Chris Archer Exits Tampa Bay Rays start with Forearm Injury

After an incredible start to Chris Archer’s return to Tropicana Field, things turned ugly.

With one out in the top of the third inning Chris Archer gave up a single to DJ LeMahieu, which turned into a double after Austin Meadows misplayed the ball in left. That would turn out to be the last pitch Archer would throw.

After shaking his arm a couple of times, and looking into the Rays dugout, Archer called Rays catcher Francisco Mejia to the mound. Which is never a good sign. After Mejia and Willy Adames made their way to the mound, Rays manager Kevin Cash and the training staff weren’t far behind.

In what was a short conversation, Chris Archer was removed from the game.

According to Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun, Archer was removed due to right lateral forearm tightness, and will be further evaluated on Sunday.

While leaving the mound Archer was visibly upset, and looked to be holding back tears.

This comes in Chris Archer’s first start since August 20th, 2019 when he was a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates. That start only lasted one inning, and Archer was placed on the IL the next day with shoulder inflammation.

After nearly a month on the10-day IL the Pirates moved Chris Archer to the 60-day IL, ending his 2019 season.

Archer pitched two innings in 2020 spring training with the Pirates before spring training was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Archer never pitched in the regular season in 2020 after having surgery to relieve symptoms of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome.

This was Archer’s second appearance of the season as he pitched in relief on April 3rd against the Marlins. But his start on Saturday was highly anticipated by Rays fans.

Archer spent parts of seven seasons with the Rays from 2012-2018 and was making his first start inside the Trop as a member of the Rays since July 22nd, 2018 against the Marlins.

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