It is never a good time to lose a big bat, but navigating a key injury weeks before the MLB trade deadline can have far-reaching consequences for a team. While Brandon Lowe has been dealing with plantar fasciitis, the Tampa Bay Rays (54-53) have slid down the American League Wild Card standings. They are currently two and a half games behind the Boston Red Sox for the final playoff slot, forcing an already frugal franchise to weigh its options before July 31. The best reinforcements fans can hope for may come in the form of a returning slugger.

Lowe is due to come off the 10-day injured list ahead of Wednesday's game versus the New York Yankees, per Rays reporter Ryan Bass. The two-time All-Star has focused on regaining regular motion in his foot, and management clearly believes he is ready to rejoin the club. Desperate Tampa Bay will surely be happy to see him back in the batter's box.

The Rays are 6-15 and average almost two runs less per game when Lowe is not in the starting lineup, per Bass' report for FanDuel Sports Network. If the organization is not going to make a splash at Thursday's trade deadline, then it must trust its existing core members to lift the squad during the final two months of the season. Lowe may just be Tampa's X-factor.

Brandon Lowe has been one of Rays' most valuable hitters

The 31-year-old is often considered a one-dimensional offensive contributor, producing big power numbers but posting a low batting average. He is finding a potent balance in 2025, however. Lowe is hitting .269 with 19 long balls, 50 RBIs, a .480 slugging percentage and .800 OPS in 86 games. Injuries consistently plague him — played 140-plus games in a campaign only once since debuting in 2018 — but the Rays will need him to stay healthy if they are going to jump back into playoff position.

They dropped two out of three to the lowly Chicago White Sox and were swept by the Cincinnati Reds before earning a much-needed win versus the Yankees on Monday. Although one man cannot cure all, he could help stop the bleeding. Brandon Lowe will try to give president of baseball operations Erik Neander extra incentive to buy at the trade deadline when he returns on Wednesday night.

More Tampa Bay Rays News
New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe (11) scores a run after Tampa Bay Rays catcher Nick Fortes (40) threw the ball away when Volpe stole third base during the fourth inning at Yankee Stadium.
Yankees, Anthony Volpe roller coaster continues with 452-foot home runBrayden Haena ·
Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Pete Fairbanks (29) reacts after striking out the side to close the ninth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium.
Pete Fairbanks draws interest from NL powerhouseZachary Draves ·
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Kyle Gibson (44) pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays during the second inning at Charlotte Sports Park.
Rays’ Kyle Gibson breaks silence on 2025 retirementJosh Davis ·
Miami Marlins catcher Nick Fortes (4) throws to first base to retire San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado (not pictured) during the ninth inning at loanDepot Park.
Rays acquiring Marlins catcher after Danny Jansen tradeJordan Llanes ·
Tampa Bay Rays catcher Danny Jansen (19) runs the bases after hitting a home runagainst the Baltimore Orioles in the fourth inning at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Brewers trading for catcher from RaysScotty White ·
Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Yandy Diaz (2) reacts after scoring a run against the Baltimore Orioles in the seventh inning at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
MLB rumors: Red Sox urged to trade for ‘absolutely perfect fit’ from RaysOwen Crisafulli ·