The offensively challenged Tampa Bay Rays get some help tonight against the Cleveland Indians in the form of outfielder Matt Joyce returning from the DL. Joyce has been on the DL for a month with an oblique injury.
Joyce played two rehab assignment games with the Single-A team in Port Charlotte, where he went 2-8 with a double. He is scheduled to hit fourth in tonight’s lineup. In a corresponding move, Will Rhymes was optioned to Triple-A Durham, to make room for Joyce.
There was some speculation about who would be sent out to make room for Joyce including Hideki Matsui. Rhymes had hit .233 with one home run 45 games.
Rays manager Joe Madden address the issue this afternoon as reported by Rays beat writer Roger Mooney
#Rays Maddon said Rhymes sent down because with lefty Joyce back and Zobrist at 2B there would be little to no playing time for Rhymes
— RMooneyTrib (@RMooneyTrib) July 17, 2012
