SEATTLE -- Former Rays top prospect Carson Williams has been in this situation before.
But he’s ready to take full advantage of his opportunity -- wherever he’s required.
“All I can do is come up here and try to help this team win some more,” Williams said.
Tampa Bay’s 2021 first-round pick was called up Friday ahead of the Rays’ series opener in Seattle after versatile infielder Ben Williamson was placed on the 10-day injured list. He injured his right hamstring in the ninth inning of the Rays’ 4-0 win over the Rockies on Wednesday.
Williamson appeared to sustain the injury while running to first base after hitting a chopper to second base. Williamson walked back to the dugout in obvious discomfort and had to be helped down the dugout stairs.
Manager Kevin Cash didn’t sound optimistic about Williamson's timeline Friday.
“He’s going to be out some time,” Cash said. “Certainly [a couple] weeks to [see] how he’s responding, but he’s going to miss some significant time.”
Acquired from the Mariners in a three-team trade over the offseason, Williamson has been a key part of the Rays’ infield mix this season, working mostly at second base alongside Richie Palacios while also playing some shortstop and third. In 84 games, Williamson has produced a .247/.309/.332 slash line with three homers and 26 RBIs.
He felt a pop in his leg halfway down the basepath.
“Fast as possible, within reason,” Williamson said Friday of his timeline to return. “There’s no point in me pushing it and reinjuring it. But at the same point in time, in the back of my mind, I want to be back on the field as quick as possible.”
The Rays hope Williams can fill in around the infield and offer the same versatility as Williamson. He’s been getting plenty of reps at second base in Triple-A Durham prior to his call up.
“We need him to definitely have comfort at second,” Cash said.
Williams, who made his debut in August 2025, started the season on the Opening Day roster because of shortstop Taylor Walls’ injury, but was sent down to Triple-A after 12 games. In that short stint, he hit .100.
For Triple-A Durham, he has a .226/.318/.392 slashline with 11 homers and 51 RBIs. Nothing dazzling, but he provides flexibility around the infield for Tampa Bay.
“The swing definitely needs a little bit of work, and that’s what I’ve been doing right now,” Williams said. “I definitely still have the ability to put the ball out of the ball park and make a difference at the plate for this team when I get my opportunities.
“But I also really, really want to help them out on defense and whatever job they need to fill while I’m up here.”