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| Updating an earlier item, Willy Aybar's injured left wrist is said to be in a plastic splint, and he should miss no more than a week of practice, according to the Tampa Tribune. |
Our View: Aybar is not a starter, but this is still not a great way for the Rays to begin Spring Training. Hopefully the team's prognostication of a week ends up being correct.
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| Willy Aybar (sprained wrist) is currently not participating in drills at Rays' Spring Training, according to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times. |
Our View: He sprained the wrist playing winter ball last month, but the team initially said it would not affect him at Spring Training. Looks like they were wrong. In 296 at-bats last season, Aybar hit .253 with 12 home runs and 41 RBI.
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| Willy Aybar has been shut down in winter ball after suffering a sprained right wrist, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: The injury does not appear to be too serious, and Aybar should be fully healed by spring training. Aybar could have a chance to compete for a starting gig for Tampa Bay but will more likely be used in his usual utility role.
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| Willy Aybar helped lead the Rays in tonight's 3-1 win over the Orioles at Tropicana Field, as he went 3-for-4 with three singles and an RBI. |
Our View: Aybar has a hit in three straight games, with five RBI over the span.
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| As expected, Willy Aybar is penciled into tonight's lineup at Toronto in place of Evan Longoria at third, according to the Tampa Tribune. |
Our View: Longoria is out to rest his ailing hamstring, and opposing hurler Scott Richmond has been tough on righties. Aybar is a career .345 hitter against Toronto over 29 at-bats, and is worth a look if you need help with your corner infield tonight.
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| Willy Aybar hit his fifth home run of the season in Tampa Bay's 9-5 win over the Angels. He finished the game 2-for-3 with a walk, three RBI, and two runs scored. |
Our View: Aybar has seen a big jump in playing time with Jason Bartlett on the DL. However, Bartlett should be back within the week, and Aybar will likely go back into a utility role when he does.
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| Willy Aybar has been scratched from Monday's lineup due to a migraine, according to the St. Petersburg Times. |
Our View: Ben Zobrist will now cover second base with Reid Brignac at shortstop. Aybar should return to the diamond soon.
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| The Rays could only muster one run on Thursday in their 2-1 loss to the Indians, and that run came on a solo shot by Willy Aybar. Aybar was 2-for-4 on the day with the home run and a single. |
Our View: There wasn't much offense from either team today, but Aybar's home run provided some excitement as it was reviewed and upheld by instant replay. It didn't affect the game much, but was yet another example of how instant replay gets the job done.
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| Willy Aybar hit a home run in the bottom of the 11th inning on Tuesday, but it wasn't enough as the Rays fell to the A's 4-1. Aybar was 2-for-5 on the game. |
Our View: Aybar's homer was meaningless with the Rays already down four, but it was nice to see him show some power. He has no fantasy value as he does not play every day.
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| Willy Aybar went 3-for-3 in Wednesday's 7-3 win over the Reds. All three of his hits were singles. |
Our View: He is now hitting .421 in spring action. He is a solid utility man for the Rays, but does not offer enough to be useful in anything but deeper AL-only leagues.
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| Willy Aybar hit his first home run of the spring in the Rays'3-1 win over the Reds on Saturday. He finished the game 1-for-3 with a run, RBI, and a strikeout. |
Our View: Aybar remains a very valuable player for Tampa Bay, but there is little reason to consider him in fantasy leagues. He plays multiple positions and carries a reliable bat. At just 26, he could still be worthy of an everyday role in the future, especially if injuries strike.
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| Updating an earlier report, Willy Aybar's contract is worth $2.6 million over two years, according to the Associated Press. |
Our View: Aybar gives the Rays some decent pop off of their bench, as he slugged 10 home runs last year in 324 at-bats.
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| Willy Aybar has agreed to a multi-year deal with the Rays, according to Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the Rays were able to avoid an arbitration hearing. |
Our View: Aybar's fantasy value is limited, but he is a valuable utility man for Tampa Bay.
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| The Rays are close to inking Willy Aybar to a two-year deal, according to the St. Petersburg Times. The contract is also expected to include an option for a third year and agent Luis Valdez said, "It should be done real soon. We are just down to the details right now. The Rays have been great. This is going to be a great deal for Willy and his family."
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Our View: Aybar's fantasy stock is limited, but he is a valuable utility man for the Rays.
