The Rays walked back into Tropicana Field on Friday with a much better injury picture than they’ve had in a while.
Manuel Rodríguez took a real step forward, throwing live batting practice to Ben Williamson and Gavin Lux. For Rodríguez, who has been out since Sept. 3 with a lower back strain, the next stop is expected to be Triple-A Durham for a rehab assignment, with his first outing set for Sunday. Kevin Cash called it a “big step” for Rodríguez to get back on the mound and face hitters, and the timing points toward a return before the end of the season.
Williamson’s day brought similar optimism. The infielder, sidelined since Aug. 6 with a strained right hamstring, joined the Rays’ pregame workout and will remain with the team for three days.
If all goes well, he should head to Durham for a rehab assignment during the Bulls’ final series against Worcester from Sept. 15-20.
That would give Williamson a chance to make it back before the regular season ends and slide back into Tampa Bay’s infield mix.
The Rays have needed coverage there. Jorge Mateo has filled in during Williamson’s absence, though he is now starting at shortstop while Taylor Walls deals with a right hip flexor strain.
Walls also looked to be moving in the right direction Friday, fielding grounders during pregame infield work after getting hurt in Texas last weekend. Getting both Walls and Williamson back would go a long way toward restoring the Rays’ infield heading into the postseason.
There was encouraging news on the mound, too, even if nothing is close to being mapped out yet. Shane McClanahan, dealing with left forearm tightness, played light catch Friday, while Garrett Cleavinger, also bothered by left forearm tightness, is set to play catch Saturday. Cash said it’s still too early to draw any firm conclusions.
“I think that’s a good sign, but you don’t really find anything out until you really go and stand on it,” Cash said. “Encouraged that they’re making progress.”
Lux, who has yet to appear in a game for the Rays this season, will keep taking part in baseball activities. Jake Fraley, out since May 16 with hernia and groin injuries, has not played for Durham since last Sunday after leaving the club to go home, but Cash said he should be back with the Bulls soon.
In Other News...
Rays Enter October With One Huge Question Beyond The AL East Race
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The division race is only part of the story now, because the bigger test for Tampa Bay may be whether this current form can hold once the calendar flips. Analysts point to the same formula the Rays have leaned on during this push: keep the bats producing, navigate the injury picture, and carry enough momentum into October to make the playoff berth mean something. [Read more 🡒]
Rays Give Brody Hopkins A Shot In A Bullpen Battle
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To make the move, the Rays optioned Alex Cook to Triple-A and designated Michael Grove for assignment, clearing a path for Hopkins to get a shot. It is another sign that Tampa Bay is willing to keep turning over the back end of the staff while it looks for the next arm that can stick. [Read more 🡒]
Rays Just Clinched And Now A Bigger Race Takes Over
The Rays are back in the postseason after one of the seasons most dramatic finishes, with Junior Caminero delivering the decisive swing against the Astros in the ninth inning. It was the kind of moment that fit the way Tampa Bay has played under Kevin Cash this year, with a balanced roster that has paired reliable pitching with an offense and defense good enough to keep the club in the hunt deep into September.
Camineros blast was more than a clincher, too, giving the young slugger a milestone night in a season that has steadily raised his profile. For the Rays, though, the bigger picture now shifts from simply getting in to seeing how far this group can push, with the chase for positioning and momentum taking over after a celebration that left just enough unfinished business to keep following. [Read more 🡒]