ST.PETERSBURG, Fl. – As expected former World Series MVP and two-time American League All-Star Hideki Matsui will join the Tampa Bay Rays for tonight’s game against the Chicago White Sox at Tropicana Field. Matsui signed a minor-league deal with the Rays on April 30. He had been playing for the Durham bulls, the AAA affiliate for the Rays, as he worked itself back into baseball shape. The Rays have been decimated with injuries and Matsui is expected to help add some experience off the bench. The Rays currently have 10 players on the DL
Matsui played 13 games for Triple-A Durham, hitting .170 with no homers and four RBI. Matsui, 37, has played nine seasons in the majors with the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Angels, and Oakland Athletics. He won the World Series MVP in 2009 after the Yankees defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in six games.
Matsui played in 141 games for Oakland in 2011. He batted .251 with 12 home runs and 72 RBIs, mostly as a designated hitter, however, he may see some time in the Rays outfield.
The Rays made room on the roster by optioning outfielder-designated hitter Stephen Vogt to Durham and transferred outfielder Brandon Guyer from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list.
