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Tampa Bay Rays: Duffy Shut-Down with Season-Ending Surgery

By Althea Pashman

Sep 4, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Matt Duffy (5) scores a run during the third inning as Toronto Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin (55) looks on at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 4, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Matt Duffy (5) scores a run during the third inning as Toronto Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin (55) looks on at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Lingering soreness from an Achilles strain, the Tampa Bay Rays have shut-down shortstop Matt Duffy for season-ending surgery.

Rather than waiting any longer, the Tampa Bay Rays have decided that Matt Duffy will undergo season-ending surgery on his Achilles heel.

Duffy who was acquired by the Tampa Bay Rays from the San Francisco Giants at the trade deadline sustained the injury as a member of Giants.

The injury occurred while playing in Interleague game against the Rays at Tropicana Field in early June.

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The Rays had been extremely cautious since Duffy returned from the disabled list limiting his playing time to four or five consecutive games.

However, the continued soreness continued to linger more sore so while playing on the turf field at Tropicana Field.

Moving from the natural grass to the artificial turf of Tropicana Field could be playing a part in Duffy’s soreness.

Playing on the artificial turf doesn’t help matters any, as the harder surface with daily pounding takes longer for the aches and pains to dissipate than playing on natural grass.

On Monday, Duffy did not start against the Orioles having played in three consecutive games.

Unfortunately, a hand injury to Evan Longoria forced Duffy into action in the sixth inning.

Initially, Duffy was expected to play through the weekend series in New York, but the lingering soreness was severe enough to be taken out of the starting lineup on Tuesday before the first pitch.

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Instead of Duffy going with the team to New York for their weekend series against the Yankees, Duffy will head to North Carolina.

He’s schedule to be examined by a doctor on Friday with surgery expected to take place over the weekend.

The procedure would deal with the lingering soreness from the Achilles strain by shaving down the heel bone to reduce irritation and inflammation with the Achilles.

With that, it was a no-brainer for the Tampa Bay Rays to end Duffy’s season now.

It’s important to get the procedure done early so that he’ll have plenty of recovery time and be 100 percent ready for the start of spring training and the 2017 season.

Duffy told Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times that the soreness has lingered, with particular problems when playing on the turf infield at Tropicana Field.

He also added that surgery had been a possibility since he was first sidelined in mid-June while playing for the Giants, and injured at the Trop.

"“The only thing would be the recovery time,” said Duffy. “We want to be 100 percent sure that we’re ready to go by next season. I guess that’s one of the concerns.”"

In 91 games between the Giants and Rays this season, Duffy hit .258/.310/.357 with 14 doubles, five home runs and 28 RBI.

For the Tampa Bay Rays, Duffy appeared in 21 games, hitting .276 with three doubles, one home run and seven RBI.

Who’s at shortstop? For now, it looks as though Nick Franklin will get the majority of starts with Brad Miller getting some as well.

Don’t look for Tim Beckham or Taylor Motter any time soon.

Speculation is that both players are not long for the organization – exactly why, is not known, but Beckham did not report to Durham in a timely fashion was he was demoted last week.

Next: Tampa Bay Rays: Fire Hitting Coach Derek Shelton

With the expanded rosters, the Tampa Bay Rays could also call-up Daniel Robertson from Durham.

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