Rays reinstate Josh Lowe, add RHP Edwin Uceta

2B Curtis Mead, LHP Jacob Lopez options; Niko Goodrum DFA

The Tampa Bay Rays are riding a three-game hot streak in their City Connect jerseys, and will look to keep the good times rolling not only by continuing to wear the jersey’s tonight, but also with five roster moves to keep the team fresh

• OF Josh Lowe reinstated from injured list
• RHP Edwin Uceta added to 40-man roster, promoted
• 2B Curtis Mead optioned
• LHP Jacob Lopez optioned
• UTIL Niko Goodrum designated for assignment

Lowe’s emergence as a key piece of the Rays last season with a 131 wRC+ has been a missing component to this year’s offense. Even though OF Richie Palacios has done well in his stead as one of the few bright spots in April, the opportunity to bring Lowe back into the fold is a welcomed one for the Rays.

Palacios, who has played at 2B the last two games, seems likely to stay there as the Rays bring Josh Lowe back into the mix. The decision to option INF Mead instead of moving on from the ice cold bat of DH/OF Harold Ramirez is an interesting one, but preserves the headcount on the roster, and likely speaks to the Rays not wanting to give up on him yet.

Instead the Rays move on from Goodrum, who was optioned earlier this week. He only appeared in 9 games for the Rays this season, picking up just 18 plate appearances on the season.

On the pitching side, the Rays optioned Lopez — who pitched a solid 1.1 innings yesterday, but was rocked for 5 runs over 3.0 IP on April 30 — to bring in fresh arm Edwin Uceta.

Uceta is interesting in that he has historically had a compelling change up but an underwhelming two-seam fastball. If he can work the sinker high and the changeup low or away, he should be fine, but has a curveball available when he wants to work gloveside. The Rays might have also cooked something up in the pitching lab, you never know.