Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Ben Williamson returned from the injured list Friday after missing two weeks with a lower back strain. The 26-year-old infielder brings a .268 batting average and .349 on-base percentage to a lineup that needs offensive consistency. His last appearance came May 15, making this a timely return for the club.

Andrew Wantz rejoins the Rays after posting a 2-0 record with Durham, despite a 7.04 ERA across 18 appearances. The right-hander last pitched in the majors during 2024 with the Angels and provides bullpen depth. Meanwhile, Carson Williams heads back to Triple-A Durham where he's shown better production, hitting .238 with five homers in 32 games.

To make room, Tampa Bay designated Jon Heasley for assignment after one rough outing where he surrendered five runs in four innings. These moves suggest the Rays are prioritizing players with more consistent track records while managing their roster flexibility carefully.

Williamson's return stabilizes the infield as Tampa Bay pushes through a critical stretch in the season. His speed and ability to reach base should help an offense that has struggled to generate consistent run support.