Now batting for the Rays (in practice Friday): Wander Franco

MILWAUKEE — The Rays are looking forward to having Wander Franco and Harold Ramirez back in their lineup before the end of the month.

They could get a reminder this week of how they will look. Franco and Ramirez may take batting practice before Friday’s game, a visible sign of the progress they have made in recovering from hand injuries.

Franco had surgery after breaking the right hamate bone on a swing July 9; Ramirez’s right thumb is healing after it was broken when hit by a pitch July 17.

Franco and Ramirez both started hitting off a tee, and Franco has also been taking ground balls and throwing. Both will need to go out and play roughly four to five rehab games, but their progression sounds encouraging.

“Wander and Harold might be with us taking BP on the field Friday just to see where they’re at,” manager Kevin Cash said.

Outfielder Manuel Margot, out since June 20 with a patellar tendon strain in his right knee, has started his rehab assignment with the Florida Complex League team and will move soon to Triple-A Durham. The Rays are hoping he will return Aug. 20 when eligible, and that Franco and Ramirez — with no setbacks — will be ready then or within a few days thereafter.

More medical matters

Reliever JP Feyereisen, out since early June with a right shoulder bone bruise, is headed for an MRI on Thursday after being shut down from play catch recently due to discomfort. … A scan of rookie starter Shane Baz’s sprained right elbow “went well,” Cash said. But the chances of him returning this season seem unlikely as he will have to do two weeks of plyometric exercises then look to resume throwing, with a lengthy build-up needed. … Reliever Matt Wisler had injections to try to relax his stiff neck, with a reevaluation Friday to see if he can resume throwing. … Starter Tyler Glasnow (Tommy John rehab) said his Wednesday bullpen session went well, and he remains on schedule to start throwing live batting practice Aug. 20. … Lefty Josh Fleming (oblique strain) is throwing bullpen sessions with no issues and slated to start facing hitters Tuesday. … Pitchers who are continuing to rehab include Nick Anderson and JT Chargois (at Durham), and Yonny Chirinos and Brendan McKay (at Class A Charleston, S.C.).

Miscellany

The Rays have finished .500 or worse on seven of their eight road trips (25-31 overall away from home). ... Cash cited the wasted chance of not scoring with the bases loaded and one out in the eighth inning against ex-Rays lefty Hoby Milner, as Brandon Lowe and Isaac Paredes struck out: “Milner’s tough, keeps the ball down. But we’d like to think that we can put a little pressure on the defense right there with some contact.” … Willy Adames’ walkoff single was his first with the Brewers, having had three with the Rays, last on Sept. 20, 2020. … The Rays went 0-4 vs. the Brewers, just the fifth time they have been blanked in a season series of at least four games, last going 0-4 vs. the 2014 Marlins. ... Randy Arozarena’s homer was his 13th overall, but first since July 17. At 431 feet, it matched the fourth longest by a Ray this season; Lowe hit one 437 feet on April 10. … David Peralta batted leadoff, his first time at the top since 2018 with Arizona. ... After Thursday’s off-day, the Rays play 17 straight days. … The Brewers were 3-40 when trailing after eight innings; the Rays are now 46-3 when ahead.

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