Rays' Steven Souza will begin rehab assignment Friday

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Steven Souza (hip) will begin a minor league rehab assignment with High-A Charlotte on Friday.

What It Means:

Souza faced teammates Alex Cobb and Chase Whitley during a live batting practice session on Thursday, and he hit a home run off of each pitcher. Souza should require just a few games in the minors before being ready to return to the Rays, which could happen at the beginning of next week. Tampa Bay could use his .326 wOBA, as they have a team .317 wOBA this season, which ranks 18th.

Souza is slashing .255/.315/.443 with 10 home runs and three stolen bases in 232 plate appearances this season. Our models project him to struggle over the remaining course of the year, forecasting him to hit .218/.301/.388 with five home runs, three steals and a .297 wOBA.