ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Tampa Bay Rays slugger Evan Longoria was out of the starting lineup for the first time this season Saturday night because of a sore right foot.
Longoria left Friday night’s game against Detroit after the third baseman irritated plantar fasciitis, which has bothered him for the past month. He also is expected to sit out Sunday against the Tigers.
"We’re going to let it calm down a little bit," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "Hopefully he’s going to be able to do something over the next couple of days. That’s one of those injuries that’s not debilitating on any kind of a permanent basis so we’ll see how he feels and make that determination as it goes along. Right now, let’s just hope that by the time we get to Houston he’ll be OK and he can play some."
The Rays start a four-game road trip Monday night against Houston.
Longoria, who has 17 homers and 47 RBIs in 80 games this season, grounded out in the second inning Friday and was replaced at third base by Kelly Johnson to start the third.
"I’ve been battling with the plantar stuff for the better part of a month now," Longoria said. "Last night it just kind of tightened up going down the line. I really don’t have a definite prognosis. I know that at least for now, I’m not going to go on the DL which is good, and I’m pretty optimistic about the way I feel today."
Longoria was limited to the designated hitter role for a few games earlier this month because of the problem.
"I’m hoping that some of the pain subsides and that I’ll be able to go back out there as soon as possible," Longoria said. "It’s not something that’s going to be threatening long-term."
The Rays recalled infielder Ryan Roberts from Triple-A Durham and optioned right-hander Alex Colome to the International League club.
Tampa Bay reliever Brandon Gomes has been returned from his rehab assignment and remains on the 15-day disabled list after experiencing discomfort in his strained right lat.
