Rays’ Jonathan Aranda expected to miss next month with fractured wrist

TAMPA — If the Rays are going to make a late push for a playoff bid in August, they’ll need to start without their hottest hitter.

First baseman Jonathan Aranda went on the injured list Friday with a fracture in his left wrist and was told to avoid any activity with that hand for at least three weeks. The recovery time for this type of injury is typically 4-6 weeks.

“I’m hoping that I can come back,” Aranda said in the clubhouse Friday afternoon.

Along with Aranda, the Rays made a bevy of other roster moves following Thursday’s trade deadline.

Reliever Griffin Jax, acquired from the Twins for Taj Bradley, was added to the roster and available for Friday’s game against the Dodgers. Catcher Hunter Feduccia, who came in a deal with Los Angeles, was also activated. Catcher Matt Thaiss was designated for assignment.

Infielder Ha-Seong Kim, who had been out with lower back pain, was activated from the injured list, and infielder Tristan Gray was recalled from Triple A. Reliever Joe Rock and newly acquired outfielder Everson Pereira were both optioned to Durham.

Aranda was reaching for an errant throw during Thursday’s game in New York when his glove got trapped between Giancarlo Stanton’s arm and body as the Yankees designated hitter was running to first. Aranda immediately fell to the ground in obvious pain.

In his first full season in the majors, Aranda has been a revelation for the Rays. He’s third in the American League in hitting with a .316 average, and he leads the Rays with an .871 OPS. Aranda, 27, was named to the All-Star team last month.

Thaiss was acquired from the White Sox in late May and hit .225 with eight RBIs in 25 games for the Rays.

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