Healthy Josh Lowe Can Only Boost Tampa Bay Rays’ Struggling Lineup

As frustrating as it was for Josh Lowe to miss most of the first two months of the 2024 season due to a right oblique that would not stop barking, he learned how to deal with the rehab process as well how to better handle returning to the lineup. Unfortunately, it did not take long to apply those lessons in 2025 as yet another oblique injury forced his removal from the Rays’ Opening Day game against visiting Colorado. A six-week absence followed.

The left-handed hitting outfielder, who last year was first sidelined at the end of spring training and again in late May only two weeks after making his season debut, did not really get cranked up until early June. Frustrated from missing nearly two full months, Lowe made the mistake of attempting to make up for missed at-bats instead being where his feet were. In a sense, he entered the batter’s box battling himself as well as the opposing pitcher.

“Last year, I felt like when I came back that I had to immediately make an impact and do more to make up for the missed time,” he said Monday afternoon before his first home game since the opener. “Whereas now, I am going to take it one day at a time and do what I can in focusing on helping the team win today instead of making up for lost time.”

Lowe hit .241 with 10 homers, 34 RBI and a .693 OPS in 106 games last season. He struck out 123 times in 353 at-bats, only one less time than 2023 when he had 113 more ABs. That 2023 campaign was a memorable first full season as he hit .292 with 20 homers, 83 RBI and 32 stolen bases (36 attempts) in 135 games.

The Rays would love nothing more than to have the 27-year-old produce much like he did two years ago. It has been a case of so far, so good since he returned to the lineup in Toronto last Thursday when he had an immediate impact in collecting three hits, including a home run, and scored three times while serving as the DH in an 8-3 win. Through Monday evening’s game against visiting Houston, Lowe was 5-for-18 in five games since returning.

“My timing feels pretty good, all things considered,” said Lowe, whose mother’s courageous battle with brain cancer has been well documented. “Swings feel pretty good and I am seeing the ball well. Doing what I can now to help the team win.”

Nobody knows better than manager Kevin Cash how important it is to have a healthy Lowe in the lineup.

“Really encouraged by him and his first game back was a big highlight,” said the Rays’ skipper. “We need Josh to be good, to be healthy and it looks like he has shown that in the quality of his at-bats.”

Jake Mangum, who was called up from Triple-A Durham when Lowe was sidelined, Kameron Misner and Chandler Simpson have been household names in Tampa Bay’s outfield rotation so far this season. Mangum, out with a groin strain since April 24, and Simpson made their MLB debuts earlier this season. Misner had a cameo (15 ABs) last August and made the team out of spring training. The trio appreciates that Lowe has made himself available to help in whatever way.

“Open ears, open mind,” said Simpson. “Been giving me hints, different tricks of the trade since I have been up here. He has been great giving me advice and talking to all the young guys about how to go about things everyday as a big leaguer.”

Having Lowe back in the lineup should help a team that was hitting a middle-of-the pack .242 in the American League and with 40 homers, a total that was near the bottom. The Rays have also struggled greatly at Steinbrenner Field (11-18) and entered play Tuesday 21-26 overall, though those who occupy the home clubhouse have an unwavering belief that sunnier days are on the way as the heat of summer beckons.

“The effort is great, everyone cares,” said Lowe, two years younger than brother Nate, a former member of the Rays currently with the Nationals. “There is not one player in the clubhouse that can tell you we are happy with our record. This is a winning organization and we are going to right the ship and get back going in the right direction. We are not going to be happy until that starts to happen. We are going to put our heads down and get to work.”