Evan Longoria Injury Won’t Require DL Stint

Evan Longoria irritated the plantar fasciitis in his right foot during a game against the Detroit Tigers on Friday. At first glance, it was looking like the All-Star third baseman was headed to the disabled list, but it seems the team is going to wait it out instead.

Longoria has dealt with the right foot injury before, as well as other injuries that have kept him off the field for quite some time over the years. Last season, Longoria missed 85 games after partially tearing his left hamstring.

He’s not going to the DL for this injury, but his return is still up in the air.

“I’ve been battling with the plantar stuff for a better part of the month now and it just felt different (Friday),” Evan Longoria told the Tampa Tribune. “It felt like it kind of tightened up going down the line. (I) really don’t have a definite prognosis. I know that at least for now, I’m not going on the DL, which is good. I’m pretty optimistic about the way I feel today.”

He wasn’t in the lineup for the Rays on Sunday and his return is unlikely for the four-game set against the Houston Astros. Longoria went on to say that he’s been playing with pain for some time.

“From the beginning of what they’ve told me, (plantar fasciitis) is something you can play through if you can deal with the pain,” he added. “I’ve been dealing with that for a while now.”

Utility player Kelly Johnson has filled in for Longoria since the injury and hes done quite well this year in his first season with the Rays. In 66 games, Johnson has 11 home runs and 39 RBIs.

The Rays are battling their way back into the AL East race, but they might need to focus on Longoria’s injury for the long term as he said it could “threaten me long term.”

Do you think Evan Longoria’s injury could become a major setback in the future?

[Image via Keith Allison]