TAMPA -- Shortly after officially coming off the injured list Thursday afternoon, Richie Palacios promised that he was ¡°ready to go.¡±
He backed up his words in the batter¡¯s box.
Palacios had a career-high-tying three hits, stole a base and scored a run in the Rays¡¯ 6-3 loss to the Yankees on Thursday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field, Tampa Bay¡¯s third straight defeat.
¡°He looked really good. Very comfortable at the plate. Swings looked good,¡± manager Kevin Cash said of Palacios. ¡°I didn't even ask him about his finger. I didn't feel there was a need. He swung the bat really well tonight.¡±
Fresh off the 10-day IL after recovering from a fractured right ring finger, Palacios and Junior Caminero -- who slugged his fifth home run of the season in the third inning -- provided some offensive highlights on a night the Rays left 10 runners on base.
¡°They made some big pitches, and we didn't do what we were needing, hoping to do,¡± Cash said. ¡°We're capable of better, but it just didn't come easy tonight.¡±
Palacios had been sidelined since the final days of Spring Training. To make room for him on the active roster, the Rays optioned infielder Coco Montes to Triple-A Durham.
Palacios initially hoped he would be able to play through the injury, as it didn¡¯t affect his fielding or throwing, but it kept him from gripping a bat. The 27-year-old took some time to recover then resumed game action in extended spring training on Friday. He played two Minor League rehabilitation games for Double-A Montgomery over the weekend, two more for Triple-A Durham on Tuesday and Wednesday, then rejoined the Rays at Steinbrenner Field.
Palacios was immediately inserted into the lineup on Thursday night, batting sixth and starting in left field. He ripped a 102.2 mph double to right-center field in the second inning and scored on Taylor Walls¡¯ sacrifice fly, the only run the Rays scored in five plate appearances with the bases loaded, then picked up two more singles.
¡°I feel great,¡± Palacios said. ¡°Finger¡¯s feeling great. Body¡¯s feeling great.¡±
In four rehab games, Palacios went 3-for-14 with one stolen base, two walks and five strikeouts. He played two games in right field, one in left and one at second base. He said he passed two tests during his rehab stint: swinging as hard as possible with no issues, and getting jammed without any lingering pain.
¡°Now, I can grip the bat fully. I have no limitations there,¡± Palacios said. ¡°When I was playing in the games and that was happening, I knew I was ready to go. And after that, it was just about getting timing down, and I was able to do that.¡±
Palacios¡¯ injury created a spot on the Opening Day roster for Kameron Misner, who has become the Rays¡¯ starting center fielder against right-handed pitchers. Fellow rookie Jake Mangum has also received more playing time following injuries to Palacios, Josh Lowe and Jonny DeLuca, starting in center against lefties and manning right field most other games.
Palacios can play all three outfield spots -- he moved from left to right in the seventh inning Thursday -- so he could start in right or center while serving as a left-handed-hitting complement to left fielder Christopher Morel. He could also back up Brandon Lowe at second base, if needed.
The Rays have mostly used Jos¨¦ Caballero in the outfield since DeLuca¡¯s injury, but Palacios¡¯ return should allow the slick-fielding infielder to get more time at second, third and shortstop. But Palacios¡¯ versatility as an infielder could also be helpful, giving Cash more flexibility to make in-game moves.
¡°It's kind of what we talked about during Spring Training, having two guys that are very similar with their profile, but one hits right-handed, one hits left-handed,¡± Cash said. ¡°I do think it'll help. And it's just another speed guy that, late in games, if he's not in the lineup, he can come in and run the bases well.¡±
Palacios slashed .223/.346/.318 with five homers, 21 RBIs and 19 stolen bases over 92 games in his first season with the Rays. His on-base percentage was the second best on the team last year, and despite missing nearly all of the final two months of the season due to a right knee injury, his 45 walks were tied for third most on the club.
¡°He helps us. When he's in the lineup, he's a huge benefit. When he's not in the lineup, [he helps] because of the versatility,¡± Cash said. ¡°He plays good defense in the outfield, at second base, and generally gives us a pretty complete, good at-bat where he'll see some pitches, make pitchers work and can beat you by shooting, spraying line drives all over the place.¡±