Will Rhymes faints after getting hit in arm with pitch, but he’s OK (Big League Stew)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Now that we know Will Rhymes of the Tampa Bay Rays is OK, the following video isn't quite so scary. It's still off-putting, though: Whoa! Answer Man down, Answer Man down ! There's no fainting in baseball! It's funny, now, that when trainers asked Rhymes to tell them his name, he said, "I'm Batman." Here's a guy with a sharp mind on his shoulders. But in the moments after Rhymes' legs fell limp and he collapsed into the embrace of coach George Hendrick, speculation on Twitter abounded. He was hit on the arm, not on the head or thorax — so what happened? Did the major bruise cause a circulatory problem? Had he broken a bone and gone into shock? What gives, (other than his legs)? Well, Dr. skipper Joe Maddon had a diagnosis after Tampa Bay's 2-1 win over Boston : Adrenaline rush. When the juices get flowing, it can work against you too, apparently. ''He got kind of rubber-legged right there,'' Maddon said. ''That stuff hurts. I know it's in the arm, but that can definitely take your breath away. It was described to me as kind of an adrenalin rush that caused that reaction.'' X-rays were negative and the team said Rhymes is day to day with a bruised right forearm. Phew. Rhymes had put a scare into everyone, especially pitcher Franklin Morales of Boston, who threw the pitch. Here's Morales, via the Twitter of Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal :

The Rays Tank: At What Point Do We Proclaim The O's Are For Real?

Source: DRaysBay by Steve Slowinski

The title of this piece is a question I've been pondering for a week or so: What's the point where we should stop looking at a team's hot start as merely lucky and chance, and start to think that hey, maybe these guys are for real? Because as it stands right now, the Rays and Orioles are duking it out for first place in the AL East, and as Grant Brisbee covered, the AL East is incredibly, incredibly strong right now.

The analyst in me can't help but take the cautious

Down On The Farm: May 17

Source: DRaysBay by 20GradeRPPodcastHost

Between rehab appearances and recently signed players, there were a lot of familiar faces playing for and against Rays affiliates Wednesday. That will continue today with Daisuke Matsuzaka's rehab appearance against Durham.

AAA Durham Bulls (15-26)

Durham couldn't hold an early 3-1 lead in their 5-4 loss against Pawtucket. Hideki Matsui collected his first two hits as a Bull and also reached on a

Will Rhymes faints after getting hit in arm with pitch, is OK (Big League Stew)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Now that we know Will Rhymes of the Tampa Bay Rays is OK, the following video isn't quite so scary. It's still off-putting, though: Whoa! Answer Man down, Answer Man down ! There's no fainting in baseball! It's funny, now, that when trainers asked Rhymes to tell them his name, he said, "I'm Batman." Here's a guy with a sharp mind on his shoulders. But in the moments after Rhymes' legs fell limp and he collapsed into the embrace of coach George Hendrick, speculation on Twitter abounded. He was hit on the arm, not on the head or thorax — so what happened? Did the major bruise cause a circulatory problem? Had he broken a bone and gone into shock? What gives, (other than his legs)? Well, Dr. skipper Joe Maddon had a diagnosis after the game: Adrenaline rush. When the juices get flowing, it can work against you too, apparently. ''He got kind of rubber-legged right there,'' Maddon said. ''That stuff hurts. I know it's in the arm, but that can definitely take your breath away. It was described to me as kind of an adrenalin rush that caused that reaction.'' X-rays were negative and the team said Rhymes is day to day with a bruised right forearm. Phew. Now, just tell us that you'll never faint again , Rhymes:

Rays' Rhymes OK after fainting on field (The SportsXchange)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Tampa Bay Rays infielder Will Rhymes said he felt lucky after a scary incident in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Boston Red Sox in which he collapsed and passed out on the field after being struck on the right forearm by a pitch.

Rays fan kerplunks onto field chasing foul ball

Source: MLB.com

Matsui meets Youk in Minors matchup

Source: MLB.com

Rhymes OK after plunking, fainting spelling

Source: MLB.com by Adam Berry

Rays second baseman Will Rhymes was carted off the field on Wednesday night after collapsing on the field shortly after he was hit by a pitch on his right arm. His X-rays were negative and he was diagnosed him with a bruise.

Red Sox-Rays Preview (The Associated Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Matt Moore is universally considered among baseball's top pitching prospects, but his performance thus far in 2012 has been disappointing.

