Rays expected to activate SS Wander Franco from IL on Sunday

The Tampa Bay Rays are expected to shortstop Wander Franco ahead of Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. 

Franco, 21, has been on the injured list since May 31 with a right quadriceps strain. 

The Rays hope Franco's return can give them a boost as they battle in the congested AL East. The New York Yankees currently lead the division (52-20), followed by the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays and Rays battling for second. 

"He's going to complement any lineup," Rays manager Kevin Cash said via the Tampa Bay Times. "I'm excited to see Wander when he gets back to be healthy. There was quite a handful of games, maybe a month's worth of games, he just wasn't himself, he was trying to battle through an injury. He feels like he's in a good spot." 

Signed as an amateur free agent by the Rays in 2017, Franco made his major league debut in 2021, playing in 70 games for Tampa Bay. 

This season, Franco is batting .281/.305/.421 with four home runs and 19 RBIs in 45 games.