DENVER — Tampa Bay Rays infielder Ben Williamson is likely headed to the injured list after sustaining a right hamstring injury during the ninth inning of the team’s series finale at Coors Field, manager Kevin Cash said.
Williamson appeared to injure the hamstring while running to first base after hitting a chopper to Colorado second baseman Edouard Julien. He walked back to the dugout in obvious discomfort and had to be helped down the dugout stairs. Ryan Vilade replaced Williamson at second base to finish the game.
“Grabbed his hammy pretty good,” Cash said afterward. “We’ll get him checked out tomorrow, for sure, and go from there.”
Acquired from the Seattle Mariners in a three-team trade over the offseason, Williamson has been a key part of the Rays’ infield mix, working mostly at second base alongside Richie Palacios while also playing some shortstop and third base. In 84 games this season, Williamson has produced a .247/.309/.332 slash line with three homers and 26 RBIs.
Palacios and Vilade are the Rays’ other options at second base. The club also has a handful of players with Triple-A Durham who could step in if needed, including Carson Williams, Oliver Dunn and non-roster veteran Nick Madrigal. Williams, a right-handed hitter like Williamson, was replaced by a pinch-hitter in the fourth inning of Durham’s game Wednesday afternoon, not long after the Rays’ series finale ended — a possible signal the organization is already preparing a roster move.
Williamson is expected to undergo imaging that will yield a more specific diagnosis before the Rays open a series in Seattle on Friday night.