Tampa Bay Rays Reinstate Key Player

All it took was one rehab game for the Tampa Bay Rays to realize that first baseman/outfielder Harold Ramirez was ready to return to the lineup. He'd been out since July 22nd with a thumb injury. 

#Rays Ramirez said when he and Margot were driving from Durham to Norfolk on Monday, Cash called. And in talking with them, asked Margot how Ramirez looked in his one rehab game Sunday and Margot said he was ready.

— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) August 16, 2022

According to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, all it took was fellow rehabbing Ray Manuel Margot to vouch for him when manager Kevin Cash called. "In talking with them, (Cash) asked Margot how Ramirez looked in his one rehab game Sunday and Margot said he was ready."

Ramirez went 2-for-4 with a double and a walk in that Triple-A game, and his thumb was declared good to go. He's now been activated, and is in the lineup for today's game as the DH, in the 3-hole. 

The 27-year-old will be a welcome addition for the Rays, as he was batting .329 with an .825 OPS before he went down.

To make room, Luke Raley has been optioned to Triple-A. 

Photos: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports