TORONTO (AP) — Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Jeff Niemann was forced out of Monday night’s game at Toronto after taking a grounder off his right foot in the first inning.
Niemann was struck on the foot by Adam Lind’s drive with runners at first and second. He recovered to make the out but walked gingerly around the mound and was checked by the trainer before finishing the inning.
Niemann came out and warmed up to start the second, but was removed after a conference on the mound with the trainer and manager Joe Maddon. He was replaced by left-hander Cesar Ramos.
Niemann missed more than six weeks last season with a sore lower back, going 11-4 after his return in late June.
