When Jeff Niemann stayed in the game to face, and retire, another batter Monday after being hit on the right leg by a batted ball in the first inning Monday, the Rays figured the big right-hander was fine.
But watching how he walked out and warmed up for the second inning, they sensed all was
not well, and X-rays confirmed it.
Niemann sustained a small fracture in the fibula, just above his ankle, and will be lost for at least four to six weeks and potentially several months.
“It’s a tough break, literally,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said. “It’s not easy to lose a pitcher of his caliber.”
The Rays, who went on to win the game against the Blue Jays 7-1, were in the process of deciding how to replace Niemann in the rotation. Wade Davis, who moved to the bullpen when Niemann won the final spot in spring training, would be the logical choice, but Maddon said they value his contributions as a reliever, so they could turn to one of their Triple-A starters, with Alex Cobb and Chris Archer the top candidates.
“We haven’t obviously decided anything yet but I like what (Davis) is doing in the bullpen,” Maddon said.
The loss of Niemann is the latest blow to the injury-ravaged team. He will be the eighth player on the disabled list, following outfielder Desmond Jennings, who was placed there earlier Monday.
Making it worse, Niemann was coming off his best start of the season.
