Jose Lobaton has been has been sidelined since late November and is unlikely to return to his Venezuelan Winter League club due to weakness in his right shoulder. The good news is that the Rays have already examined Lobaton and are confident he'll be fine after getting some rest. The 27-year-old struggled with a .118/.231/.147 batting line in his brief time with the Rays this past season but boasted an impressive .307/.417/.505 line at Triple-A. He's expected to share the catching job with Jose Molina in 2012.

Jose Lobaton came into Saturday's game as part of a double-switch. Lobaton hadn't played since Tuesday after tweaking his left knee. He's available to start, but with the Rays gaining ground on the Red Sox, manager Joe Maddon might stick with John Jaso.

Rays manager Joe Maddon said Jose Lobaton (knee) is available to play. Lobaton, who tweaked his left knee Tuesday, caught a bullpen session Friday without any issues. "I want to play at 100 percent, not 90 percent," Lobaton said. "If they say I can play, I can play." Lobaton is slated to receive a lot of starts, down the stretch, though with the Rays trying to creep back into the playoff race, plans could change.

Rays manager Joe Maddon thinks Jose Lobaton (knee) could be ready to return by Friday. Lobaton is out of the lineup Wednesday after tweaking his left knee during Tuesday's game. If healthy, the 26-year-old backstop is expected to see significant playing time down the stretch.

Jose Lobaton will serve as the Rays' primary catcher down the stretch. The Rays want to see how Lobaton handles starting duties before potentially turning the gig over to him in 2012. The 26-year-old bated .307/.417/.505 with eight home runs in 60 games between Single-A and Triple-A this season.

Rays manager Joe Maddon wants to get an extended look at Jose Lobaton over the final month. Lobaton, who will turn 27 next month, isn't much of a prospect, but he's batted .307/.417/.505 with eight homers in the minors this season and the Rays want to see if he can potentially be a factor next season. "I want to see what we've got to make an evaluation there," Maddon said. "Because we're not going to find that out by sitting him on the bench."

Rays activated C Jose Lobaton from the 15-day disabled list. Lobaton has been out since mid-July with a ligament sprain in his left knee. He'll serve as the third catcher for the Rays over the final month.

Jose Lobaton (knee) is finally feeling better and could be cleared to resume playing in about a week. Lobaton has been out since mid-June with a ligament sprain in his left knee. He's no guarantee to join the Rays once healthy.

Jose Lobaton (knee) is able to run without any issues but has yet to catch a bullpen session. It's not clear when he'll do so, but it shouldn't be long. Depending on the status of John Jason (oblique), Lobaton may or may not join the Rays once he's healthy.

Rays placed C Jose Lobaton on the 15-day disabled with a ligament sprain in his left knee. A very tough break for a guy who was calling a shutout against the hard-hitting Red Sox. While the injury is not expected to be serious, fellow back-up John Jaso (oblique) is expected to return by early August, meaning Lobaton likely will finish another year in the minors.