The Rays got one of their most useful pieces back Sunday, reinstating Ben Williamson from the injured list ahead of the regular-season home finale against the Red Sox at Tropicana Field.
To clear a spot, Tampa Bay designated veteran outfielder Jake Fraley for assignment. Fraley had just come off the 60-day injured list on Tuesday, but his path to meaningful playing time was crowded out by the rise of another left-handed bat, Victor Mesa Jr., making him a tough fit for the postseason roster picture.
Williamson’s job description is much cleaner. The right-handed-hitting infielder is back in the same lane he occupied before a right hamstring strain sidelined him on Aug. 6: sharing second base with Richie Palacios and backing up Taylor Walls at shortstop. That gives the Rays a dependable glove in the middle of the diamond.
He was right back in the lineup Sunday, starting at second base and batting sixth.
In 84 games this season, Williamson has hit .247/.309/.332 with three homers, 26 RBIs and 1.1 wins above replacement. He began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham on Tuesday and got in three games there, including one start apiece at second base, shortstop and designated hitter.
Fraley’s time in Tampa Bay ends with a .216/.289/.364 line, along with two homers and five RBIs in 31 games. He had been out since May 17 because of a hernia.
By moving on from Fraley, the Rays kept Jorge Mateo, the infielder brought in to fill Williamson’s role. Mateo can still give them speed off the bench as a pinch-runner or provide depth in the infield.
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