ST. PETERSBURG — Rays reliever Andrew Kittredge could be activated from the injured list as soon as Sunday as he returns from lower back tightness.
The right-hander flew in from Triple-A Durham Saturday morning after throwing an 18-pitch scoreless inning Friday, allowing one hit.
“It went well,” Kittredge said of his performance. “I didn’t really feel anything out of the ordinary, so I think that’s a good sign (that) I’m feeling pretty good and heading in the right direction.”
Kittredge said before the Rays’ game Saturday against the White Sox that he shook off some rust at extended spring training Tuesday in Port Charlotte and will determine a plan for the next few days with manager Kevin Cash and pitching coach Kyle Snyder after playing catch.
Feyereisen has ‘bone bruise’
After being placed on the injured list Friday for a right shoulder impingement, JP Feyereisen said the discomfort felt similar to the “bug in the arm” that kept him out for more than a month (late July through most of August) last season.
However, Cash said Saturday that it was a “good sign” that an MRI exam revealed a bone bruise rather than any damage to ligaments or the rotator cuff, meaning the right-hander likely will return within 2-4 weeks.
“Everything looked good in there,” Cash said. “It just looked like there’s just wear and tear that he’s just kind of aggravated.”
Feyereisen has been the team’s most consistent reliever this season, holding opponents to an .086 batting average. He has yet to allow an earned run in 24⅓ innings, striking out 25 while walking just five.
Dr. Walls
Infielder Taylor Walls said he was available if needed off the bench Saturday and could return to the starting lineup in “the next day or two.” [ TONY GUTIERREZ | AP ]
Infielder Taylor Walls said he was available if needed off the bench and could return to the starting lineup in “the next day or two” after fouling a ball off his right calf against the Rangers on Wednesday. “I felt like (Thursday), it was probably a softball,” he said of the swelling. “(Friday), it was a baseball. (Saturday), it looks like a golf ball. Hopefully (Sunday), it’s a marble.”
Minor matters
Class A pitching prospect Seth Johnson’s right forearm inflammation will shut him down from throwing for a month but will not require surgery. … Two Rays were named top May pitchers in their leagues: prospect Taj Bradley, for Double-A Montgomery in the Southern League after posting a 1.06 ERA, .109 opponents average and 23 strikeouts in 17 innings; and 2021 draftee Austin Vernon, for Charleston (S.C.) in the Low A Carolina League with a 0.44 ERA, .129 average and 34 strikeouts over 20-2/3 innings.
Miscellany
Ryan Yarbrough will start Sunday instead of following an opener. … Manuel Margot started as the Rays’ designated hitter Saturday as he continues to manage right hamstring tightness. … Yandy Díaz walked twice Saturday, tying him with Kyle Schwarber for fourth in the majors with 32 walks. … Ji-Man Choi’s RBI single in the fifth off Aaron Bummer increased his batting average with runners in scoring position to .378 (14/37), good for seventh in the American League. Lefty Ben Bowden, designated for assignment earlier this week to make 40-man roster space for right-handed reliever Shawn Armstrong, cleared waivers and was outrighted to Durham. … Shane Baz (arthroscopic surgery, right elbow) will start Sunday for Durham.
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Times staff writer Marc Topkin contributed to this report.
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