Tampa Bay Rays Place Valuable Infielder on Injured List

The Tampa Bay Rays have placed infielder Brandon Lowe on the injured list with a back issue. The back issues are a recurring problem for Lowe, who only played in 65 games during the 2022 season.

The Tampa Bay Rays have placed key infielder Brandon Lowe on the injured list with a back problem.

Sadly, back problems are nothing new for Lowe, who played in only 65 games a season ago.

Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports had the information on Twitter:

Rays have placed Brandon Lowe on the 10-Day IL (retro to 6/4) with low back inflammation and recalled INF Vidal Bruján from Triple-A.

Rays have placed Brandon Lowe on the 10-Day IL (retro to 6/4) with low back inflammation and recalled INF Vidal Bruján from Triple-A.

— Tricia Whitaker (@TriciaWhitaker) June 5, 2023

Lowe often sits against left-handed pitchers but he's a powerful asset in the lineup that will be missed against righties. He's hitting just .199 this year but does have nine homers, 29 RBIs and three stolen bases. He hit 39 home runs back in the 2021 season, the last season he was fully healthy.

As for Brujan, he's played in 73 career games. He's a .161 lifetime hitter.

Unfortunately, the injuries are starting to mount for the first-place Rays. They've already lost starting pitcher Jeffrey Springs for the season, and pitcher Drew Rasmussen for most of the season. They've also recently placed left-hander Josh Fleming on the IL.

Tampa Bay is a league-best 42-19 and is in first place in the American League East by four games over the Baltimore Orioles.

The Rays finish out a four-game series with the division-rival Boston Red Sox on Monday at 4:05 p.m.

Ace starting pitcher Shane McClanahan will start that game against Red Sox rookie Brayan Bello.

The Rays have taken two of the first three games from the Sox in this series. Boston enters play on Monday at 30-29 and in last place in the division.

The Rays will host the Twins for a series beginning on Tuesday.