Chandler Simpson’s regular season appears to be over, but the Rays expect their speediest game-changer to be ready when October begins. Tampa Bay held its left fielder out Saturday night at Citizens Bank Park after he fouled a ball off the top of his right foot in Friday’s 2-0 victory over Philadelphia.
Simpson stayed in Friday’s game long enough to finish the plate appearance and handle another half-inning in the outfield. The soreness lingered, though, and he was removed. With the AL East already secured and no weekend urgency for Tampa Bay, the club is taking the cautious route.
Quick facts
- Simpson injured the top of his right foot on a foul ball Friday.
- He was out of Saturday’s starting lineup and is unlikely to play in either remaining regular-season game.
- Tampa Bay opens the American League Division Series on Oct. 3 at Tropicana Field.
- Simpson entered Saturday batting .306, fourth in the Majors, while leading the American League with 46 stolen bases.
- After June 20, he hit .346 with a .763 OPS, 32 steals and 18 strikeouts across 334 plate appearances.
Manager Kevin Cash said Simpson is in good shape, but there is no reason to test the foot on a wet field or create a larger problem before the postseason. “He’s OK,” Cash said, “but we’ll be smart and not push it with him.”
Simpson said the foot was still “a little sore” Saturday, yet he has no concern about being ready for Game 1. Winning the division gave the Rays a first-round bye, and those extra recovery days now carry added value.
“Don’t want to make it worse,” Simpson said. “Just make sure everything’s fine.” He called the time off a blessing, allowing him to get treatment and turn his attention toward the opener.
It has been a breakthrough full season for the 25-year-old, especially after a modest first stretch. Through his first 70 games, Simpson was hitting .259 with a .600 OPS and 14 steals. From June 20 forward, he became one of Tampa Bay’s most difficult outs to contain.
That late-season run was built on contact, pace and pressure. Simpson put the ball in play, ran whenever an opening appeared and helped fuel a lower half of the Rays order that has repeatedly forced opposing defenses into hurried decisions.
His growth has shown up in the field, too. Simpson moved from minus-5 Outs Above Average last season to 8 OAA this year, giving Tampa Bay another reason to view him as more than a one-dimensional burner.
“He’s had a heck of a season,” Cash said, praising Simpson’s ability to adjust and improve during the year. The manager called him “game-changing” on defense, on the bases and in contact situations.
Simpson credited his season to staying resilient after early rough patches. “I was able to have a healthy and successful year,” he said, pointing to the perseverance required to work through those moments and emerge stronger.
Now comes his first postseason stage. If the foot responds as expected, Simpson’s next appearance will be under the lights at Tropicana Field, with the ALDS opener and a national audience waiting. “It’ll be fun to take it all in,” he said.
