Pearce close to returning to Rays’ lineup

MINNEAPOLIS — All of the injured Rays are making progress, beginning with Steve Pearce, who is still nursing tendinitis in his right elbow.

On Thursday night, Pearce came off the bench as a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning and came through with a pinch-hit single. However, the Rays are still hoping to keep Pearce off the field as much as possible for the time being to give his elbow as much time as possible to heal. Pearce said Friday that he is feeling much better.

Initially, Pearce might be used as the designated hitter to get his bat back into the lineup.

“I think he is getting closer,” Rays manager Kevin …

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