Tampa Bay Rays Get Encouraging News on Chris Archer

Tampa Bay Rays orthopedic surgeon Dr. Koko Eaton confirmed the initial diagnosis of lateral forearm tightness and no structural damage was found on Chris Archer’s forearm.

The news on Chris Archer could not have been any better for the Tampa Bay Rays as team orthopedic surgeon Dr. Koko Eaton confirmed the original diagnosis of lateral forearm tightness.

Archer exited in the first inning after allowing back-to-back home runs in his start on Saturday against the White Sox for precautionary reasons with forearm tightness.

On Sunday morning, Archer told reporters that he was feeling better. “I think, based off how I feel right now, I’m going to sleep fine [before Monday],” Archer said. “Last night wasn’t the greatest, but when I woke up this morning, I don’t feel any pain. I just feel a little tightness.”

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Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times spoke with Archer and reported that Archer had initially felt tightness during his bullpen session prior to the start. Archer thought the tightness would let up once he started, however that was not the case, as he could not reach full extension.

After allowing home runs to the first two batters and throwing just eight pitches, Archer called for manager Kevin Cash and head trainer Ron Porterfield and for precautionary reasons exited the game.

“For the first time in my life, it felt like it was better that I give the ball to someone else,” Archer said. “Not only for my personal health, but for the team’s sake.”

Initial diagnosis from Porterfield was that Archer had lateral forearm tightness, and that Archer would undergo further tests on Monday by Dr. Koko Eaton, the Rays orthopedic surgeon.

Dr. Eaton found no structural damage; however, Archer’s scheduled start against the Red Sox on Friday is in jeopardy. Archer is scheduled to play catch on Tuesday and will be re-evaluated per manager Kevin Cash.

“I think that’s probably a long shot,” manager Kevin Cash said. “We’re not going to rule anything out quite yet, but I think it’s a long shot. He’ll play catch tomorrow, we’ll see how he feels, and then we’ll probably put our heads together and see what the best-case scenario is for him.”

Archer has never missed any significant time in his big league career and has never spent any time on the disabled list. However, Archer went through the same thing in a start against the Diamondbacks in 2013 and did not miss anytime.

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The news on Chris Archer could not have been any better as any significant time lost would have been devastating to the Rays quest for the postseason.