KANSAS CITY — The Tampa Bay Rays received a wave of positive injury updates Tuesday, with right fielder Jake Fraley and second baseman Gavin Lux beginning rehab assignments at Triple-A Durham and reliever Manuel Rodríguez throwing live batting practice for the first time since right forearm/elbow surgery last August.
Fraley, recovering from hernia surgery, batted second for the Durham Bulls at Durham Bulls Athletic Park and went 1-for-2 with a walk and an RBI while playing six innings in right field. Lux, sidelined all season by a series of injuries, batted third and went 0-for-4 while playing seven innings at second base. Both were key offseason additions for Tampa Bay and could join the major league roster at some point next month, providing experienced left-handed bats.
“Happy to get those guys going,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said.
At the Rays’ Spring Training complex in Port Charlotte, Fla., Rodríguez faced hitters in live batting practice and posted a video of the session on Instagram showing him throwing a sinker near 95 mph. The right-hander is tracking toward a return after the All-Star break following a few more sessions against hitters and a Minor League rehab assignment. Rodríguez posted a 2.12 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 68 innings over 71 appearances for the Rays from 2024-25, production that could provide a significant second-half boost to Tampa Bay’s bullpen.
At Kauffman Stadium, designated hitter Yandy Díaz returned to the starting lineup batting leadoff after exiting Sunday’s series finale against the Diamondbacks early due to a nagging left shoulder strain. Díaz has been playing through the issue and said he plans to continue doing so.
“I feel good, and the biggest thing is I’ve just got to rest. I’ve just got to recover,” Díaz said through interpreter Kevin Vera. “My main focus right now is getting proper rest and recovering in the right way.”
Fraley and Lux will continue their rehab assignments with the Durham Bulls, with both players potentially available to the Rays at some point next month.