Welcome back: Longoria returns to Rays' lineup

Aug 7, 2012 - 11:52 PM St. Petersburg, FL (Sports Network) - Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria was activated from the disabled list before Tuesday's series- opener against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Longoria, 26, sustained a partially-torn left hamstring on April 30. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list the following day and transferred to the 60-day DL on July 24.

Prior to the injury, the three-time All-Star had started 23 games for the Rays and hit .329 with four home runs and 19 RBI.

The Rays were 15-8 with Longoria in the lineup, but are just 41-44 since he was sidelined. They were on a 21-inning scoreless streak entering Tuesday's game, and Longoria was immediately placed in the clean-up spot to add some pop to the lineup.

The third and fourth hitters in the Tampa lineup posted a .227 batting average with only 12 home runs during his absence.

To make room for Longoria on the active roster, infielder Will Rhymes was optioned to Triple-A Durham and infielder Brooks Conrad was designated for assignment.