10:38AM: Rays supervisor Kevin Money instructed Topkin and different reporters that Diaz is away attributable to a matter involving his household, and that his potential return is a day-by-day state of affairs.
9:41AM: The Rays introduced that first baseman Yandy Diaz has been positioned on the restricted record, and infielder Curtis Mead was known as up from Triple-A to take Diaz’s spot on the energetic roster. Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Occasions (X hyperlink) writes that Diaz didn’t play on Friday attributable to what the Rays described as “a private matter.”
Given the personal nature of this example, we could not be taught any specifics about Diaz’s absence till he’s activated or no less than nearer to a return. The absence comes at a monetary value to Diaz, as he’ll lose wage (in addition to MLB service time) for any time spent on the restricted record. Diaz has about $3.3MM remaining on his $8MM wage for the 2024 season.
A staple of Tampa Bay’s lineup for the final six seasons, Diaz has gotten common time at each nook infield positions and quietly delivered constant sturdy offense. Diaz hit a brand new degree in 2022-23, hitting .314/.406/.475 over 1158 plate appearances — amongst all certified hitters over that two-season stretch, solely six gamers had a better wRC+ than Diaz’s 155 mark.
That manufacturing has dipped in 2024, as Diaz’s .273/.329/.396 slash line over 416 PA interprets to an 111 wRC+. Whereas he has been hitting higher after an ice-cold begin over the primary two months, Diaz’s energy numbers have dropped off considerably, as his .123 Remoted Slugging determine is nicely under his .192 mark from 2023. His .123 ISO is no less than extra according to earlier seasons past 2023, but Diaz’s 7.5% stroll price is way under his profession 12.2BB%.
Even a lesser model of Diaz remains to be an enormous a part of Tampa’s lineup, so the Rays now must take care of an sudden absence whereas attempting to remain afloat within the playoff race. Diaz has been utilized solely as a primary baseman and DH this season, so it appears probably that Isaac Paredes might be shifted from third base to first base, with Mead getting into the combination on the scorching nook together with Jose Caballero and Amed Rosario.
Diaz’s absence additionally creates one other wrinkle for no matter plans the Rays may need heading into the July 30 commerce deadline. Tampa is 48-49 and sits 5.5 video games out of the ultimate AL wild card slot, so there’s nonetheless loads of time left for the membership to make a run in direction of one other postseason berth. Nevertheless, it has been speculated that the Rays may look to function as each sellers and consumers on the deadline, maybe bolstering for each this season and for the long run whereas additionally trimming some wage from the payroll. If Diaz remains to be on the restricted record by July 30, it stands to motive that the Rays may pursue some infield assist, although it’s value noting that Paredes might be a potential commerce candidate. Star prospect Junior Caminero is simply returning to Triple-A motion within the aftermath of a quad damage, and it’s assumed {that a} wholesome Caminero will once more be known as as much as Tampa Bay’s energetic roster to hitch the infield image.
