Tampa Bay Rays Have Target Date For Two More Regulars Returning From IL

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash, and Rays fans, should be marking August 20th on their calendars. That's about the time that the team should be getting a huge lineup boost from the return of up to THREE position players, all of them key to what the Rays do.

We reported on Manuel Margot, who's been out since June 20th with a knee injury, starting his rehab assignment, and being just 10 days away, but the Rays can also expect, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, to be getting back two other regulars.

#Rays Franco and Ramirez could start taking batting practice as soon as Friday

— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) August 10, 2022

In addition to Margot, Topkin says the team is also hoping that shortstop Wander Franco and OF/1B Harold Ramirez should be ready around then (or "shortly after") also. They could start taking batting practice as soon as Friday.

Franco has been out since surgery on a fractured hamate bone in his wrist on July 12th. At the time, he was said to need 5-8 weeks to recover. Aug. 20th would put him a bit ahead of schedule.

The same goes for Ramirez, who fractured his thumb on July 17th after getting hit by a pitch.

Manager Kevin Cash said both Franco and Ramirez "are doing well", and that neither player will need an extended rehab period like the one Margot is undertaking.

Photo: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports