From
Joe Smith:
The bad news for the Rays on Monday was that RHPs Jeff Niemann and Wade Davis were placed on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder strains.
But manager Joe Maddon actually felt encouraged with Monday's MRI results, anticipating both DL stints would be minimal and precautionary. And he remained confident in their internal options stepping up, with top prospect RHP Jeremy Hellickson called up to start tonight for Davis and RHP Andy Sonnanstine potentially filling in Saturday for Niemann.
RHP Mike Ekstrom was recalled from Durham to add bullpen depth.
That 1.5 game lead seems a little bigger now, doesn't it?
