PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (AP) -- Tampa Bay's
Evan Longoria was hit by a pitch during an intrasquad game and has a
bruised right hand.
The Rays said precautionary x-rays
Thursday were negative. The three-time All-Star third baseman was struck
by a pitch thrown by reliever Matt Bush.
Manager Joe Maddon said Longoria was hit
in the fleshy part of the hand. The player was examined by a trainer
before leaving the game and returning to the club's spring training
clubhouse.
"It's just a bruise," Longoria said in a
statement released by the Rays. "It's sore, but getting hit by a pitch
is part of the game. The x-rays were negative and that's good. Now it's
day to day and we will see how it feels tomorrow. At this point, we just
need to get the swelling out of there."
Longoria batted .244 with 31 homers and
99 RBI's last season, helping the Rays make the playoffs for the third
time in four years.
