ST. PETERSBURG — The Tampa Bay Rays reinstated outfielder Victor Mesa Jr. from the 10-day injured list Tuesday afternoon and recalled right-handed reliever Alex Cook from Triple-A Durham as active rosters expanded from 26 to 28 players for the final month of the regular season.
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. The injury limited him to one pinch-hit appearance and one abbreviated start before the club placed him on the IL.
Mesa’s .214 batting average with the Rays does not jump off the page, but his production has been meaningful. In 56 games this season, he has recorded 10 home runs, 22 RBIs and six stolen bases. He ranks 12th on the Rays with 1.2 wins above replacement, according to Baseball Reference, despite his relatively limited playing time.
The athletic outfielder had been serving as Tampa Bay’s primary right fielder against right-handed pitching after Jake Fraley went down with a hernia. Fraley is still working his way back. In Mesa’s absence, the Rays had turned to right-handed hitters Jonny DeLuca and Ryan Vilade in right field.
Mesa is considered a quality defender across all three outfield positions, and his strong arm has been a particular asset in right field.
Cook’s recall from Durham gives the Rays bullpen depth heading into September. The club is also expected to activate starter Griffin Jax from the 15-day injured list to rejoin the rotation in the coming days, potentially as soon as Wednesday.