Rays manager Joe Maddon said Monday the plantar fasciitis in third baseman Evan Longoria's right foot has improved enough for him to play third base on the turf at Tropicana Field, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
Longoria was the team's DH for four games from June 13-16 on the team's last homestand because of the injury. He returned to the field for a home game Monday against the Blue Jays. Longoria had played the field in every game of the team's road trip from June 18-23.
"I think he's mellowing a little bit and understanding it's good for him to be able to do that," Maddon said. "I think there was a time that he just did not want to DH, period. A lot of young players don't want to DH because they're baseball players and belong on the field. However, when you play on this stuff here it's a different world, and even if you're chronologically young, this can totally beat down your body and make it old fast."