Tampa Bay Rays' José Caballero Leaves Spring Training Game With Apparent Foot Injury

José Caballero, who is fighting for a role in the Tampa Bay Rays' infield, fouled a ball off his foot against the Detroit Tigers on Thursday and had to leave the game.

Port Charlotte, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Jose Caballero (7) reacts after hitting a base hit against the Philadelphia Phillies in the fifth inning at Charlotte Sports Park. | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Tampa Bay Rays infielder José Caballero left Thursday's spring training game against the Detroit Tigers with an apparent left foot injury.

Caballero started at third base and hit sixth in the Rays' lineup Thursday. He fouled a ball off his foot during his first at-bat, though, leaving the field with a member of the team's training staff as his afternoon came to an end.

Per the Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin, Caballero said the X-rays on his foot were negative. He has a bruise but does not expect to miss a significant amount of time.

#Rays Jose Caballero leaves after fouling a ball off of his foot pic.twitter.com/eU8ZyjHLpP

— Running From The OPS (@OPS_BASEBALL) February 27, 2025

Caballero made his MLB debut with the Seattle Mariners in 2023, only to get traded to Tampa Bay ahead of the 2024 campaign. Across 139 games last season, Caballero hit .227 with nine home runs, 44 RBI and a .630 OPS.

The 28-year-old infielder led the AL with 44 stolen bases in 2024, but got caught stealing an MLB-high 16 times.

Caballero posted -3 defensive runs saved at shortstop last season, compared to his four defensive runs saved at third and his one at second.

Taylor Walls is in line to start at shortstop for the Rays to open 2025, although free agent addition Ha-Seong Kim is expected to return from shoulder surgery in May. Top prospect Carson Williams is waiting in the wings at that position as well.

Former top prospect Junior Caminero is expected to take a leap at third base, while former All-Star second baseman Brandon Lowe is healthy for the time being. Infielder Jonathan Aranda is also on the roster, as is utility man Richie Palacios.

That leaves Caballero without a clear role midway through spring training, so missing any time with an injury could set him back.

Tampa Bay's next Grapefruit League contest is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. ET on Friday against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

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