Rays put 2B Brandon Lowe on 10-day IL

TAMPA, FLA. » The Tampa Bay Rays put oft-injued second baseman Brandon Lowe on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain and recalled infielder Niko Goodrum from Triple-A Durham on Friday.

Lowe was hurt on Tuesday swinging a bat in preparation to enter as a pinch hitter.

Injuries limited Lowe to 68 games in 2022 and 109 last year. He hit 39 homers and drove in 99 runs during the 2021 season.

“The only timeframe that I have is that he feels remarkably better than maybe what some other guys have felt (at the same point),” Rays manager Kevin Cash said.

Amed Rosario and Curtis Mead will get most of the playing time at second base with Lowe’s absence.

Two other injured players, outfielder Josh Lowe and shortstop Taylor Walls, are set to join the Rays extended spring program for live batting practice and games.

Rockies’ Bard needs surgery

TORONTO » Colorado right-hander Daniel Bard needs surgery to repair the flexor tendon in his right elbow and will not pitch again this season, Rockies manager Bud Black said Friday.

Bard is in the final season of a $19 million, two-year deal. He has not pitched in 2024 after surgery in February to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee.

Black said Bard was bothered by elbow soreness last season, when he went 4-2 with a 4.56 ERA and one save in 50 games.

White Sox get positive news

CHICAGO » Luis Robert Jr. could return to the Chicago White Sox in May, and the team also provided a positive update on third baseman Yoán Moncada on Friday.

Robert is on the shelf with a Grade 2 right hip flexor strain, and Moncada has a left adductor strain. The White Sox also are playing without Eloy Jiménez, another key slugger who has a left adductor strain.

“Yoan, our hope is sometime after the All-Star break in all reality. And Luis, it’s looking more like the six-week mark for a return to play,” general manager Chris Getz said.