ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (Reuters) - The Tampa Bay Rays replaced fatigued designated hitter Rocco Baldelli with Willy Aybar for the remainder of their American League Division Series with the Texas Rangers, the Rays said on Thursday.
The Rays made the move before Thursday's game two with the Rangers. Texas won the opener 5-1 on Wednesday with Baldelli going hitless in three at-bats.
The Rays needed Major League Baseball's permission to activate Aybar for Baldelli, who began cramping in his left leg before Wednesday's game.
Rays manager Joe Maddon told the team's website (http://tampabay.rays.mlb.com) "he was very distraught."
The injury was officially described as left-leg fatigue, which is symptomatic of mitochondrial disorder, the team said.
(Reporting by Gene Cherry in Salvo, North Carolina; Editing by Julian Linden)
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.