Sore hamstring sidelines Rays’ Evan Longoria against Phillies

Rays sit Longoria against Phillies

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Tampa Bay’s Evan Longoria was held out of the lineup for Thursday night’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies because of a hamstring injury the Rays don’t think is serious.

The 2008 AL rookie of the year felt “slight soreness” in his left hamstring while running out a sixth-inning double Wednesday night. He was removed from the game after playing in the field the next inning.

“I was a little bit surprised,” Longoria said of the decision to sit him Thursday. “I guess they made up their mind already last night that I wasn’t going to play.”

Manager Joe Maddon said the move was precautionary and that he expects Longoria to be back in the lineup Friday for the start of a weekend series against the Florida Marlins. He said the third baseman would be available to pinch hit against the Phillies.

“I just thought it would be wise to do it this way,” Maddon said.

Longoria is batting .309 with 16 homers and 61 RBIs. He was replaced at third base by Willy Aybar.