ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter and American League-leading hitter Yandy Díaz was removed from Sunday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks because of a strained shoulder.
Díaz took a heavy swing against Arizona’s Merrill Kelly in the bottom of the fifth inning. He was looked at by team trainers after a swing-and-a-miss, but stayed in the game and eventually grounded out to short to lead off the inning.
Richie Palacios pinch hit for Díaz to start the seventh. Tampa Bay was leading 5-0 at the time of his departure.
The team announced that Díaz left the game because of a left shoulder strain and was considered day-to-day.
Díaz, who has reached base in 26 consecutive home games, leads the AL with a .336 batting average and is second on Tampa Bay with 53 RBIs. His sacrifice fly in the second inning moved him into a tie with Aubrey Huff for the fifth-most RBIs in franchise history with 449.