ST. PETERSBURG -- Marco Estrada has been scratched from his final start of the season because of a sore back which has been bothering him for most of the season.
Estrada originally was expected to start Sunday's season finale against the Rays, but that outing will instead go to right-hander Sam Gaviglio. Estrada officially finishes his 2018 season with a 7-14 record and 5.64 ERA in 28 starts.
The 35-year-old Estrada received stem cell injections into his lower back earlier this week. The belief is that the injections, combined with a prolonged period of rest, will help resolve the lingering soreness Estrada has felt for most of the year.