Simpson (thumb) is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Red Sox, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
The Rays will hold Simpson out of the starting nine for a third straight game while he manages a sore left thumb, but as was the case in the prior two contests, he's expected to remain available off the bench. Tampa Bay called up Austin Slater from Triple-A Durham on Monday and will have him cover Simpson's usual spot in left field in the series opener versus Boston.