The Rays’ mediocre start can be somewhat explained by the 10 trips they have already made to the disabled list. That doesn’t explain everything, though.

Shortstop Jason Bartlett has shown the range that was advertised and has looked spectacular at times, but he also showed a disturbing penchant for throwing problems, resulting in four errors in eight games before he was given a day off Sunday to rest a shoulder now described as “a little bit achy” by Manager Joe Maddon.

First baseman Carlos Pena has six home runs, which is just fine, but his batting average is hovering at .206. Starting pitcher Edwin Jackson remains exasperatingly inconsistent, dialing up two spectacular starts to open the season but following that with two flops. B.J. Upton, who is on a roll offensively, still shows a puzzling lack of focus at times - particularly on the base paths. The retooled bullpen, while generally solid, has spit up a couple of games and right field looks like it’s going to be a revolving door all year.

Maddon has groused about his team’s fundamental breakdowns, and the starting pitching has been all over the board.

The injury to Clif Floyd seems to have a particularly strong impact on the lineup, which most nights looks pretty weak after you get past No. 6 in the order. Having his bat out of the middle of the lineup has had an obvious ripple effect that isn’t easily solved. And, of course, having two of their top three starting pitchers out for essentially the season thus far would put any team in a bind. I’ll say this though - you can attribute some of Matt Garza’s struggles to the irritated nerve in his arm, but let’s just say it would be nice to see a little more polish out of the Rays’ No. 3 starter.

I still this is a capable team that has hit a rough stretch of road, but the Rays need to get healthy and they also need to play smarter baseball.