Taylor Walls Is Back From Injury and the Rays Are Betting on Him for Their Home Opener
The Tampa Bay Rays activated shortstop Taylor Walls from the 10-day injured list ahead of their home opener on Monday against the Chicago Cubs. In a corresponding move, fellow shortstop and top prospect Carson Williams was optioned to Triple-A Durham.
Walls Returns After Oblique Strain
Walls, 29, landed on the IL on March 19 after sustaining a right oblique strain in the batting cage. He's been sidelined for over two weeks, but the Rays needed him back in the lineup for the start of their home schedule. This is Walls' fifth season with Tampa Bay, and despite being a light hitter, he brings elite defense to the shortstop position, which is exactly what the Rays need to stabilize the infield.
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Carson Williams, the 22-year-old prospect, heads to Triple-A Durham after a brutal early season. Williams is batting .130 (3-for-23) with no homers, three RBIs and nine strikeouts through seven games this season. That's a tough way to start your shot at the big leagues, and getting consistent at-bats in Durham will be crucial for his development.
Walls' Track Record
Last season, Walls posted a .220 average with four homers, 38 RBIs and 14 steals in 101 games. He's not going to blow you away at the plate, but his defensive prowess is a real asset, and the Rays are counting on him to hold down shortstop as they open their home slate against the Cubs.
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