Apr 18, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Randy Arozarena (56) reacts after hitting a solo home run in the fourth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
Rays’ Randy Arozarena scratched, then enters as pinch hitter.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Randy Arozarena was scratched from Tuesday night’s game against the Chicago Cubs because of right hamstring tightness but later entered the game as a pinch hitter.
Batting for Taylor Walls with runners on first and second in the seventh inning, Arozarena bounced to second baseman Nico Hoerner.
Arozarena was replaced in the starting lineup by Jonny DeLuca. He did not stay in game defensively after his at-bat.
Manager Kevin Cash said Arozarena had an MRI and is expected to be OK.
The Rays rallied from a 2-0 deficit, scoring four in the ninth to win 5-2.
Arozarena, an AL All-Star last year, is hitting .175 with eight homers and 20 RBIs this season. It’s the lowest average among MLB qualified batters.
Arozarena has shown some signs recently of getting out of his season-long slump, going 8-for-27 (.296) in nine games this month.
He hit .254 with 23 homers, 88 RBIs and 22 steals last year.
