The pre-game news prior to tonight's matchup with the Rays and Angels is that DH Cliff Floyd, coming off knee surgery just four weeks ago, could return as early as Sunday.

Manager Joe Maddon was very pleased with Floyd's batting practice session Friday at the Trop, but wanted to chat with Floyd and the team's medical staff before inserting him back in. As for Floyd, chomping at the bit after a DL stint and a few appearances at extended spring, he feels he's "ready" to go.

"I'm in a rush," Floyd said. "I don't know if they're in a rush. I want to get back. It's been four weeks today. I'm just anxious to get back with my boys and sit on the bench and be part of the team. I want to feel like I'm contributing in some way, whether it's good or bad. I just want to contribute. I want to be a big part of this."

The Rays returned pretty pleased with their lengthy road trip, winning two of the three series in a nine-game swing, including what they hope is a momentum-building 13-inning win Thursday over Toronto.

Tampa Bay takes on an Angels team that's one of the AL's best, having won six of nine. Should be a great pitching matchup, with James Shields taking on Jon Garland.

Rays

Rays:
Iwamura, 2B
Crawford, LF
Upton, CF
Pena, 1B
Longoria, 3B
Hinske, DH
Navarro, C
Gross, RF
Bartlett, SS

Shields, P

ANGELS
Matthews, RF
Aybar, SS
Guerrero, DH
Anderson, LF
Hunter, CF
Kotchman, 1B
Napoli, C
Wood, 3B
Rodriguez, 2B

Garland, P

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com