ST. PETERSBURG -- Mallex Smith appears to be recovering quickly from the viral infection that placed him on the 10-day disabled list.
"I believe he'll be getting discharged today," Rays manager Kevin Cash said prior to Sunday's series finale vs. the Red Sox. "That's the update I got today. ... He's doing considerably better. His family's with him. It's good news to hear that he's getting out."
Cash said on Saturday that Smith had a "long road back." When asked to re-visit his comment on Sunday, Cash said he meant that Smith would be out for the length of his 10-day stint on the DL. Smith is expected to play again this season.
"Mallex is going to be highly motivated," Cash said about Smith, who came up through the Braves' organization. "It's crushed him that he's not going on this trip to Atlanta.
"This is a big deal to him, his family, his friends all living up there. But knowing him, he'll be champing at the bit, doing everything he can to get back."
Smith is having a breakout season. The speedy outfielder is hitting .307 with two home runs, 31 RBIs, and has 27 stolen bases.
Smith has thrived after getting moved to the leadoff spot on Aug. 5. He is hitting .385 in 16 games since taking over the leadoff spot.