Rays' Choi Ji-man lands on injured list with elbow issues

All News 07:43 May 02, 2022

By Yoo Jee-ho

SEOUL, May 2 (Yonhap) -- Tampa Bay Rays' South Korean first baseman Choi Ji-man has landed on the 10-day injured list (IL) with right elbow problems, with his red-hot start to the 2022 campaign coming to a screeching halt.

The Rays made the move prior to their series finale against the Minnesota Twins at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, on Sunday (local time). It is retroactive to Thursday.

In this USA Today Sports file photo via Reuters from April 24, 2022, Choi Ji-man of the Tampa Bay Rays hits a two-run double against the Boston Red Sox during the bottom of the fifth inning of a Major League Baseball regular season game at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Yonhap)

Choi had sat out for four straight days, but manager Kevin Cash told MLB.com that Choi was "trending in the right direction" after taking some swings on Sunday.

"But we need to get him right to where it's not something where he's wavering back and forth," Cash added.

If Choi stays on the course during his recovery, he will play in minor league rehab games this week and join the Rays during their 10-game West Coast road trip, which starts Monday in Oakland and wraps up on May 11 in Anaheim.

Choi was off to a blazing start to this season, putting up a .357/.491/.595 line in 15 games with a pair of home runs and 10 RBIs.

In this Getty Images file photo from April 22, 2022, Tampa Bay Rays' first baseman Choi Ji-man (L) catches a pickoff throw with Jackie Bradley Jr. of the Boston Red Sox returning to the bag during the top of the third inning of a Major League Baseball regular season game at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Yonhap)

Choi's move to the IL leaves just one South Korean player, Kim Ha-seong of the San Diego Padres, active in the big leagues. Toronto Blue Jays' starter Ryu Hyun-jin has been on the IL since April 17 with left forearm inflammation. Park Hoy-jun, utility player for the Pittsburgh Pirates, made the club's Opening Day roster but was optioned to the minor leagues on April 22.