Rays’ Manuel Margot starts rehab assignment, slated for Aug. 20 return

MILWAUKEE — Oufielder Manuel Margot started his rehab assignment Tuesday and is on a schedule to rejoin the Rays on Aug. 20 when eligible to come off the injured list.

“That’s the hope,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said.

Margot, who strained the patellar tendon in his right knee on June 20, went 0-for-3 as the DH for the Florida Complex League team in a rain-shortened game. He will play a few days in the complex league, then join Triple-A Durham.

“There’s a schedule that we have in place — I don’t think anything’s like hard line — but very happy with where he’s at,” Cash said Tuesday. “He’ll have a mix of outfield and then we’ll just continue to see how his knee responds.”

The Rays are hoping that two other key injured players, shortstop Wander Franco and outfielder/DH/first baseman Harold Ramirez, are back around the same time as Margot or shortly thereafter.

Franco broke the hamate bone in his right hand July 9 and had surgery; Ramirez broke his right thumb when he was hit by a pitch July 17 and did not need surgery.

Though neither has started hitting yet, Cash said both could still be ready in that window since they would need a shorter rehab time.

“I have no update on Wander or Harold at all other than that they’re doing well,” Cash said. “So I don’t think they’re going to be rehabbing quite yet. ... Manny’s injury was a little different.”

Relievers JT Chargois and Nick Anderson have been rehabbing at Durham and will continue to do so for now.

Shane Baz, out since mid-July with a right elbow sprain, had a visit this week with specialist Dr. Keith Meister, so the Rays may have an update soon. There has been little progress for JP Feyereisen, out since early June with a bone bruise in his right shoulder, and he is now shut down from playing catch. That seems to make it unlikely either will return this season.

Ghost stories

There wasn’t much chatter in the clubhouse Tuesday about any paranormal activity at the supposedly haunted Pfister Hotel where the team is staying — except from Yandy Diaz. Admittedly the most worried Ray heading to Milwaukee, Diaz said he had an encounter on Monday’s off-day: “When I was sleeping, I felt something that was touching me.” Understandably, he said he is eager to head home after Wednesday’s matinee.

Miscellany

Ryan Yarbrough took the loss and is now 0-8 over his last 14 appearances, last winning Sept. 24, 2021. ... The Rays are 13-22 in series openers, including 4-13 on the road. ... The game was the Rays’ first in Milwaukee since June 22, 2011. ... Jose Siri’s sevnth-inning RBI was his first since the Aug, 1 trade from Houston. ... Tyler Glasnow will throw another bullpen session Wednesday in front of pitching coach Kyle Snyder, then probably two more before advancing to live batting practice on Aug. 20. ... First baseman Kyle Manzardo, the Rays’ 2021 second-round pick from Washington State, was promoted to Double-A Montgomery after hitting .329 with 17 homers, 55 RBIs and a 1.072 OPS in 63 games for High A Bowling Green. ... The Rays will keep their rotation in order against the Orioles, starting Corey Kluber, Shane McClanahan and Drew Rasmussen all with two extra days of rest. ... Cash said Pete Fairbanks’ outing on Sunday at Detroit was the best of his seven since coming off the injured list July 17; he had been sidelined since March with a lat strain: “That’s about as powerful stuff I’ve seen out of him since he’s come back from the injury, so really happy with that.” … Saturday’s game against the Orioles is Margaritaville day, with advance tickets packages that include a straw hat; see raysbaseball.com/tickets.

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