Johnny Damon (leg) is out of the Rays' starting lineup for the third straight day Wednesday.

Damon hasn't played being hit in the right leg with a pitch during Sunday's game. He is considered day-to-day. Brandon Guyer will serve as the designated hitter Thursday and bat sixth against Rangers' left-hander Derek Holland.

Johnny Damon (leg) is out of Monday's lineup.

Damon was struck on his right leg by a pitch during Sunday's game and is still a little sore. He should be ready to return to the Rays' starting lineup on Tuesday.

Johnny Damon hit a solo home run in Tampa's 4-1 win over the Rangers on Wednesday.

He also stole his 13th base. Damon homered five times in August, but hit just .234. He'll take a .264/.316/.423 triple slash into September.

Johnny Damon was the Rays' offensive star in the team's losing effort to the Blue Jays Monday, belting a pair of home runs while driving in all three runs.

August has been easily Damon's worst month to this point, but he's evidently trying to make up for lost time. He's given the Rays 13 homers and 12 steals for the season, though his surprisingly-low walk rate has led to a sub-par .317 OBP.

Johnny Damon is not in Tuesday's lineup.

Ben Zobrist is serving as Tampa Bay's designated hitter in the club's series opener against against the Red Sox, the first game of a day-night doubleheader. Damon, who has played in 110 games, is simply being given the day off.

ESPN's Buster Olney reports that there's "a perception in rival camps" that if the Rays decide to become sellers, they'll be willing to deal Johnny Damon.

Of course they would. Damon will be a free agent after the season, and since he's having a nice year, the Rays might as well see what they can get for him now. Olney also points out that Tampa would be willing to trade B.J. Upton, as well, but that's no secret.

Johnny Damon returned to action on Saturday July 9.

Johnny Damon (hand) is back in the Rays' lineup Saturday.

Damon sat out the previous two games after his left hand was struck by a pitch Wednesday. He's batting .279/.327/.426 with nine home runs this season.

Ken Rosenthal speculates the Pirates could be interested in Johnny Damon if the Rays become sellers.

Again, Rosenthal says he is purely speculating, but the mere fact that speculation even exists about the Pirates possibly adding players ahead of the trade deadline shows just how far they've come this season. As for Damon, at this exact moment, it does not appear he will be in a new uniform come August 1.

Johnny Damon (hand) is not in the Rays' starting lineup Thursday against the Yankees.

Damon suffered a contusion on his left hand when he struck by a pitch Wednesday. He's not expected to return to the Tampa Bay starting lineup until Saturday.

X-rays taken Wednesday afternoon on Johnny Damon's left hand showed no fracture.

Damon was forced from Wednesday's game against the Rays after getting hit on the left hand by a pitch. He's being called "day-to-day" with a mild contusion.

Updating a previous item, Johnny Damon has been diagnosed with a left hand contusion.

Damon left Wednesday's game after being hit on the left hand in the top of the third inning. The Rays have sent him for X-rays, so we should learn something more definitive on his status after the game.

Johnny Damon went 3-for-5 with a double and four RBI on Sunday, helping the Rays to an 8-3 win over the Cardinals at home.

Damon is now batting a season-high .284, and has driven in 41 runs through his first 79 games. He looks closer to an All-Star appearance than he does to retirement.

Johnny Damon is not in Wednesday's lineup.

It just looks like a regular off day. Damon has had to play the outfield in National League parks, so it's a good time to give him a day of rest.

Johnny Damon will start in left field Monday against the Brewers.

The Rays don't have the benefit of the DH spot under National League rules, so Damon is forced into the outfield for this one. This will be his first start in the field since the Rays played the Marlins in an interleague matchup last month.

Johnny Damon smacked two doubles and a triple in Tuesday's win over the Angels.

The 3-for-5 performance gives Damon an eight-game hitting streak. He also has hit safely in 19 of his last 21 games, lifting his average from .248 to .288. It was his fifth straight game batting leadoff.

Johnny Damon went 1-for-3 with a walk as the Rays' leadoff man in Friday's loss to the Mariners.

Another day, another new lineup for the Rays. Damon, who hit second and third exclusively over the first two months, has hit fifth, fourth and now first in three games during June. It's not working: the Rays have scored a total of two runs while losing all three games.

Johnny Damon went 2-for-5 with a double in Tampa Bay's loss to the Tigers on Monday.

The two-hit effort was his first in five games, though he has now hit safely in 15 of his 20 May starts, and is batting a solid .269 through 175 at-bats. He has laced 14 extra-base hits.

Manager Joe Maddon said Johnny Damon will play the outfield once during the Rays' three-game interleague series at Florida next weekend.

Owners in weekly leagues should note that Damon only projects to play in a maximum of five games next week. At age 37 with a weak arm, he's a liability in the field.

Johnny Damon said he has a fractured tip of his left middle finger.

His finger won't be fully healed for about four weeks, but he intends to play through the discomfort. Damon returned to the starting lineup Thursday and went 1-for-4 with a single.