Yunel Escobar injury: Rays shortstop day-to-day with bruised left hand

Escobar suffered the injury after being hit by a Jon Garland fastball.

By Connor Moylan May 5, 2013, 5:17pm EDT

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Yunel Escobar is currently listed as day-to-day after leaving Saturday's game against the Colorado Rockies with a bruised hand.

More Rays: D Rays Bay

Escobar suffered the injury in the top of the second inning after Rockies starting pitcher Jon Garland hit the shortstop with a fastball on the hand. Escobar immediately left the game, and was replaced in the lineup by Ryan Roberts.

Escobar went to a local hospital to receive X-rays on his hand, which came back negative. The veteran was relieved, as his hand swelled up quickly after being hit by the pitch, causing him to believe his hand was broken.

Tampa Bay held Escobar out of starting lineup on Sunday. Sean Rodriguez started at short in place of Escobar. If Escobar is forced to miss more than a few games in recovery, Ben Zobrist can slide over to short and Roberts can play second base.

Escobar has struggled offensively to start the season, as he is currently hitting .174/.237/.279 in his first 94 plate appearances. The infielder has struggled to make contact this season, as his strikeout percentage is up five percent from his career average.

Rodriguez has swung the bat well so far this season, hitting .270/.341/.432 through 42 plate appearances. Rodriguez, however, has mostly struggled at the plate in his six-year career, as he is a career .270/.341/.432 hitter.