Greetings from the Trop, where the Rays are taking batting practice in preparation for a three-game set against the floundering Yankees that opens what still could be a defining stretch of their season.

They’ll have an extra few bodies on hand now that rosters have expanded, with Troy Percival activated from the DL and John Jaso and Fernando Perez joining the team from Durham. Jaso will wear 28 and Perez 38, with the outfielder figuring to get more playing time as a defensive replacement and pinch-runner.

Percival will move back into the closer’s role, but Maddon said it remains to be seen whether the frequency with which Percival is used will change. Dan Wheeler certainly has proven himself an adequate backup there.

One more note before the lineups: Fox has picked up the Sept. 20 Rays-Twins game, which means the start time will move up to 3:55 p.m. It will be the Rays’ third Fox appearance since Aug. 23 after they got only two showings on the network in their first 10 seasons.

The lineups:

Yankees
Damon CF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Giambi 1B
Nady LF
Matsui DH
Cano 2B
Molina C
Mussina P

Rays
Iwamura 2B
Upton CF
Pena 1B
Floyd DH
Aybar 3B
Hinske LF
Bartlett SS
Gross RF
Riggans C
Garza P