Souza's struggles since his return from the DL have played a large part in his recent playing time reduction, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Kevin Cash has held the 27-year-old slugger out of the starting lineup for two of Tampa's last seven contests, and he's largely struggled in the games he's played during that span. Souza has one hit in his last 15 at-bats, and is hitting .197 with two extra-base hits in 17 games since his July 2 return from a hip injury. Personnel-related factors have also played a part in Souza's lack of participation, with the Rays outfield having recently received some reinforcements . "Obviously it's performance related," Cash said. "We're trying to find a balance. If you go back and look at our last eight games or so, it's kind of been a rotation in the outfield. KK (Kevin Kiermaier) is the one guy, we want to get him going because he missed a lot of the time. Corey Dickerson has come on strong here, and then (Oswaldo) Arcia, he is a guy that we want to see. Souza will continue to get back out there, in and out, just like a lot of the other guys."