Postgame Shot Of Joe: Rays Badly Bitten By Injury Bug

Source: Rays Index by Joe Rays Fan

Joe is back with his post-game thoughts…

Now this is Joe’s kind of a game. Hellboy and the bullpen, capped by the crooked cap-wearing, Kung Fu Fernando Rodney, who held the BoSux to one run while wrapping up a 2-1 win.

This is the type of game the Rays are going to need from their pitching staff, and are capable of getting night in and night out, short of whoever is now the No. 5 pitcher.

And, man, was Rodney mowing down the BoSux. Fantastic.

But this injury bug is really going to catch up with the Rays. Will Rhymes passing out after being hit in the forearm by a pitch was chilling for Joe as he can recall the night Tony Saunders blew out his arm. Just a hunch, but it seems Rhymes will meet the disabled list and that gives the Rays 10 guys on the disabled list this year. Sooner or later, one would think that will catch up with the team.

Good thing the Rays have Merlot Joe. Few managers, if any, can mix and match and put a batting order together with gum and duct tape better than him. His skill at doing that will surely be tested the next few weeks.

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Moore seeks consistency as Rays eye sweep

Source: MLB.com by James Walker

The Rays' Matt Moore will keep trying to find his comfort zone and Felix Doubront will try to continue an impressive string of strong outings for Red Sox starters when the two teams close out a two-game series at Tropicana Field on Thursday.

Joyce's heady baserunning allows Rays to edge Red Sox (The SportsXchange)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Matt Joyce read it and then chanced it, and his audacious bolt for home in the sixth inning helped the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Boston Red Sox 2-1 Wednesday night in a game that was interrupted by a scary incident.

Will Rhymes: Tampa Bay Rays Player Passes out on Field After Being Hit by Pitch

Source: Bleacher Report

Will Rhymes appeared to pass out on the field after being hit by a 95 mph fastball during the Tampa Bay Rays' game Wednesday night against the Boston Red Sox.

It was an eerie moment to see and hear when the ball hit his arm with a sound similar to that of a broken bat. You could clearly see the stitching from the ball imprinted into his forearm. Initially, Rhymes was visited on the field by the Rays' training staff and manager Joe Maddon. It appeared that he was going to remain in the game and continue playing.

Then it got really scary inside Tropicana Field.

Rhymes turned towards the Rays' dugout from first base and motioned that he was not going to be able to continue to play. By the time he could make it to where first-base coach George Hendrick was standing, he began to collapse and then appeared to pass out on the field.

He would eventually regain consciousness and was removed from the field by a cart.

Mark Topkin, the Rays' beat writer from the Tampa Bay Times, tweeted after the game that X-rays were negative and he was currently considered day to day.

Rhymes is in his first season with the Rays and has been batting .273 so far in 13 games this season. He was called up from Triple-A Durham on May 1, 2012, after third baseman Evan Longoria was placed on the disabled list.

The video of him collapsing can be seen here (h/t Cork Gaines and Rays Index).

 

Jamal Wilburg is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.

Follow his thoughts, rants and adventures on Facebook, Twitter @JWilburg or visit his website www.jamalwilburg.com

Read more Tampa Bay Rays news on BleacherReport.com

AL Capsules (The Associated Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) Jeremy Hellickson pitched six solid innings, Luke Scott had a tiebreaking sacrifice fly, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat Boston 2-1 on Wednesday night, snapping the Red Sox's five-game winning streak.

Rhymes has right arm contusion

Source: MLB.com by Adam Berry

Rays second baseman Will Rhymes was carted off the field on Wednesday night after collapsing on the field shortly after he was hit by a pitch on his right arm. His X-rays were negative and he was diagnosed him with a contusion.

Red Sox Flinch First; Rays Win 2-1

Source: DRaysBay by CBJones

The Rays weren't able to generate much offense tonight, but thankfully, they didn't need to. Jeremy Hellickson and his 'pen of merry men held the always potent Red Sox lineup to just one run on seven scattered hits. Both Hellickson and his opponent, Clay Buchholz, got away with more than their fair share of stranded runners--Rays were 0-11 with RISP--but the Rays found ways to take advantage of some Sawks mistakes and cash in.

In this Hellickson/Buchholz

Will Rhymes: Tampa Bay Rays 2nd Baseman Passes out After Being Hit by Pitch

Source: Bleacher Report

Will Rhymes of the Tampa Bay Rays reminded us all that baseball can be just as dangerous as any other sport.

During Wednesday night's game against the Boston Red Sox, Rhymes was hit on the arm by a pitch from Franklin Morales.

Unfortunately, this was no ordinary HBP (via ESPN's Steve Berthiaume):

#Rays Will Rhymes has passed out on the field after being by a pitch in the arm.

