Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Neil Walker was set to return from the disabled list on Tuesday night after his recovery from an appendectomy.
Walker missed the past two weeks while undergoing surgery. He decided against playing in a minor league rehab game on Monday, opting instead to hit against Pirates right-hander Gerrit Cole, who was throwing a simulated game.
Manager Clint Hurdle had the option to use Walker as a designated hitter in his first game back on Tuesday night but planned in insert him in the lineup at second base against the Tampa Bay Rays, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune Review.
“I don’t have any hesitation to play him in the field,” Hurdle said.
In 62 games this season, the 28-year-old Walker is batting .280 with 11 home runs and 35 RBIs. He last played in a game on June 8 against the Milwaukee Brewers.