Three-time All Star Evan Longoria is set to return to Tampa Bay’s lineup after being sidelined more three months with a partially torn left hamstring.
The Rays said the third baseman will be activated from the disabled list before the game today against Toronto. He was batting .329 with four homers and 19 RBI in 23 games before being injured running the bases against Seattle on April 30.
Tampa Bay was 15-8 before the injury, and 41-44 since.
Longoria returns after eight starts at designated hitter for Triple-A Durham.
L.A. PROTEST DENIED
Major League Baseball has denied the Los Angeles Angels’ protest of their 8-6, 10-inning loss at the Chicago White Sox last Friday night.
The decision by MLB executive vice president Joe Torre was announced on Monday.
Chicago’s Paul Konerko grounded to third with the bases loaded in the first inning. After getting an out at home, catcher Chris Iannetta fired wide to first, pulling Albert Pujols off the bag.
Angels manager Mike Scioscia argued that Konerko was not within the baseline for the last 45 feet, but umpires upheld the safe call and Scioscia protested. A.J. Pierzynski hit a three-run homer with two outs for a 4-1 lead.
SHORT HOPS
White Sox pitcher John Danks had surgery on his left shoulder Monday, and the team expects him to be ready for the start of spring training. … The Nationals claimed shortstop Cesar Izturis off waivers from the Brewers and placed Mark DeRosa on the 15-day disabled list because of a left abdominal strain. … The Diamondbacks claimed catcher Wil Nieves off waivers from the Rockies and placed Henry Blanco on the 15-day DL due to a sprained left thumb. … Jim Thome of the Orioles will be out until mid-September because of a herniated disk. … Rockies first baseman and clubhouse leader Todd Helton will undergo arthroscopic surgery Friday to repair a torn labrum in his right hip. … The Royals allowed left-hander Jose Mijares to leave for the Giants on a waiver claim and recalled left-hander Francisley Bueno from Triple-A Omaha.
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