ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays reinstated Victor Mesa Jr. from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday afternoon, as expected, getting the athletic outfielder back in the mix as active rosters expanded from 26 to 28 players for the final month of the regular season.
Mesa had been on the IL since Aug. 19 due to a left hamstring strain, which had limited him to one pinch-hit appearance and one abbreviated start since the issue forced him to leave the Rays’ 6-5 loss to the Orioles on Aug. 14.
Mesa recovered quickly and tested his leg by playing five straight days on a Minor League rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham last week. He immediately returned to the Rays’ lineup on Tuesday night at Tropicana Field against Mets left-hander Sean Manaea, batting eighth and playing right field.
“We're all excited to have him back. He was doing things on both sides of the ball to really help us,” manager Kevin Cash said. “He's played just tremendous defense for us. I think he got enough timing and at-bats in Durham … so hopefully he didn't miss a beat, and he can just come help us.”
The Rays also recalled right-handed reliever Alex Cook from Triple-A Durham to round out their roster, but his stay might be short. Tampa Bay is expected to activate starter Griffin Jax (right elbow discomfort) from the 15-day injured list to rejoin their rotation on Wednesday night.
It will be Jax’s first start for the Rays since Aug. 2. He was scratched from his scheduled start in Seattle on Aug. 8, went on the IL the next day then received an injection to “calm the back of the elbow down” after being tested by Dr. Keith Meister in Dallas on Aug. 10.
Jax progressed quickly after that. He faced teammates Jake Fraley and Gavin Lux for two innings of live BP at Tropicana Field then made a three-inning rehab start for Durham on Aug. 23. He pitched four innings in a simulated game on Aug. 28 and came out of that feeling good enough to get back to the big leagues.
Mesa’s .214 batting average with the Rays might not jump off the page, but he played a valuable role for Tampa Bay before going on the IL. In 56 games this season, he has recorded 10 home runs, 22 RBIs and six stolen bases. He is a quality defender all over the outfield, and his strong arm is an asset in right field.
“Those [rehab] games helped me to kind of have the confidence back. Once I'm here, I'm ready to give my 100% for the team,” Mesa said Tuesday afternoon. “Obviously, the best thing that you can do is kind of get that out of your mind and focus and know that you're healed, that you feel better and keep going. For me, that's the key.
“Like, forget that I had that and get it out of your mind and do my best at home plate, in the outfield, whatever. I'm here to help again.”
Despite his relatively limited playing time, Mesa ranks 12th on the Rays with 1.2 WAR, according to Baseball Reference. Tampa Bay called on Mesa to serve as the primary right fielder against right-handed pitching after losing Fraley to a hernia, which he is still working his way back from.
In Mesa’s absence, the Rays had been using right-handed hitters Jonny DeLuca and Ryan Vilade in right field.