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| The Rays are still talking to Willy Aybar, according to the St. Petersburg Times. Aybar covets $1.050 million, but the Rays offered $900,000. Besides Aybar, the Rays' only other arbitration eligible player is Dioner Navarro. |
Our View: Aybar's fantasy value is limited, but he is a valuable utility man for the Rays.
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| Willy Aybar and Cliff Floyd will likely be on the bench for the next three World Series games with the series moving to the home of the Phillies which will eliminate the use of the DH, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: The Rays pitchers will have their work cut out for them being that they hardly ever hit, though this move also has the added benefit of giving the Rays a much more potent bench to draw on late in games.
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| Willy Aybar was 2-for-3 with a double, home run, two runs scored and an RBI in Tampa Bay's 3-1 victory over Boston. |
Our View: Aybar is hitting .421 in 27 at-bats in this postseason. He was a critical element in the Rays' Game 4 and Game 7 wins.
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| Switch-hitting DH Willy Aybar will be in the Rays' lineup for Game 7 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday night against the Red Sox, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Aybar is hitting .375 in the ALCS with a home run and five RBIs. He is hitting .333 with a home run and three RBIs from the right side in the ALCS.
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| DH Willy Aybar was 4-for-5 with five RBI as the Rays won 13-4 in Boston on Tuesday night. He hit three singles to go with his third inning home run. |
Our View: Aybar has played a clutch role for the Rays in this postseason. He should continue to see plenty of at-bats throughout the rest of playoffs, but he could be benched in NL ballparks when the Rays cannot use the DH.
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| Starting in place of first baseman Carlos Pena, Willy Aybar went 2-for-3 with a run and a sacrafice bunt on Friday. |
Our View: Aybar was 1-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored in Game 1 and he has stepped up for the Rays in Pena's unfortunate absence.
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| Willy Aybar hit his 10th home run of the season off of Boston starter Tim Wakefield in the first inning and never looked back. He finished the night 3-for-5 with three RBI and two runs scored. |
Our View: Aybar's come up big against the Red Sox all season. He is now 12-for-29 against Red Sox pitchers in 2008.
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| On the day that it was announced that Evan Longoria's comeback had slowed a bit, Willy Aybar had two hits, including his ninth home run, and three RBI for the Rays. |
Our View: Aybar has gone deep five times in his last 22 games as he continues to offer a fair approximation of what team's expect, offensively, from a major league third baseman.
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| Willy Aybar had three hits including his eighth home run of the year in the Rays 3-2 victory over the Jays. |
Our View: Aybar is hitting .282 with four home runs and 11 RBI in August, and while that may not match what the club was getting from Evan Longoria, Aybar has still done a fine job filling in for the superstar rookie.
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| Willy Aybar had three hits and scored two runs in the Rays' 6-4 win over the Angels Monday. |
Our View: The Rays haven't missed Evan Longoria as much as they thought they would with how well Aybar has performed. He's batting .367 with three homers and seven RBI over the last eight games.
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| Cliff Floyd was absent from the Rays' starting lineup for the fourth consecutive game Tuesday, and Willy Aybar once again got the start. Floyd told the Tampa Tribune that he isn't 100 percent but was "feeling good enough" to start. The Rays manager Joe Maddon has decided to keep his veteran slugger on the bench and ride the hot hand of Aybar. |
Our View: Aybar entered Tuesday on a five-game hitting streak, going 7-for-17 with three doubles and a homer during that stretch. Floyd was 1-for-12 with six strikeouts on the current road trip and hadn't played since going 0-for-4 with a walk Friday in Texas.
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| Infielder Willy Aybar has been activated from the DL, according to the St. Petersburg Times. He will cover the roster spot for closer Troy Percival, who was placed on the DL with his left hamstring strain. |
Our View: Aybar is in the lineup for tonight at DH and batting eighth, with Jonny Gomes in rightfield. Aybar was starting at third base prior to his injury, but future star Evan Longoria stepped into that spot. Aybar was hitting .292, but his fantasy value will be limited while working in a utility role.
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| Willy Aybar played second base for Triple-A Durham on Tuesday and will do so again on Wednesday. The infielder could be ready to come off the DL as soon as Thursday, the Tampa Tribune reports. Aybar has been out since early April due to a strained left hamstring. |
Our View: Aybar had been starting at third before his injury, but that spot now belongs to Evan Longoria. Willy will be a utility guy when he returns, and we don't envision him having much fantasy value.
