Rays Place Veteran Infielder on IL with Oblique Strain

Brandon Lowe Placed on IL with Oblique Strain

Lowe was off to a slow start in 2o24 prior to his injury. In eight games played, he was 5-for-30 (.185 average) with a homer, four RBI, a .600 OPS, and a 75 OPS+. Lowe scored three runs in those eight games. The Rays will hope the injury remains a short-term one, as the 29-year-old has spent multiple seasons as one of the team’s top hitters. In 2019, he finished third in American League Rookie of the Year voting and made the All-Star team. Lowe finished in the Top 10 in AL MVP voting for the next two seasons.

His career year thus far came in 2021. Despite hitting only .247, Lowe slugged 39 homers, drove in 99 runs, and compiled a .863 OPS (a career-high for a full season, with 2020 being excluded). Injuries have been a problem for Lowe over the last two seasons and his numbers have suffered as a result. However, his power resurged a bit last season, hitting 21 home runs.

With Wander Franco remaining on administrative leave for the foreseeable future, this injury news stretches the Rays infield even thinner. Amed Rosario replaced Lowe at second base in Friday’s 2-1 win against the San Francisco Giants. It’s fair to expect Rosario will get the bulk of playing time there in Lowe’s absence. In a corresponding move to the IL placement, the Rays recalled utilityman Niko Goodrum from Triple-A Durham. The 32-year-old Goodrum is most well-known for the four seasons he spent with the Detroit Tigers. He has not played in a major league game since suiting up for the Houston Astros on May 14, 2022.