— Steve Berthiaume (@SBerthiaumeESPN) May 17, 2012

Apparently, Rhymes was hit so hard on the arm that it sounded like a bat was being broken. He somehow made it to first base before passing out, possibly from shock.

 

What This Means

We are far from knowing what exactly this means, but it is certainly odd how everything happened. For Rhymes to get hit and then make it to first base before passing out just isn't normal.

Shock, of course, is a logical explanation considering the time between the two incidents. 

This is a scary situation, and hopefully for Rhymes, he only passed out because of sheer pain and nothing worse.

 

What's Next

To see Rhymes collapse like he did was an incredibly scary incident. When someone goes down like that, sports are put into perspective, and they simply stop mattering.

How all of Rhymes' teammates, and even the Red Sox players at that, will continue to play after this scary play is beyond me. Sometimes, you just want to check on your friend and teammate instead of playing baseball.

This, unfortunately, is one of those times.

No further details are currently known about Rhymes' condition, so we just have to wait for updates from the Rays organization and hope that he is alright. 

We hope that Rhymes makes a speedy recovery, and we will continue to update you when we know more information. 

Read more Tampa Bay Rays news on BleacherReport.com

Rhymes exits after collapsing on the field

Source: MLB.com by Adam Berry

Rays second baseman Will Rhymes was carted off the field on Wednesday night after collapsing on the field shortly after he was hit by a pitch.

Hellickson turns in quality outing to silence Sox

Source: MLB.com by Bill Chastain

Manager Joe Maddon has often said the Rays play best in stormy weather. Wednesday night at Tropicana Field personified their skipper's sentiments as the Rays took a 2-1 win over the Red Sox with 20,843 watching.

Immediate Reactions: Rays Win, But Likely Lose Another Guy

Source: DRaysBay by Jason Collette

Wins are good, players passing out on the field in pain are not. Let's hope for the best for Busta Rhymes

via www.fangraphs.com

Rays 2, Red Sox 1 (The SportsXchange)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Matt Joyce read it and then chanced it, and his audacious bolt for home in the sixth inning helped the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Boston Red Sox 2-1 at Tropicana Field on Wednesday night.

Hellickson keys Rays' 2-1 win over Boston (The Associated Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) Jeremy Hellickson pitched six solid innings, Luke Scott had a tiebreaking sacrifice fly, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat Boston 2-1 on Wednesday night, snapping the Red Sox's five-game winning streak.

Will Rhymes Passed Out On The Field After Being Hit By A Pitch

Source: Rays Index by Cork Gaines

During tonight’s game Will Rhymes was hit in the forearm with a 95 mph fastball. You could immediately see the welt forming and marks from the stitches. He tried to stay in the game, going to first base. But then he collapsed. He eventually regained consciousness and was taken off the field on a cart…

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Rays to test their mettle vs. NL East this year

Source: MLB.com by Bill Chastain

The Rays will battle the National League East during this season's Interleague Play, which begins Friday.

American League notebook -- Wednesday, May 16, 2012 (The SportsXchange)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Baltimore: LHP Zach Britton threw four scoreless innings Tuesday during his second start in extended spring training, and he is due to pitch there again Monday. Britton, on the disabled list all season due to a left shoulder impingement, might be able to rejoin the Orioles in late May or early June. ... LF Xavier Avery started for the fourth consecutive game to open his major league career. After hitting ninth Tuesday, Avery was back in the leadoff spot for the series opener at Kansas City.

Rays add outfield depth, deal for Thompson

Source: MLB.com by Bill Chastain

The Rays acquired outfielder Rich Thompson from the Phillies on Wednesday in exchange for Minor League outfielder Kyle Hudson.

Rays obtain OF Rich Thompson from Phillies (The Associated Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) The Tampa Bay Rays have acquired outfielder Rich Thompson from the Philadelphia Phillies for minor league outfielder Kyle Hudson.

MLB Roundup: Clemens trial continues, Lawrie appeals suspension (The SportsXchange)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Roger Clemens' lawyer Rusty Hardin began his first extended cross-examination of key prosecution witness Brian McNamee by explaining that he would set up a chart to list McNamee's recollections as a mistake, a case of bad memory or a lie, according to an MLB.com report.

Tailgating With The Rays: Is Vogt on The Way Out?

Source: Rays Index by Cork Gaines

This post, which will appear before every game, will include starting lineups (when we learn them) and during the game will include a Game Graph that will constantly update the percent chance the Rays have of winning this particular game.

Game Graph…

Source: FanGraphs

Playing A Little Pepper…

Earlier today, the Rays added Rich Thompson, and word on the street is that he is being added to the Rays roster. So, who is on the way out?

