Rays Could Welcome All-Star Back from Injury This Week

Jonathan Aranda May Return to Rays This Week

A Familiar Face

According to the Tampa Bay Times’ Marc Topkin, Rays first baseman Jonathan Aranda could be activated just before the sun sets on the regular season. He could be in uniform as the Rays close out the season against a pair of division rivals. It feels like Jonathan Aranda last played for the Rays years ago. It was barely two months ago.

Aranda suffered a fractured left wrist in the rain at Yankee Stadium on July 31 when he extended his arm to catch a ground ball in a collision with New York Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton. The gruesome injury occurred on an emotional day for the Rays, who were watching their season slip away as a handful of players were being traded during the game.

Aranda Proves He Belongs

Aranda, 27, was in the midst of a year for the ages, slashing .316/.394/.478 with 12 home runs, 54 RBI, and an .871 OPS in 103 games. The well-rounded production was worth nearly 3.0 WAR and landed Aranda his first All-Star appearance. Aranda’s 54.9% hard-hit rate was in the 97th percentile, while his 93.0 Average Exit Velo was nestled in the 94th percentile. Aranda hit the ball really hard, even though his strikeout and chase percentages left something to be desired.

His two-run home run against the Baltimore Orioles on June 28 traveled 467 feet and probably still hasn’t landed yet. Aranda also drew walks at a 9.8% clip this season, which is right in line with league averages. Not too shabby for a player with a background that is filled with episodes of perseverance and struggle. Just when he seemed to be taking off, an ill-timed injury would force him to take two steps backward. The Rays should be lucky to have a leader like this. On a larger scale, the infield composition isn’t looking too bad next season.

Aranda Has a Job Next Season

The Rays won’t make this any harder than it needs to be. Aranda will be the primary first baseman while Yandy Diaz continues bashing baseballs as a designated hitter. Aranda played a little DH this season, even if the lion’s share of his time was spent at first base. He won’t be arbitration-eligible until 2027 and a free agent until 2030.

That hasn’t stopped some fans from questioning why the team would bring Aranda back from injury. The fans wonder what the point is when the games mean nothing. Aranda is likely pushing to be activated so that he goes into the offseason with a mindset that he did everything to return. There is nothing wrong with attempting to face major league pitching whenever possible. Plus, going through a normal offseason is crucial for a player in getting ready for the marathon regular season. The Rays have questions about many of their young players, but Aranda is not in that same bracket. Whatever it takes to give him peace of mind for a team that is officially playing out the string.