/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/12460717/20120510_ter_sv7_178.0.jpg)
The Tampa Bay Rays are expected to activate designated hitter Luke Scott from the disabled list on Tuesday and designate Shelley Duncan for assignment, reports Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.
More Rays: The Problem With Assumptions
Scott has been out since late March with a strained right calf, but has played five rehab games at Class A over the last week and appears ready to go. Re-signed by the Rays to a one-year, $2.75 million deal after a disappointing and injury-plagued 2012 season, Scott is no doubt champing at the bit to prove his worth in his second chance with Tampa Bay.
The Rays are likely just as excited at the prospect of having Scott in the lineup, even with his 2012 struggles. The club has received abysmal production out of the DH spot through their first 25 games, with Duncan, Kelly Johnson, et al. batting just .125/.260/.250 with three home runs in 95 plate appearances.
The 34-year-old Scott is a .260/.341/.487 hitter in his eight years of big-league ball, so anything that comes near his career norms will be a huge offense upgrade for the Rays.
Duncan, 33, is out of options so the club has to expose him to the waiver wire if they want to keep him in the organization. Given his terrible start, he may very well make it through the process unclaimed.