After Rays debut, healthy Lux feels 'like an actual baseball player again'

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – Gavin Lux has been with the Rays throughout Spring Training, but it felt a little like he officially joined the team on Tuesday afternoon.

Lux made his spring debut in the Rays’ 6-5 loss to the Twins at Charlotte Sports Park, playing five innings at second base and going 1-for-3 at the plate. The second baseman had been sidelined since Grapefruit League games began due to what the club described as “general soreness.”

Now, he’s back in the mix.

“I felt like an actual baseball player again,” Lux said afterward. “It felt great just to get back out there, and even just watching baseball live, it was fun being in the dugout and getting to hang out with the guys and talk baseball. Overall, felt really good just to put your cleats in the dirt and get back out there.”

The Rays have maintained that they aren’t worried about Lux – who came to Tampa Bay from Cincinnati in a three-team trade – being ready for Opening Day. With more than two weeks remaining before the season opener in St. Louis, the 28-year-old believes he will have enough time to get comfortable on the field and feel like he has his timing down at the plate.

“I think it's just getting the reps in the game where you're doing everything,” Lux said. “You're not just hitting. You're playing defense, running the bases, all that, and then just catching up on the at-bats, which I'll definitely do.”

Lux will be back in the lineup on Wednesday afternoon against the Braves, manager Kevin Cash said, then play again after Thursday’s off-day. If there are any concerns about him getting enough at-bats, Lux said he would be willing to spend time in Minor League camp, where he can get five or six at-bats at a time by batting every inning.

“We’ve got plenty of time,” Cash said. “He had a good day of work pregame, and then [his] at-bats in there were very good.”

Lux said his unspecified upper-body issue had more of an effect on him swinging, and he credited the training staff for shutting him down to avoid further injury. Given his experience at second base, where he’s expected to be the Rays’ primary option against right-handed pitchers, he’s less concerned about getting back up to speed defensively.

“I think just getting at-bats and then obviously getting my legs back under me are the two most important things, which I'm going to prioritize for sure,” Lux said.

Matz impresses again
Left-hander Steven Matz breezed through four innings of work in his second official start of the spring. The veteran starter needed only 57 pitches (38 strikes) to get through his prescribed workload, permitting just one hit and one walk while striking out three.

“Definitely a good outing. I'm happy with it. Kind of working on the things I need to work on and executing it really well,” Matz said. “Still something to build off of as this build-up through spring keeps going, so definitely a good step in the right direction.”

Matz ran his fastball up to 95 mph, made frequent use of his changeup (which generated three whiffs and a bunch of soft contact) and experimented with a new sweeper. It’s not clear if his next outing will take place in a Grapefruit League game or in a back-field setting, but he is slated to throw five innings next time out.

“That was awesome, man. Really encouraged to see that,” Cash said. “Really encouraged with where he's at.”

Camp notes
• Left fielder Chandler Simpson returned to the lineup after being sidelined by soreness in his left hamstring. Simpson went 0-for-2 with a walk and said his leg “feels great, no second thoughts about it,” and he noted he “definitely” would have played through the injury if it was the regular season.

“But the fact that it's early and it's a long, grueling season, and I need my legs the whole year – just definitely thought it would have been smart of me to be honest and to get on top of it,” Simpson said.

• Center fielder Cedric Mullins (lower back tightness) also got back in the lineup as the DH, and he’s expected to play the outfield Wednesday.

• Reliever Cole Sulser continued his strong spring by recording four outs on only 13 pitches (10 strikes).

• Yandy Díaz (left hand soreness) and Richie Palacios (back tightness) are improving. Díaz took some light swings in the batting cage Tuesday, and Palacios was set for a day of drills to test his status.