The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

LUCIUS Fox may be a part of the long-term plans for the Tampa Bay Rays, but the fallout from last week’s trade leaves the club seeking additional compensation for the rookie shortstop.

According to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, the Rays claim Fox came to the club with an undisclosed injury and, despite playing everyday for the Augusta GreenJackets of the South Atlantic Class A League, through the setback.

“Fox had a bruised left foot as the result of fouling a ball off it a week or so before the trade was announced Monday, and had been playing through it, which the Rays were not made aware of,” Topkin said.

“The injury, which sounds like a bone bruise, is not overly serious, though it is expected to keep Fox sidelined 4-6 weeks and thus from playing again before the minor-league season ends. That would mean he would not make his Rays debut until the fall instructional league, missing development time.”

On August 1, Fox was traded to the Rays along with Matt Duffy and Michael Santos in the deal which sent left-handed pitcher Matt Moore to the San Francisco Giants.

With the injury news to Fox, this means all three players the Rays received in the deal are sidelined with Duffy and Santos on the disabled list.

Topkin’s further stated: “Giants GM Bobby Evans told the San Jose Mercury News he was expecting to talk with Rays officials on Saturday. ‘Fox had been playing every day, but I’ll just have to wait to talk with them until I can comment.’ Evans said.”

The Rays will have to await final word from the MLB on the specifics regarding the awarding of compensation.

Fox is listed as the No.7 overall prospect for the Rays, according to MLB.com’s 2016 Prospect Watch. He is ranked second among shortstops after No.1 overall prospect Willy Adames.

Fox, the 19-year-old, 6’2” 170-pound shortstop was the most anticipated signing of the Giants International Prospect class of July 2015.

He made his much-anticipated pro debut this season for the Giants with the Augusta GreenJackets of the South Atlantic Class A League.

In 75 games, Fox hit .207 with 46 runs scored, 25 stolen bases, slugging .277, an on-base percentage of .305, an OPS of .582, two home runs, four triples and six doubles.