On Wednesday, Matt Joyce told the Tampa Times that he was "hopeful" he could return to the Rays lineup by the weekend's series against the Indians. A wrench may have been thrown in those plans on the same day when he was pulled from the lineup of the Durham Bulls on Wednesday night.
Via The Herald-Sun:
The only bad news for the Bulls was that Joyce left the game early. The 2011 AL All-Star, who has been on the DL since June 20 with lower back tightness, asked out of the game after three at-bats and was replaced by Feliciano.
"He felt something, and when somebody feels something in rehab, you take them out," Montoyo said.
The move very well could have been precautionary, but Rays manager Joe Maddon is likely to be cautious with Joyce as well. With just one more series for the Rays before the All-Star break, it's likely that Joyce won't return until after.
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