As first reported by beat writer Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times, Evan Longoria is back in the Rays’ starting lineup on Tuesday night against the Astros after sitting out all weekend following a flareup of the plantar fasciitis in his right foot.
Longoria is batting cleanup and will serve as the Rays’ designated hitter rather than playing third base. That’s mostly just a precautionary measure.
Longo has posted a .917 OPS and tallied 17 home runs and 47 RBI in 80 games this season. He may need random days off down the stretch to protect his right foot, but it’s not an ailment that should require many extended absences.