As expected, the Rays recalled IF/OF Ben Zobrist following Durham’s game tonight. He takes the roster spot of Justin Ruggiano, who was optioned back to Durham after Sunday’s game.

Zobrist will serve as insurance for both of the Rays’ regular middle infielders, with Aki Iwamura due to serve a suspension that currently stands at three games, pending appeal sometime within the next week and Jason Bartlett expected to miss at least a game or two when his wife gives birth to their first child.

Zobrist went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts tonight in only his third appearance for the Bulls since being activated from the disabled list. He suffered a mild shoulder strain in his first game with Durham on June 2 after being optioned down by the Rays and missed nearly three weeks.

The 27-year-old went 4-for-15 (.267) in seven games for the Rays earlier this year. He opened the season on the disabled list after breaking his left thumb sliding into a base during spring training.