According to Tampa Bay Rays reporter Marc Topkin, shortstop Wander Franco and outfielder Harold Ramirez could resume live batting practice as early as Friday.
#Rays Franco and Ramirez could start taking batting practice as soon as Friday
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) August 10, 2022
Franco has been sidelined since July 9 after undergoing surgery to repair a broken bone in his right wrist. The 21-year-old has dealt with several nagging injuries this season and was slashing a disappointing .260/.308/.396 before his recent ailment.
As for Ramirez, he continues to recover from a fractured right thumb, an injury sustained a day before the All-Star break. The former Cleveland Guardian has been among the Rays’ best players in 2022, posting a .329 batting average to go along with four home runs, 35 RBI, and a .825 OPS across 264 plate appearances.
Despite being ravaged by injuries for much of the season, Tampa Bay still boasts a 58-51 record and is currently 0.5 games up on the Baltimore Orioles for the final AL Wild Card spot.
FanDuel Sportsbook has the Rays at +132 on the moneyline for Wednesday’s contest against the Milwaukee Brewers.