ST. PETERSBURG — The Tampa Bay Rays recalled top prospect Carson Williams from Triple-A Durham on Sunday, returning their Opening Day shortstop to the major league roster while right-hander Ryan Pepiot visited the clubhouse four days after season-ending hip surgery and vowed a 100-percent return in 2027.

Williams, the Rays’ top prospect entering the season, was sent down April 6 after going 3-for-23 (.130) with nine strikeouts in seven major league games. In 32 games at Durham, the infielder batted .238 with five home runs and 21 RBIs before being scratched from Durham’s Saturday game at Gwinnett and catching a late-night flight to Tampa.

“Hopefully, I can help this ballclub out,” said Williams. “They’re doing great and I’m excited to be here.”

Williams said his mindset has shifted since his demotion. “It’s not pressure [to perform] any more,” Williams said. “It’s a will to win and a want to help the ballclub in any way they need. I’ve done a lot of work in Durham and there’s good, there’s bad. Honestly, it’s just about being consistent. Hopefully, I get a bunch of chances up here to help the team.”

“I know I’m still young. When I went down, I knew I still had things to work out. So let’s get these sorted out. When I come back, I don’t want to go back [to Durham], obviously. So just keep making adjustments and keep getting better.”

Pepiot, the Rays’ Opening Day starter in 2025, underwent surgery in Nashville, Tenn., and said he will be on crutches for four weeks with 50-percent weight distribution — a much better initial outcome than he anticipated. He expects normal offseason preparation.

“I’m able to move around and put more weight on it, so it’s not too bad right now,” Pepiot said. “I’m at peace with it. We tried everything [before opting for surgery]. The anti-inflammatory and injection didn’t work. I’m just going to attack the rehab the best I can.”

Pepiot has gone 19-20 with a 3.75 ERA in 57 starts over his previous two seasons with the club. Williams is expected to be in the Rays’ lineup for their next homestand at Tropicana Field.