The obvious answer is that Stephen Vogt will be sent packing. But the added problem is that the Rays need to open a spot on the 40-man roster. The Rays could just move Jeff Niemann to the 60-day DL (does the new CBA have a limit on number of players that can go on 60-day DL?). The Rays could also place Vogt on waivers. Either way, Vogt is likely back to Durham…STEPHEN VOGT

Lineup…

1. Ben Zobrist, RF
2. BJ Upton, CF
3. Matt Joyce, LF (...)
   Read the rest of Tailgating With The Rays: Is Vogt on The Way Out? (27 words)

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Blue Jays' Lawrie appeals suspension, in lineup vs. Yankees (The SportsXchange)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Brett Lawrie on Wednesday appealed his four-game suspension by Major League Baseball Wednesday following a run-in with umpire Bill Miller.

Column: Return of Manny Ramirez is big con (The Associated Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The state of Rhode Island is having trouble collecting some of the millions it lent former pitcher Curt Schilling, another reminder why chasing celebrity is almost always a bad thing.

Toronto's Lawrie gets four-game suspension (AFP)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Brett Lawrie was suspended for four games by Major League Baseball on Wednesday for a tirade against umpire Bill Miller in a home loss to Tampa Bay one night earlier.

GDT for 5/16/12: Now more than ever

Source: DRaysBay by CBJones

via cdn.sheknows.com

Ditto.

Cue "Brie Pottery Gif" in 3...2...1...

PS: She Knows! (.com)

If you see something during the game that would fit "This Week in Sun Sports," please help us out and tag it (#TWSS) in the GDT or email to ThisWeekInSS@gmail.com. (Include inning and outs if possible.)

The Infuriating Jose Molina

Source: DRaysBay by BWoodrum

The Infuriating Jose Molina

The psychology of a fan is a tough egg to crack. We remember certain negative events very well, but smaller events -- even if they are consistent and common and positive -- can go unnoticed.

Jose Molina has been amazing at framing behind the plate this year. Say what you will about his inability to block pitches (which has rarely affected a game so far, IMHO) or his current lack of success against the stolen base (*glances at Jeff Niemann*), but he has CERTAINLY driven some hitters crazy. That much is

Blue Jays' Lawrie banned four games for tirade (Reuters)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

(Reuters) - Toronto Blue Jays third basemen Brett Lawrie was suspended four games and fined an undisclosed amount for his aggressive actions toward an umpire in Tuesday's game, Major League Baseball said on Wednesday.

Blue Jays' Lawrie suspended for 4 games after incident with umpire (The SportsXchange)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Brett Lawrie was suspended by Major League Baseball for four games Wednesday following a run-in with umpire Bill Miller.

Tailgating With The Rays:

Source: Rays Index by Cork Gaines

This post, which will appear before every game, will include starting lineups (when we learn them) and during the game will include a Game Graph that will constantly update the percent chance the Rays have of winning this particular game.

Game Graph…

[Will be up at game time]

Playing A Little Pepper…

Earlier today, the Rays added Rich Thompson, and word on the street is that he is being added to the Rays roster. So, who is on the way out?

The obvious answer is that Stephen Vogt will be sent packing. But the added problem is that the Rays need to open a spot on the 40-man roster. The Rays could just move Jeff Niemann to the 60-day DL (does the new CBA have a limit on number of players that can go on 60-day DL?). The Rays could also place Vogt on waivers. Either way, Vogt is likely back to Durham…STEPHEN VOGT

Lineup…

1. Ben Zobrist, RF
2. BJ Upton, CF
3. Matt Joyce, LF (...)
   Read the rest of Tailgating With The Rays: (27 words)

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The Rays’ Newest Minor League Outfielder Once Had A Movie Made About His Life In The Minors

Source: Rays Index by Cork Gaines

Earlier today, the Rays traded for 33-year old, journeyman minor league outfielder Rich Thompson.

Apparently at some point during his 11 seasons in triple-A, somebody made a short (13 minutes) movie about his life in the minors called “A Major Life in the Minor Leagues.”

Whoever made the clip uploaded a trailer to YouTube back in 2010. But the best we can tell, the actual movie was never uploaded.

Here’s the trailer which gives us a glimpse of just how speedy the Rays’ newest addition is…

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TRADE: Rays Acquire Triple-A Outfielder From Phillies

Source: Rays Index by Cork Gaines

The Rays have traded triple-A outfielder Kyle Hudson to the Phillies for triple-A outfielder Rich Thompson (via MLBTradeRumors).

