Evan Longoria Removed from Yankees-Rays Game

Evan Longoria was removed from Monday’s game against the New York Yankees in the 7th inning.

According to Marc Topkin of The Tampa Bay Times, “Longoria appeared fine hitting a routine ground ball to second base for the final out of the home seventh. But when the Rays came back on the field, Elliot Johnson moved over from shortstop to third base and Reid Brignac came in at shortstop.”

Longoria recently returned from a partially torn left hamstring that kept him sidelined on the DL for over three months. Since his return to the lineup on August 7, he has alternated between DH and third base.

With the injury seemingly improving and Longoria understanding the importance of his presence in the lineup, he recently stated that his “goal is to avoid taking a day off for the rest of the month.” – MLB.com

The latest report from Topkin came in this tweet:

"

#Rays say Longoria left the game for precautionary reasons after travel day, that he's fine

— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) September 3, 2012"

With that said, this is something to keep an eye on as it’s hard to believe the Rays would remove Longoria in the late innings of a game that’s tied 3-3 against the team they trailed 3.5 games in the division coming into today’s action unless there was some concern.

Longoria has hit .247 with 5 home runs and 16 RBI in 24 games since his return.

UPDATE 4:45 pm est:

"

#Rays Maddon said Longoria came out because he'd done his job for the day, team wanted to be careful

— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) September 3, 201 2"

9/4 UPDATE:

"

#Rays Longoria hit early, not taking BP with team on field; additional rest after legs felt tired Monday, DHing tonight

— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) September 4, 2012"

Jim Pratt is the founder of Big Leagues Monthly | Magazine and has also been an MLB contributor for MLBDepthCharts and BravesWire.com. Follow him on twitter @BigLeaguesMthly.