ST. PETERSBURG — The Tampa Bay Rays reinstated outfielder Victor Mesa Jr. from the 10-day injured list Tuesday and slotted him directly into the lineup at Tropicana Field against the Mets, getting a key piece back as active rosters expanded from 26 to 28 players for the final month of the regular season.
“We’re all excited to have him back. He was doing things on both sides of the ball to really help us,” manager Kevin Cash said. “He’s played just tremendous defense for us. I think he got enough timing and at-bats in Durham … so hopefully he didn’t miss a beat, and he can just come help us.”
Mesa had been sidelined since Aug. 19 with a left hamstring strain that first forced him out of the Rays’ 6-5 loss to the Orioles on Aug. 14. He tested the leg by playing five straight days on a Minor League rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham before returning to bat eighth and play right field Tuesday night against Mets left-hander Sean Manaea.
In 56 games this season, Mesa has posted a .214 batting average with 10 home runs, 22 RBIs and six stolen bases. He ranks 12th on the Rays with 1.2 WAR, according to Baseball Reference, and his strong arm has made him a defensive asset across the outfield. Tampa Bay had relied on right-handed hitters Jonny DeLuca and Ryan Vilade in right field during his absence, which began after the club lost Jake Fraley to a hernia.
“Those [rehab] games helped me to kind of have the confidence back. Once I’m here, I’m ready to give my 100% for the team,” Mesa said Tuesday. “Obviously, the best thing that you can do is kind of get that out of your mind and focus and know that you’re healed, that you feel better and keep going. For me, that’s the key. Like, forget that I had that and get it out of your mind and do my best at home plate, in the outfield, whatever. I’m here to help again.”
The Rays also recalled right-handed reliever Alex Cook from Triple-A Durham to fill the expanded roster, but his stay may be brief. Tampa Bay is expected to activate starter Griffin Jax from the 15-day injured list Wednesday to rejoin the rotation. Jax has not started for the Rays since Aug. 2 and was scratched from a scheduled start in Seattle on Aug. 8 before going on the IL with right elbow discomfort. He received an injection to “calm the back of the elbow down” after being examined by Dr. Keith Meister in Dallas on Aug. 10.
Jax progressed through a three-inning rehab start for Durham on Aug. 23 and pitched four innings in a simulated game on Aug. 28, coming out feeling good enough to return. He is expected to take the mound Wednesday night at Tropicana Field.