Designated hitter Yandy Diaz was placed on the restricted list as the Tampa Bay Rays opened a three-game series in Toronto on Tuesday because of what manager Kevin Cash termed a “passport issue.”
Diaz will be available when the Rays visit Miami on Friday, Cash said, noting second baseman Brandon Lowe was the pick to fill in at designated hitter on Tuesday night.
The Rays recalled infielder Coco Montes from Triple-A Durham to take Diaz’s spot on the active roster.
“Certainly disappointed that he’s not here because he’s such a big part of our team and offense, but look forward to getting him back in Miami,” Cash said Tuesday before the opener against the Blue Jays.
Diaz is batting .238 with six home runs and 20 RBIs in 40 games this season. He was the American League batting champion (.330) in 2023.
When Diaz jumps back into the lineup on Friday, the Rays are also expecting to get right fielder Josh Lowe back from an oblique injury. Lowe hasn’t played since he was injured Opening Day but is only a couple days from being ready to return, Cash said.
