball. Forsythe stayed in initially and then took the field for the bottom of the third, but something was amiss as he reached to catch balls so he left the game.

What the Rays initially hoped was a bruise that would calm down in a few days turned out to be a fracture, leading Forsythe, their 2015 team MVP, to be placed on the DL on May 14.

And their season has pretty much been broken since.

Here is a look at the string of injuries that ravaged their lineup, tested their resolve and the depth of their roster and may doom their summer (all records through Thursday):

May 9

At Seattle

2B Logan Forsythe hit by a Felix Hernandez pitch.

Injury: Hairline fracture left scapula

Time missed: May 10-June 9, 28 games (Rays were 12-16)

May 21

At Detroit

CF Kevin Kiermaier tries to make a diving catch of James McCann sinking line drive, left wrist and hand bend back under him.

Injury: Two metacarpal bone fractures in left hand, surgery required.

Time missed: Since May 22, 30 games (11-19)

Projected return: Early August

May 26

At Miami

RHP Ryan Webb acknowledges after rough outing he has soreness stemming from weight room work for past week.

Injury: Right pec muscle strain

Time missed: Since May 27, 25 games (10-15)

Projected return: On rehab at Triple-A Durham.

May 31

At Kansas City

RHP Brad Boxberger leaves with obvious discomfort on his left side after throwing just 16 pitches in long-awaited season debut following rehab from unexpected March 17 core muscle repair surgery.

Injury: Left oblique strain

Time missed: Since June 1, 20 games (9-11).

Overall time missed: 68 games (31-37)

Projected return: Late July

June 5

At Minnesota

OF Brandon Guyer, doing well in his first real shot at every day play, informs trainers and succumbs to an increasingly tight left hamstring, fearful of a more severe issue.

Injury: Left hamstring strain

Time missed: Since June 4, 17 games (8-9)

Projected return: Within the next week

June 14

At Tropicana Field

OF Steven Souza Jr. tries to make diving catch of Nelson Cruz line drive, lands awkwardly and has trouble getting to his feet.

Injury: Left hip strain

Time missed: Since June 15, 8 games (1-7)

Projected return: Within the next week

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June 20

At Cleveland

OF Mikie Mahtook hit on the left hand by an 87 mph Josh Tomlin fastball.

Injury: Left hand fracture

Time missed: Since June 21, 2 games (0-2)

Projected return: August

DH Steve Pearce grabs right hamstring and falls down on way to first base.

Injury: Right hamstring strain

Time missed: Since June 21, 2 games (0-2)

Projected return: Late July