Chandler Simpson left in the third inning of the Tampa Bay Rays’ road game against the Miami Marlins on Friday with what the team called left thumb discomfort.
It was the second time this week Simpson was forced out of a game early. On Monday against the Detroit Tigers, as he went to slide headfirst on an attempted steal of second base, his helmet slipped off, bounced and hit him in the mouth.
Simpson’s lower lip was split and he wound up going to the hospital to receive stitches. He was back the next day and did not miss a game in the Detroit series.
On Friday, Simpson went 0-for-2 before being replaced by Victor Mesa Jr. Simpson’s recent slump extended to 1-for-21 over the past six games.
Simpson, 25, is batting .276 through 59 games. Simpson is a speedster who has 14 stolen bases this season after notching 44 as a rookie last year. His four triples top the American League.
Rays shortstop Taylor Walls left Monday’s game, as well, due to hamstring tightness. After sitting out the rest of the Tigers series, Walls was back in the lineup for Tampa Bay on Friday.
