Evan Longoria is set to start at third base on Tuesday night for the first time since injuring his hamstring on April 30, 2012. But while Longoria will be back in the field after two weeks of designated-hitter duty, Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon says he doesn't want the 26-year-old All-Star won't go full-tilt, or even full-time, just yet:
— Joe Smith (@TBTimesRays2) August 21, 2012
#Rays Maddon said Longoria won't be the typical Gold Glove-defender right away, may have to pace himself, and won't go 9 innings each game
Longoria : "I'm going to have to probably at least for now restrain from going hard after that ball in the six-hole and diving after it."
— Joe Smith (@TBTimesRays2) August 21, 2012
It's exciting for both the Rays and Rays fans that Longoria is back at third base, but as Maddon said, expectations should be tempered for the short term.
In the meantime, Rays fans should just be thrilled to have Longoria's MVP-caliber bat anchoring Tampa Bay's lineup once again.
For the latest on the Rays, head over to DRays Bay.
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