Longoria happy to be back in Rays' lineup

Evan Longoria spent only four games out of the starting lineup after leaving last Tuesday's game with tightness in his left hamstring, but it obviously felt much longer to the third baseman.

He already knew he was back in the lineup Monday after telling Manager Joe Maddon following an afternoon workout that he was ready to play, but when he saw his name printed on the lineup sheet in the clubhouse, he pounded it with his hand and yelled "Let's go!"

Maddon happily inserted Longoria back in his usual No. 3 spot in the order and looked forward to his impact on the rest of the lineup.

"It just makes a huge difference," Maddon said. "I know he's eager to get back out there; it's difficult for him to sit around, but it's very difficult to watch him sit around also."

Longoria didn't snap back into the form he had been enjoying, going 0-for-3 with a walk and striking out three times, but Maddon chalked that up to his timing being off because of his absence.

Injury updates

Even with Longoria back, the Rays still have a long list of injured regulars to contend with, and it doesn't sound as if any of the rest will be back before Friday.

Pat Burrell (neck strain) opened a rehab assignment with Montgomery on Monday (0-for-5, three strikeouts) and will play for the Biscuits again tonight. He would be on track for activation Friday if all goes well this week, Maddon said.

Jason Bartlett (left ankle sprain) is eligible to come off the DL on Wednesday but won't be ready by then. Maddon said he isn't concerned about the shortstop's progress and indicated Bartlett likely will get a game or two in the minors before returning, but he didn't know when that might occur.

Scott Kazmir (right quad strain) continues to throw and the Rays hope to have a rehab schedule set for him by the end of the week. Maddon previously said he expects Kazmir to make at least one start in the minors and possibly more.

Draft night

The Rays expect to make their first pick in this year's amateur draft sometime after 8 tonight, and as of early Monday evening they still had a pool of more than a dozen candidates in mind for the 30th overall selection.

Scouting director R.J. Harrison said the Rays had narrowed their list to a group of about 15 players, and they figure about half of them will get picked before their turn comes around. So they have essentially rated them in order of preference and will see who's there when they're on the clock.

MLB.com's latest mock draft posted Monday had the Rays taking Arizona high school C Tommy Joseph, a popular projection, and ESPN.com gave them Texas high school OF Everett Williams.

Old home week

The 31 years Maddon spent in the Angels' organization prior to coming to Tampa Bay ensure any encounter with his old club will be special, but the manager always seems to have mixed emotions. Looking ahead to the series that begins tonight, Maddon termed it "difficult" in some regards because of the shared philosophies that will clash.

"We know each other a little bit," Maddon said. "I know the style of ball they want to play; they know the style of ball we want to play, so it is like looking in the mirror a little bit."

Odds and ends

Willy Aybar was a late scratch from Monday's lineup after he came down with a migraine, but he should be available tonight. ... Last year's top draft pick, Tim Beckham, went 4-for-4 Sunday for Bowling Green to raise his average to .300 and leads the Hot Rods with 31 RBIs. He was selected for the South Atlantic League All-Star Game on Monday along with RHP Chris Andujar. ... The American Forces Network will televise tonight's Rays-Angels game to military bases and ships around the world.