Rays activate Zobrist from disabled list

BOSTON -- As expected, the Rays activated Ben Zobrist from the 15-day disabled list on Friday, the first day the infielder/outfielder was eligible to come off the DL.

Zobrist has been out since May 15 with a dislocated left thumb. During that period, the Rays went 5-8.

Due to inclement weather and also having to deal with a stomach bug this week, Zobrist played in just one rehab game, on Wednesday night for Class A Advanced Charlotte. He went 1-for-4 with a walk in the Stone Crabs' loss to Dunedin.

"It wasn't exactly how we planned it, but I'm here now," Zobrist said. "I'm excited to be in the lineup."

Zobrist said he felt one game was plenty for him to be ready for action.

"I think so," Zobrist said. "I feel healthy. The DL time is done. I definitely want to be in there to help the team."

Zobrist injured the thumb May 14 at Seattle while sliding head first into second base. He now plans to wear protection over his thumb when he runs the bases.

"It kind of looks like a mitten," Zobrist said. "But it's got a protective shell to protect my thumb if I do anything stupid again. This time hopefully I won't do that."

Zobrist said he feels comfortable in the field without wearing any kind of protection over his thumb. But he did say that he does feel more comfortable hitting left-handed.

"That's because [the injured thumb is] on my top hand," Zobrist said. "Bottom hand, right-handed. I feel like I can take a 100-percent swing. I just haven't swung as much right-handed up to this point. But I know if they put a lefty in there, I'll be able to do it."

Friday marked the fifth consecutive day the Rays have made a roster move.