Rays manager Kevin Cash confirmed Wednesday starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi will return to the rotation Saturday against the Astros. Odorizzi, who has been on the disabled list since June 9 with a left oblique strain, threw a bullpen session Wednesday, which went well, per Cash.
"Huge [lift getting him back]," Cash said, per MLB.com. "Just kind of like the [James] Loney lift, getting these guys back. Guys that we penciled in at the start of spring. Odo has already done a lot this season. But I think if you look what him and [Chris Archer] kind of combined to do. Veteran pitchers in our pitching staff, it allows those extra days and extra innings for our relievers not be used."