Yandy

Díaz

He knocked in the only run the Rays would manage against Shane Bieber with a soft liner to right field that Yohendrick Piñango perhaps should have caught. Díaz has slumped of late, hitting .242/.265/.364 over this past 15 games, but is hitting .307/.382/.467 on the season with 14 homers and two stolen bases in 98 games.

Díaz’s home run came in garbage time, but it counts the same for fantasy managers. The 34-year-old on-base machine took veteran southpaw Patrick Corbin deep for a 418-foot moonshot to straightaway center field in the ninth inning, putting the finishing touches on a lopsided win north of the border. He’s up to 14 home runs through 96 games and remains on pace to surpass last year’s career-high total of 25.

The veteran DH comfortably leads the American League with a .327 average this season, despite a slow start to July. Díaz notably popped 18 of his 25 homers at Steinbrenner Field last season, leading some to believe his performance was a product of the minor-league park. He’s been even better as a 34-year-old, though. His 154 wRC+ through Wednesday’s action would be the second-highest mark of his career.

Díaz extended Tampa Bay’s early lead with an RBI single in the second inning before smashing his 13th round-tripper of the season off Yankees starter Will Warren in the fourth. It was his first time leaving the yard since June 8. The 34-year-old on-base machine has looked a bit off since dealing with a shoulder issue a couple weeks ago. It certainly feels like he’ll benefit from some extra rest during the upcoming All-Star break.

Díaz will take a break against tough right-hander Hunter Brown for Saturday’s game. Ryan Vilade will get the start at first base and hit cleanup in Díaz’s absence

Díaz is back at DH and hitting leadoff, as expected, following an early exit from Sunday’s contest against the Diamondbacks with a left shoulder strain. It doesn’t appear to be a significant concern for the 34-year-old on-base machine, who has been at the epicenter of Tampa Bay’s stellar first half along with young slugger Junior Caminero. It’s a situation fantasy managers should closely monitor, but it doesn’t seem like Díaz is going to wind up missing any game action for now.

Diaz was forced to leave Sunday’s game against the Diamondbacks with a left shoulder strain. The 34-year-old told reporters that he has managed a similar issue previously, and that while he’s “hurting a bit” he expects to be ready for Tuesday’s game in Kansas City. Fantasy managers should be encouraged that Díaz has a chance to go, but should be ready for an alternative.

Díaz was seen heading into the tunnel with the training staff following his at-bat in the fifth inning, then he was lifted for a pinch hitter the next time his spot in the lineup came around. He’s considered day-to-day. Before exiting, the 34-year-old slugger had been 1-for-2 with a run scored and an RBI.

All this guy does is hit. He had singles in each of his final four at-bats and the first two of which helped spur Rays’ rallies in both the third and fourth innings. With them, he brought his average up to .332 which is the highest mark in the American League. He also has 12 home runs and a .926 OPS in what’s been another outstanding season

Díaz provided Tampa Bay’s lone run during a low-scoring affair at Tropicana Field when he smashed a 102.2 mph double off the left-field wall against Royals starter Michael Wacha in the fifth inning. The 34-year-old on-base machine has put together a phenomenal campaign, slashing .326/.407/.511 with 38 runs scored, 12 homers, 50 RBI and one steal in 72 games.