Will

Rhymes

Rhymes appeared in 29 games with Detroit last season and was competing for a utility role with the Rays this spring. He’ll continue to serve as organizational depth in the minors.

Jennings has now missed two straight games since making an early exit Sunday with a left knee sprain. He’s confident that he’ll be able to avoid the disabled list, but the injury is clearly still bothering him. Matt Joyce will play left field Wednesday night against the Yankees with Ben Zobrist covering right. Will Rhymes is starting at second base and Sean Rodriguez is at third.

Evan Longoria is expected to miss 6-8 weeks with a partial tear of his left hamstring, so Rays manager Joe Maddon will use a mix-and-match approach at third base. Rhymes, Elliot Johnson, Sean Rodriguez and Jeff Keppinger all figure to draw starts. It’s a situation to avoid for fantasy owners.

Rhymes will function as infield depth for Tampa Bay while Evan Longoria recovers from his torn left hamstring.

Rhymes, 28, batted just .235/.323/.271 with three extra-base hits in 99 plate appearances this year for Detroit. He’s now a free agent and can sign with any team.

The deal includes a spring training invite. Rhymes, who turns 29 in April, was non-tendered by the Tigers in December after batting just .235/.323/.271 with three doubles and a .594 OPS over 99 plate appearances with the big club last season. He has some speed and good plate discipline, so the Rays could have some use for him.

He was sent down to make room for Matt Joyce’s return from the disabled list. Rhymes is hitting .233 with one homer and a .598 OPS in 45 games with the Rays this season.

No word yet on the corresponding roster move. Rhymes, 29, is hitting .233/.306/.292 with one home run, eight RBI and a .598 OPS in 134 plate appearances with the Rays this season.

He’s taking the roster spot of Josh Lueke, who was sent down following Wednesday’s game. Rhymes will serve as a utility infielder.

He was sent down in order to make room for Evan Longoria, who will be activated from the disabled list Tuesday. Rhymes is hitting .228/.299/./285 in 137 plate appearances with the Rays this season and should get another call-up to the big leagues before long.