Rays Luke Scott Activated from DL – Sean Rodriguez sent to AAA

Scott has hit .225/.279./.438 and hit 12 home runs with 45 RBI this season.

The Tampa Bay Rays activated DH Luke Scott from the 15 day disabled list and optioned infielder Sean Rodriguez to Triple-A Durham. Scott went 8-for-26 (.308) with two home runs and six RBI over eight rehab games. Rodriguez was batting .215/.278/.330 with six homers, 32 RBI and a .608 OPS in 335 plate appearances this season.

Scott was signed in the off-season as the Rays looked to upgrade the position from Johnny Damon. Scott has hit .225/.279./.438 and hit 12 home runs with 45 RBI this season. Scott will be returning after missing the last  month with a strained oblique. This was his second stay on the disabled list in 2012.

Evan Longoria has been serving as the DH for the Rays since his return from the disabled list, and it is unclear where Scott fits in to the Rays lineup at this point. However, manager Joe Maddon said that Longoria would be ready to return to third base sometime later this week.

Rodriguez was acquired from the Los Angeles Angels in a deal that sent Scott Kazmir to the Angels in 2009. Maddon acknowledge that sending Rodriguez down was a tough call to make, however, Rodriguez had minor league options remaining. It is likely Rodriguez will return when rosters expand in September.

Eliot Johnson might have been a candidate to be moved, but the Rays did not want to expose him and risk losing him to a waiver claim. Tampa Bay will now go with Ben Zobrist and Johnson at shortstop, and the newly acquired Ryan Roberts and Jeff Keppinger at second base.

The Rays have been playing some of their best baseball of the season since the All-Star break. The Rays are 23-13, the AL’s top mark during that time.