The Rays optioned Simpson to Triple-A Durham on Friday, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.
The 24-year-old speedster enjoyed a strong start to his big-league career with a .285 batting average, 19 steals, 11 RBI and 17 runs in his first 35 games, but he's being demoted Friday with Jake Mangum (groin) making his return from the injured list. It's likely only a matter of time before Simpson rejoins the Rays this season, but for now he'll return to Durham, where he may focus on improving his defense after posting minus-5 DRS and minus-3 OAA in 284 outfield innings.
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Rays' Chandler Simpson: Swipes two more bags
Rotowire
Simpson went 1-for-4 with a pair of stolen bases in Wednesday's 5-0 win over the Twins.
Simpson's now stolen nine bases in his last 11 games, improving to 16-for-19 in steal attempts this season. The rookie outfielder has also been swinging the bat well, going 17-for-50 (.340) in his last 15 contests. Overall, Simpson is slashing .286/.312/.319 with 11 RBI and 16 runs scored through his first 126 plate appearances this year.
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Rays' Chandler Simpson: Racking up stolen bases
Rotowire
Simpson went 2-for-5 with an RBI, a run scored and a stolen base Sunday against the Blue Jays.
Simpson was out of the lineup for three straight games due to injuries to his hand and face to begin the week, but that hasn't deterred him from being aggressive on the basepaths. After Sunday's performance, he has at least one stolen base in six of his last eight games. Simpson has seven total steals in that span, bringing his total to 14 across 31 games.
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Rays' Chandler Simpson: Swipes bag in return
Rotowire
Simpson went 1-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base Wednesday against the Astros.
Simpson was out of the lineup for the previous three days due to a combination of injuries to his hand and face. He singled in the first inning to deliver his 10th RBI of the season. Simpson later stole his 12th bag of the campaign and is now has a .281 average (16-for-57) in May.
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Rays' Chandler Simpson: Back in starting nine Wednesday
Rotowire
Simpson (hand/face) will start in left field and bat sixth in Wednesday's game against the Astros, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.
Simpson will be back in the lineup for the first time since Saturday, when he exited early in the Rays' 4-0 win over the Marlins due to a sore hand and some facial injuries. He wasn't available for the series finale versus Miami on Sunday, but Simpson was deployed off the bench in both of the first two games against Houston and contributed a pair of stolen bases Monday. His absences from the lineup Monday and Tuesday likely had more to do with the Astros sending lefties to the hill, but the left-handed-hitting Simpson will pick up a start Wednesday against Houston right-hander Hunter Brown.
Rays' Chandler Simpson: Two stolen bases off bench
Rotowire
Simpson (hand) had two stolen bases as a pinch runner and defensive replacement in Monday's loss to Houston. He reached base on catcher's interference in his lone plate appearance.
Simpson suffered hand and facial injuries after making a hard slide into home plate Saturday. He didn't play in Sunday's game. He was out of the starting lineup Monday, but that was more likely due to a left-handed pitcher starting the game. It looks like he's back to full speed after Monday's game.
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Rays' Chandler Simpson: Available off bench
Rotowire
Simpson (hand) remains out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Astros.
While Simpson will be out of the lineup for a second straight day, it sounds like it's more because the Astros are starting a lefty in Colton Gordon, rather than any concerns about the right hand injury that kept him out Sunday. Rays manager Kevin Cash said the rookie outfielder is "good to go" and available off the bench Monday, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports. Christopher Morel is in left field and batting third for the Rays on Monday. Simpson could be back in the starting lineup as soon as Tuesday, although the Rays are scheduled to face another southpaw that day in Brandon Walter, so it's possible Tampa Bay holds Simpson back until Wednesday.
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Rays' Chandler Simpson: Nursing sore hand
Rotowire
Simpson (face) had his right hand wrapped up due to soreness and is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Marlins, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.
The 24-year-old had some facial injuries after making a hard slide into home plate Saturday, but his hand now appears to be more of an issue as he had a bit of trouble gripping a bat Sunday. Manager Kevin Cash indicated Simpson could still be available in an emergency for Sunday's contest, so the hand injury doesn't appear to be a serious concern.
