Rays pitching prospect David Price not seriously hurt by shattered bat; Rays beat Red Sox 8-6

Rays nearly pay ‘Price’ in 8-6 win over Red Sox

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Tampa Bay Rays prized left-hander David Price, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 draft, left Wednesday’s 8-6 win over the Boston Red Sox in the bottom of the second inning after being hit on the right hand by the barrel of a shattered bat.

According to Rays team spokesman Rick Vaughn, Price had an abrasion on his right thumb and will not need stitches. Price expects to make his next start.

In his second start of the spring, Red Sox left-hander Jon Lester pitched 2 2-3 innings, giving up one unearned on two hits and a walk with four strikeouts.

At the time Price was injured, the Rays had a 1-0 lead. With no outs and Kevin Youkilis on first base for the Red Sox, Adrian Beltre’s bat splintered on a pitch from Price, the barrel heading toward the mound. Price deflected the lumber with his non-pitching hand and walked off the field with a towel wrapped around his right hand.

Youkilis and Beltre both eventually scored in the inning, the runs charged to Price.

Jacoby Ellsbury had two home runs and three RBI, and Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis also had two hits for Boston.

Jason Bartlett went 2 for 2 with two RBI for the Rays, and B.J. Upton, Kelly Shoppach and Ryan Shealy each had two hits.

The Rays announced that highly touted outfield prospect Desmond Jennings has a sprained left wrist and will be out of action for the next five to seven days. Jennings injured his wrist sliding into second base Monday against the Pirates. He is expected to be ready for the season opener.