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| Willy Aybar is close to being able to return to action for the Rays, according to MLB.com. He has missed 40 games with a strained left hamstring. "He played [Friday] night, batted fourth for Durham ... [and] he's doing well," manager Joe Maddon said. "So he's moving along well. He's starting to run better. He's starting to field better. Now is a good time to get him to play a couple of games in a row to see how that happens. He's playing again [Saturday night]. I think the plan is three games in a row, then see what he looks like." |
Our View: The Rays would like Aybar to add the outfield to the list of positions he can play, but the plan for now is to concentrate on third, first and second base.
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| Willy Aybar, who is recovering from a left hamstring strain, said he expects to start playing in games in a week, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Aybar performed well as he went 7-for-24 (.292) with one homer and two RBI over seven games, but won't hold much fantasy value when he returns, as Evan Longoria has stepped into his starting spot at third base following Aybar's trip to the DL.
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| Willy Aybar has been placed on the 15-day DL due to his hamstring ailment, according to the AP. His injury freed up a roster spot for future Star Evan Longoria. |
Our View: Aybar played well as the Rays' starter at third base, but he will likely lose his spot to Longoria when he returns, and his fantasy value has declined.
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| Manager Maddon stated that Willy Aybar will not likely start at third base against Baltimore tonight, according to MLB.com. Utility man Eric Hinske replaced Aybar at third in the Rays' last game, and he notably belted his second homer of the season. Aybar is battling hamstring tightness, but could be available as a pinch-hitter. |
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| Willy Aybar is out of the Rays' lineup today, according to the Tampa Tribune. He is battling hamstring tightness and Eric Hinske takes his place at third base. |
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| Tampa Bay third bagger Willy Aybar enjoyed his first multi-hit performance of the season, going 3-for-4 with two doubles in the 1-7 loss to Seattle. Aybar was the lone offensive note of joy for the Rays on the evening and has raised his seasonal batting average to .294. |
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| Manager Joe Maddon said he still expects Willy Aybar to start on opening day, but he admitted that Joel Guzman could get the nod, according to the St. Petersburg Times. Aybar was 1-for-2 with two walks in a minor league game Thursday, as he continues to work his way back from a sore left hamstring. |
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| Willy Aybar was "still not ready" to take part in Thursday's spring game because of a sore left hamstring, notes the St. Petersburg Times. Rays skipper Joe Maddon told the media on Thursday morning that he expects Aybar to be ready opening day. "I still believe he's going to be fine to play in that game. I'm not hearing anything that leads me to believe that he won't be."
The staff wants Aybar, who is 8-for-28 this spring, to sneak in some at-bats before the opener. He will start at third base if he's healthy. |
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| Willy Aybar remains out of the lineup due to a sore hamstring, according to the Tampa Tribune. Aybar may still be able to start at third base on opening day. He'll hold down the role until the Rays listen to reason and call up Evan Longoria. |
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| Willy Aybar's two-run double in Monday's game against Detrot helped his cause for earning the starting third base gig in Tampa. Aybar was 2-3 with two RBI on the day raising his spring average to .300. Aybar is battling with would-be rookie Evan Longoria for the starting role at third. |
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| Willy Aybar and Joel Guzman are expected to arrive in Rays camp Wednesday after being stuck in the Dominican Republic because of visa issues, according to the St. Petersburg Times. Both players will provide competition this spring at third base for top prospect Evan Longoria. Aybar didn't play in Atlanta last year while dealing with numerous off-the-field issues. He would be worth a late-round AL-only pick if he starts the year at third. |
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| Willy Aybar was released from jail in the Dominican Republic Wednesday after his wife dropped a domestic violence complaint against him, the Tampa Tribune reports. According to an ESPN story, the Rays sent a letter of support to the authorities in Bani, saying they would put Aybar in a special program to improve his behavior. “I know that if I focus, I can get to be a great baseball player,” Aybar told ESPN, “but I also want to be a good father, husband and citizen.” Aybar, who was acquired from the Braves last month, expects to compete for playing time at third base with stud prospect Evan Longoria in spring training. |
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| Willy Aybar, who hopes to battle for playing time in the Rays IF this season, is apparently being held on charges of domestic violence in the Dominican Republic. "Aybar is in jail since last week, and he could spend at least three more months in jail if he is convicted of domestic violence," said Jesus Fernandez Velez, the prosecutor in the case. If this estimate is true, Aybar would be extremely doubtful to play with the big league club before May at the earliest, which would give rookie Evan Longoria a possible shot at beginning the year in the majors. |
