Rays Place AL Rookie of the Year Candidate Brandon Lowe on Injured List

The Tampa Bay Rays are yet again outperforming expectations this season, and they're competing for an AL East title in the process. Still, with a roster as thin as theirs, they can't afford to lose any important pieces. Especially as they attempt to close the 6.5-game gap between themselves and the Yankees down the stretch.

Bad news, Rays fans. Less than 24 hours after being named a reserve on the AL All-Star roster, Tampa Bay rookie standout Brandon Lowe is headed to the Injured List.

Lowe down, Lowe up.#Rays place Brandon Lowe on the 10-day IL with a right shin bone bruise, recall Nate Lowe, who belted 3 homers for @DurhamBulls on Tuesday.

Here's a closer look at @RaysBaseball’s No. 9 prospect: https://t.co/tqdDZ3uOjH pic.twitter.com/2qdKlF1dbJ
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 4, 2019

The designation comes after Lowe fouled a pitch off his right shin in Tuesday's matchup against the Baltimore Orioles.

The 24-year-old second baseman is having a great year, worthy of consideration for the Rookie of the Year award in the AL. He's batting .276 and leading the Rays in home runs with 16.

In Lowe's absence, the American League added New York Yankees 2B Gleyber Torres to its All-Star roster, an addition many believe should have come earlier.

Next stop, Cleveland!

Gleyber Torres has been named to the AL All-Star squad to replace Brandon Lowe. pic.twitter.com/azUJaBokGW
— MLB (@MLB) July 4, 2019

At just 22, Torres is batting .298 with 19 home runs on the year, and he really had no business being left off the roster in the first place.

Rays fans are likely not too worried about Lowe's All-Star absence, but should instead be concerned with his availability after the break. If he doesn't come back soon, it could spell big trouble for Tampa's prospects in the playoff race.