Tampa Bay Rays: Rasmus Activated, Designate Peterson

The long awaited arrival of Colby Rasmus has arrived as the Tampa Bay Rays have activated the outfielder off the DL, and designated Peterson for assignment.

Prior to their game against the Miami Marlins on Tuesday, the Tampa Bay Rays activated outfielder Colby Rasmus off the 10-day DL and in a corresponding move to accommodate Rasmus, Shane Peterson was designated for assignment.

Sidelined throughout the majority of spring training after offseason hip surgery, and placed on the disabled list to start the season, the long awaited return of Rasmus will be a welcomed addition for the Rays as they struggle to find offensive consistency.

The Rays had originally planned to activate Rasmus off the DL last Friday while the team was in Toronto, but some concern over a groin issue sustained in an outfield collision while at Charlotte and the fact that Rasmus was just 1-for-16 during his rehab stint, a few more days with Montgomery was called for.

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Rasmus split his rehab time between Charlotte and Montgomery, appearing in seven games with a slash line of .087/.154/.261 (2-for-26) with one home run, three RBIs, one double, two walks, and seven strikeouts.

Peterson was called up when Mallex Smith was placed on the DL, he filled in admirably hitting .263/.317/.395 with one home run, 2 doubles and six RBIs in 14 games. His stint with the Rays marked the first time playing in the majors since 2015 when he was with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Signed as a free agent to a one-year, $5 million deal back in January, the Rays are hopeful that being reunited with hitting coach Chad Mottola will help Rasmus return to his previous form when he was with Toronto.

Back in 2013, Rasmus had his best year when he slashed .276/.338/.501 with 22 home runs and 66 RBI where he credits Mottola for his success.

“He helped me to see some things in my swing, and was able to listen to me and some of the things that were going on in my mind, instead of sticking with a cookie-cutter mold,” Rasmus said.

It is expected that Rasmus will be eased into playing, and will eventually get the opportunity to play all of the outfield position – though mostly in left with an occasional start in center when Kevin Kiermaier needs a day off.

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No matter how you look at his return from a defensive or offensive standpoint, having Rasmus will be a welcomed addition for the Rays as they struggle to find offensive consistency.