Wendle (face) started at third base and went 0-for-2 in Wednesday's Grapefruit League win over the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

The valued veteran was back in action two days after being hit by a pitch in the helmet during Monday's game against the Twins. Wednesday's inclusion in the starting lineup corroborates the optimism manager Kevin Cash had expressed regarding Wendle's condition Tuesday, and the 30-year-old should be available without restrictions moving forward.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said he expects Wendle (face) to play in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Wendle was fortunate to escape with little more than a bruise on his face after he was struck by a pitch in Monday's game against the Twins. Unless the contusion presents some unexpected discomfort when he wears a batting helmet, Wendle should remain on a normal schedule for the rest of the spring.

Wendle escaped with nothing worse than a facial contusion after getting hit in the head by a pitch Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Thankfully, the pitch struck Wendle's helmet, so he was able to avoid serious injury. He's not expected to undergo any further tests, so he should be able to get back into game action within the next few days.

Wendle left Monday's game against the Twins after getting hit in the head by a pitch from Lewis Thorpe, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's not yet clear whether the pitch struck Wendle's helmet or hit him directly in the face. He'll likely miss at least a few days but could miss more time if he winds up diagnosed with a concussion or another serious injury. Xavier Edwards replaced him as a pinch runner.

Wendle and the Rays avoided arbitration with a one-year, $2.25 million deal Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Wendle bounced back from a poor 2019 campaign with a strong season for the 2020 AL pennant winners, hitting .286/.342/.435 in 50 games. His four homers and eight steals would have translated to 10.8 homers and 21.6 steals over a full, 162-game season, both of which would have been career highs.

Wendle is not in the lineup for Game 4 of the World Series against the Dodgers on Saturday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Wendle will head to the bench with left-hander Julio Urias set to start for the Dodgers. Mike Brosseau will take over at third base in his absence.

Wendle went 2-for-4 with two RBI and one run in Tuesday's win during Game 3 of the ALCS against the Astros.

EDGE Analysis

Wendle had gone 0-for-9 with six strikeouts over the last four games, but he took part in the Rays' five-run rally during the sixth inning Tuesday to put the team within one win of advancing to the World Series. The 30-year-old has a .357 OBP with two RBI and one stolen base during these playoffs.

Wendle is out of the lineup Wednesday for Game 2 of the Rays' wild-card series with the Blue Jays, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Wendle ended the regular season in an everyday role at third base, but he may morph into more of a utility man during the postseason with Yandy Diaz (hamstring) back from the injured list. Though Wendle drew the start at the hot corner and went 0-for-2 with a walk and a run Tuesday in Tampa Bay's 3-1 win, he'll cede the position to Diaz in Game 2.

Wendle went 2-for-5 with a go-ahead two-run single and a run in a win over the Phillies on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Wendle snapped a 4-4 tie in the eighth inning with his timely single that plated Hunter Renfroe and Yoshi Tsutsugo, which ultimately proved to be the margin of victory for the Rays. The two-hit effort was Wendle's fourth in the last five contests, part of a torrid seven-game stretch during which he's hitting .480 with two doubles, two home runs, six RBI, two stolen bases, one walk and three runs across 27 plate appearances.

Wendle went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Wednesday's 8-5 win over the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

Wendle opened the scoring with a solo shot in the second inning off Mets starter Michael Wacha. The infielder now has four homers, eight stolen bases, 14 RBI and 22 runs scored in 48 contests.