Hudson was acquired from the Rangers for “future considerations” just prior to the start of the season.

Thompson, 33, has spent parts of 11 different seasons in triple-A, with four different organizations. This was his fifth season at triple-A for the Phillies.

He was hitting .307 with no home runs, 7 stolen bases, and a .398 OBP prior to being traded. Last year he hit .276 with 5 home runs, a .354 OBP, and he was successful on 48 of 52 stolen base attempts.

Thompson’s lone plate appearance in the big leagues came with the Royals in 2004. He grounded into a double-play. He also was used as a pinch-runner on five other occasions that seasons, stealing one base.

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Tampa Bay Rays acquire outfielder Rich Thompson from Philadelphia Phillies

Source: Tampa Bay Times by Times Staff

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 16, 2012

The Tampa Bay Rays have acquired OF Rich Thompson from the Phillies for minor league OF Kyle Hudson.

The trade was first reported by CSNPhilly.com.

It's unclear whether Thompson is coming to join Tampa Bay in St. Petersburg or reporting to Triple-A Durham.

Thompson, 33, was hitting .307 this season for the Phillies Triple-A affiliate, Lehigh. He has batted .276 in five years with Philadelphia at the Triple-A level. Thompson, a left-handed hitter, has played in six big-league games, all with the Royals in 2004.

Hudson, 25, has been playing at Triple-A Durham for the Rays, hitting .291.

Moonlight Graham is Back

Source: DRaysBay by Jason Collette

He has a degree rather than medicine, but the closest thing baseball has to the fictional Moonlight Graham character in Field of Dreams is now a part of the Rays 25-man roster. Earlier today, the Rays traded Durham Bulls outfielder Kyle Hudson to the Phillies for veteran minor league outfielder Rich Thompson and have added him to the 25 man roster as his name appears on tonight's lineup card per Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times.

Thompson was drafted in the 2000 draft

Enjoying Ben Zobrist's Odd Season

Source: DRaysBay by Erik Hahmann

There aren't many players in baseball like Ben Zobrist. Sure, lots of players will hit roughly the same number of homers and drive in roughly the same number of runs and steal roughly the same number of bases, but few, if any, will do it with the defensive prowess of Zobrist. He's a gold glove caliber second basemen and an above average right fielder. He's also started at least one game at every position besides pitcher and catcher. How many players can say that? The Rays' Mr. Everywhere is having one of the stranger starts to a season that I can remember, and it's been a whole lot of fun to watch.

Red Sox Carry Five-game Win Streak into Tampa Bay: Fan Preview (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The 17-19 Boston Red Sox won five out of six on their most successful homestand of the season. Now they head out on the road for three series beginning with a two-game set against the 23-14 Tampa Bay Rays on May 16 and 17. On their homestand, the Red Sox enjoyed consecutive quality starts from each member of the starting rotation for the first time in 2012. Clay Buchholz and Felix Doubront will look to build on that momentum against one of Boston's division rivals.

Atlanta Braves 2012 Interleague Schedule: Fan’s Take (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The 2012 interleague schedule is nearly upon us in Major League Baseball. Despite not being a fan of the format, I have to say I am excited about the prospects of my Atlanta Braves traveling to New York to play the Yankees and Boston for a series with the Red Sox. The only other series the Braves will travel for will be against the Tampa Bay Rays, but fans in Florida have the chance to see the Braves play enough as it is without interleague play.

Rays Swap AAA OFers with Phillies

Source: DRaysBay by Jason Collette

Rays Swap AAA OFers with Phillies

Out goes Kyle Hudson, in comes AAA lifer Rich Thompson who has had quite the SB success rate in recent years.

Toughness Quantified!

Source: DRaysBay by Whelk

Over the past few years, advanced statistics have infiltrated baseball. Front offices are filled with Ivy League economists making decisions based on esoteric numbers, some fans think they’re smarter than players, and anyone brave enough to talk about intangibles gets mercilessly mocked on "blogs." What these nerds just don’t understand is that you can’t measure heart, scrappyness, grit, or toughness. Until now.

I’ve just invented a new metric that I think will accurately measure toughness in pitchers. It’s called Batters Retired On Broken Leg per Nine Innings, or BROBL/9. Currently, our very own Jeff Niemann leads the league this

Phillies, Rays Swap Rich Thompson For Kyle Hudson

Source: MLB Trade Rumors by Mike Axisa

The Phillies have traded outfielder Rich Thompson to the Rays for outfielder Kyle Hudson, reports Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com (on Twitter). Both players have been playing in Triple-A this season.