Hurricane Ian news creates ‘a challenge’ for Rays

CLEVELAND — Rays personnel were concerned Wednesday over reports that Hurricane Ian hit harshly near Port Charlotte, where they have a year-round training facility that hosts spring training and more than a dozen staffers have homes.

“It’s been a challenge today,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “It impacts you. You’re just concerned. Generally we’re in (the clubhouse) kidding around watching MLB Network. Every TV in there has been on The Weather Channel.”

Team officials didn’t have any information as of Wednesday night on damage to the training facility, noting the security camera system had been knocked out.

Pitching coach Kyle Snyder, whose parents where riding out the storm in their Sarasota-area homes, said there was reason to be worried.

“I’m a Florida resident and long term; we’ve never experienced anything like this,” he said. “Obviously our thoughts and prayers are out to the people south of (the Tampa Bay area). Certainly thinking about a lot of the people that live in and around Port Charlotte that are Tampa Bay Rays long-term employees, and a lot of their family and friends.’’

Pitcher Shane McClanahan’s parents live in the Cape Coral area, which also was being hit hard, but were able to get out and relocate to the east coast.

“Just talking to a lot of these guys and making sure that we’re up to speed on the care and concern for all of our families,” he said.

Outfielder Randy Arozarena said his family in the western part of Cuba, which also was hit hard, was okay.

The Rays dealt with similar concerns when they were on the road in 2017 during Hurricane Irma. Cash said it seems different this time. “This certainly feels like a more impactful storm,” he said. “It’s covering our spring training area right now. And there are a lot of families — not just Rays families, but just the entire Florida community that’s going through it right now. So hopefully this thing calms down a little.”

Diaz in, then out of lineup

Yandy Diaz wasn’t ready to return to regular duty after all. He was in the lineup then scratched about 40 minutes before first pitch after feeling soreness in his left shoulder after doing pre-game work, including fielding grounders, and likely won’t start Thursday.

“Just felt like maybe I was pushing it a little bit with him,” Cash said. “I want him back in there so bad. He’s such a big part of our team. But want to do right by Yandy, make sure that when he comes back, it’s not an at-bat to at-bat feel.”

Not so minor matters

Triple-A Durham made it a clean sweep for all four Rays full-season minor-league affiliates reaching the playoffs. The Bulls, who clinched the East division on Tuesday, head to Las Vegas to face Nashville (Brewers) on Saturday (9:05 p.m.) in a one-game playoff for the Triple-A International League title. The winner on Sunday faces the Pacific Coast League champ — either El Paso (Padres) or Reno (D-backs) — for what is being called the Triple-A national championship.

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Miscellany

Relievers Calvin Faucher, Brooks Raley, Colin Poche and Jason Adam teamed to strike out seven consecutive batters, the first time for the Rays since August 2019. ... Wander Franco’s career-high 13-game hitting streak ended with an 0-for-4 performance. ... In activating Tyler Glasnow from the 60-day injured last, the Rays created space on the 40-man roster by shifting Brandon Lowe (back) to the 60-day list and on the active roster by optioning rookie reliever Cristofer Ogando. … The Rays fell to 27-24 in one-run games and 11-10 in extra innings, playing overtime in back-to-back games for the second time this season. ... With WDAE airing hurricane coverage through Friday, radio coverage of Rays games cane be heard for free, per the team, via the MLB app or raysbaseball.com. ... Wednesday was the 11th anniversary of the Rays’ historic Game 162 win over the Yankees. Trailing 7-0, they came back to win 8-7 on Evan Longoria’s 12th-inning walkoff homer that, combined with Boston’s loss, won the AL wild-card spot and sent them to the playoffs.

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