Tampa Bay Loses Another Key Infielder For Rest of Season

With shortstop Wander Franco already on the restricted list and unable to return this season, now the Tampa Bay Rays will also be without second baseman Brandon Lowe for at least a month, almost assuredly ending his season as well. 

#Rays B.Lowe will be out 4-6 weeks Cash said with a fracture in area of kneecap

— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) September 23, 2023

A kneecap fracture will take Lowe out of the lineup for "four-to-six weeks" according to manager Kevin Cash. Unless the Rays make a very, very deep playoff run—all the way to the World Series—Lowe will not be back. And even then, it's in doubt. 

Lowe also sat out last year's Rays' playoff run with a back injury. 

Although the slugging infielder strikes out at an alarming rate, his power more than makes up for it, and he was sporting a 112 OPS+, leaving him 12% better than the average major league hitter. 

The Rays will miss his 21 long balls this season down the stretch (a feat he accomplished in only 109 games, as he missed more time earlier in the season). 

And while the Rays are still trying to catch the Baltimore Orioles for top spot in the AL East (trailing them by 1.5 games going into play on Saturday), they'll now be without not only Lowe, but also reliever Jason Adam for a period of time due to an oblique injury suffered Friday night, and outfielder Randy Arozarena who is day-to-day with a quad issue also suffered last night. 

Tampa has been ravaged by injuries all season, but somehow still manages to cobble together a strong contender, so don't count them out just yet. 

Photo: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports