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Rays activate Austin Meadows, option Trevor Richards

Meadows had been working out in Port Charlotte after missing three weeks due to a case of coronavirus.
 
The Rays activated outfielder Austin Meadows, their top hitter and team co-MVP in 2019, from the injured list.
The Rays activated outfielder Austin Meadows, their top hitter and team co-MVP in 2019, from the injured list. [ WILL VRAGOVIC | Tampa Bay Rays ]
Published Aug. 4, 2020

ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays made a move Tuesday morning that should boost their inconsistent offense, activating outfielder Austin Meadows — their top hitter and team co-MVP in 2019 — from the injured list.

Meadows had been working out in Port Charlotte for the past week or so after missing three weeks due to a case of COVID-19.

Meadows participated in only the July 3 opening workout of Spring 2.0 before receiving the test results. He had taken part in the six weeks of informal workouts at Tropicana Field before that.

Related: The many ways 2020 already has been different for the Rays

Meadows told the Tampa Bay Times he felt fatigued initially but then experienced only mild cold-like symptoms. He resumed workouts in Port Charlotte on July 25. Manager Kevin Cash said after Sunday’s game the Rays expected to activate Meadows sometime this week, as he had been participating in simulated games and doing other work, including baserunning.

Meadows, a lefty swinger, is likely to move into the top spot in the order against right-handers, such as Boston’s Nathan Eovaldi, whom the Rays face tonight.

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In his first full season in the majors, Meadows hit .291 last season with 33 homers, 89 RBIs and a .922 OPS. He and Charlie Morton were voted team co-MVPs.

To make room for Meadows on the active roster, pitcher Trevor Richards was optioned to the alternate training site in Port Charlotte. Richards pitched in two games, allowing six runs and 10 hits over 5-1/3 innings.

The Rays have more moves coming this week, as all major-league rosters are to set to be reduced from 30 to 28 on Thursday. There was some chatter that the players union may seek to have the 30-man roster period extended.