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| The Braves traded Willy Aybar and minor league infielder Chase Fontaine to Tampa Bay Thursday in exchange for left-hander Jeff Ridgeway, according to the AP. Aybar, who batted .280 with four homers and 30 RBI in 79 games last year before undergoing season-ending hand surgery, will give Tampa some depth at third base in case rookie Evan Longoria struggles at the outset of the season. |
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| Willy Aybar underwent surgery on Tuesday to repair a broken hamate bone in his right hand, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. He will be out for six-to-eight weeks. |
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| The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Willy Aybar is a patient in a substance-abuse rehabilitaion clinic. How long he remains there is supposed to be up to doctors, but no timetable for the length of his stay is known. Aybar remains suspended by the Braves for going AWOL last month, and his agent had said Aybar was dealing with a drinking problem. It's not clear if he would rejoin the Braves once he's cleared to leave rehab. |
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| Everyone from Vladimir Guerrero to Willy Aybar's mother and brother Erick have tried to contact the missing infielder to no avail, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He's been suspended indefinitely by the Braves for not showing to up rehab his injured wrist, and it's believed he has a substance-abuse problem. "I'd never known him to have any drug or alcohol problems in the Dominican," Erick Aybar said. "He's a different guy [now]. I don't know what's going on with Willy." |
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| The agent for Willy Aybar told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Thursday that his client had a substance-abuse problem and had gone to Boston to seek help from his brother. Aybar was supposed to meet with MLB officials in New York and be examined by a doctor Thursday, but he still hadn't arrived or contacted MLB or the Braves by Friday night. He remains suspended indefinitely by the Braves. |
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| Willy Aybar failed to appear yesterday for injury rehab and an expected meeting with manager Bobby Cox, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was already on thin ice with the Braves, as he was riding a three-game suspension for reportedly not showing up for treatment over the weekend. GM John Schuerholz said the suspension has now been extended indefinitely. |
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| The Braves have suspended Willy Aybar three games for violating a team rule, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. It's believed that Aybar, who is on the disabled list with a sore wrist, didn't report for treatment over the weekend and didn't call to explain his absence. |
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| Willy Aybar still can't bat left-handed and is not close to returning from the DL, according to the AP. He's recovering from a sore wrist. |
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| On Friday, the Braves placed Willy Aybar on the disabled list, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He's been battling a wrist injury throughout training camp. |
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| Switch-hitter Willy Aybar returned to action yesterday, but when the Tigers put in a right-handed pitcher, he asked out of the game due to his sore wrist, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "He couldn't hit [left-handed]," said manager Bobby Cox. "I had to take him out. He said he could do it [Saturday] morning. But then [in the game] he said he couldn't hit left-handed." Since Aybar still isn't healthy and has played only four spring games, odds are he's going to begin the season on the DL. |
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| Willy Aybar plans to return to exhibition action today, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. It's still possible that his sore wrist could land him on the disabled list when the season gets underway. |
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| The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that there's growing frustration in the Braves' organization over Willy Aybar's inability to play through what they consider to be a minor injury. Aybar has been limited to just three spring games due to his sore wrist and may end up beginning the season on the disabled list. |
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| Willy Aybar arrived at camp late due to visa problems and currently is sidelined with a sore hand, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He should return to action this week and is slated to back up Chipper Jones at third base when the season begins. |
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| Willy Aybar was scratched from Monday's lineup with an upset stomach, according to the AP. He was replaced by Martin Brado. |
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| The Braves activated Willy Aybar from the DL Friday. He had been out with a broken hand. |
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| The Braves placed Willy Aybar on the DL with a broken hand on Saturday, according to the AP. Aybar actually injured the hand on July 30, but has been playing through the pain. Regardless, Aybar would have lost out on playing time in the near future anyway, as Chipper Jones is expected to come off the DL on Sunday. |
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| Willy Aybar should play every day at third with Chipper Jones on the DL, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Aybar was acquired Friday from Los Angeles, where he hit .250 with three homers and 22 RBIs in 43 games. |
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