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Rays' Chandler Simpson: Expected back Sunday
Rotowire
Simpson suffered a bloody nose and lip during Saturday's game against the Marlins but is expected to play Sunday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Simpson suffered a concerning looking injury after being tagged out at home plate in the ninth inning of Saturday's game. However, he avoided serious injury and could avoid missing any additional time.
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Rays' Chandler Simpson: Five-game hitting streak
Rotowire
Simpson went 3-for-3 with an RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base Friday against the Marlins.
Simpson began his time in the majors hitting leadoff, but he has hit eighth and ninth in his last two games, coinciding with the return of Josh Lowe. Simpson had slowed down considerably at the plate but is now riding a five-game hitting streak, during which he has gone 9-for-20 with three RBI, five runs scored and one stolen base.
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Rays' Chandler Simpson: Leaves early with injury
Rotowire
Simpson was removed from Saturday's game against the Rays with an apparent injury, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Simpson looked to be in a considerable amount of pain after being tagged out at the plate in the ninth inning. After being tended to by the Rays' trainers, he was able to walk off the field under his own power. It's not immediately clear what kind of injury he's dealing with, but the team should offer more information relatively soon.
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Rays' Chandler Simpson: Two doubles Sunday
Rotowire
Simpson went 2-for-4 with two doubles and a run scored Sunday against the Brewers.
After a hot start to his big-league career, Simpson has slowed considerably across his last 10 contests. Even with Sunday's two-hit performance, he is hitting only .212 in that span with two RBI, five runs scored -- albeit with four stolen bases. Simpson also remains the Rays' primary leadoff hitter and has started 17 of 20 games since being promoted.
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Rays' Chandler Simpson: Not in Rays' lineup
Rotowire
Simpson is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Phillies, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.
Tough southpaw Jesus Luzardo is on the bump for the Phillies, so the Rays will give the lefty-hitting Simpson a breather. They are starting fellow left-handed-swinging Kameron Misner in center field for the series finale.
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Rays' Chandler Simpson: Swipes two bags off bench
Rotowire
Simpson entered Saturday's 3-2 win over the Yankees as a pinch runner in the eighth inning, swiping two bags and scoring a run before grounding out in his only plate appearance in the ninth.
With the Rays down 2-1, the rookie speedster replaced Christopher Morel at first base after a leadoff single, and Simpson pilfered both second and third before being driven home by Curtis Mead. It's the first time in 13 big-league games that Simpson has stolen multiple bags, but it likely won't be the last. He's slashing .286/.327/.306 to begin his career with five stolen bases in six attempts.
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Rays' Chandler Simpson: Idle vs. left-hander
Rotowire
Simpson isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Yankees, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.
Simpson will step out of the starting nine Saturday with left-hander Ryan Yarbrough set to take the mound for New York. Christopher Morel, Kameron Misner and Jose Caballero will start across the Rays' outfield.
Simpson went 3-for-4 with a walk, a stolen base, an RBI and two runs in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Padres.
Though he's produced just one extra-base hit (a double) through his first 33 big-league plate appearances, Simpson has provided a major spark for the Rays since his promotion from Triple-A Durham thanks to his speed, contact skills and ability to get on base. He's now hit safely in each of his first eight MLB games, slashing .400/.455/.433 with five runs, three RBI and three steals. The Tampa Bay outfield will eventually get more crowded when the likes of Jonny DeLuca (shoulder), Josh Lowe (oblique), Jake Mangum (groin) and Richie Palacios (knee) return from the injured list, but if Simpson continues to thrive against big-league pitching, manager Kevin Cash will have a tough time keeping him out of the lineup.
Rays' Chandler Simpson: Not starting against lefty
Rotowire
Simpson isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Simpson has logged a base hit in all three games he's played in the majors so far while also tacking on two stolen bases. He'll get a chance to catch his breath Wednesday, opening a spot in left field for Christopher Morel to start and bat fourth against southpaw Eduardo Rodriguez.
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