Brandon Lowe Likely to Return for Baltimore Series

More exciting news for the Tampa Bay Rays as second baseman Brandon Lowe is set to return from injury on Friday for the Rays series against the red hot Baltimore Orioles.

The star slugger has been out for an extended period of time for the Rays with a back injury. Tampa Bay has ranked in the bottom third of the league for much of the season, and a large part of that has been due to the massive amounts of injuries to key members of their lineup.

Despite being out nearly two months, Lowe has been raking at the plate in his two rehab games and appears ready to contribute in the middle of the Tampa Bay lineup soon. With Wander Franco recently hitting the IL for another extended stint, the Rays desperately needed Lowe back.

Friday will also see the return of RHP Luis Patino, giving the Rays more even more optimism as they look to make a run during the second half.

There was a bit of a scare for Lowe after getting hit by a pitch in the helmet during his first at-bat of his rehab assignment by another veteran on rehab assignment, Cardinals left hander Steven Matz. Lowe is feeling good after the incident.

Despite the return of Lowe, the Rays need more offensive firepower if they hope to contend down the stretch. Every team in the AL East has a winning record at the moment, meaning every game will be a dogfight from here out.

Expect the Rays to add pieces to address other holes in on the club as they prepare to make another run. These two returns from injury are keep steeps in that fight.