The Tampa Bay Rays are currently the best team in the American League. Tampa Bay has a strong opportunity to make a deep postseason run in 2026, and the ball club received a crucial boost on Thursday. The Rays announced that infielder Taylor Walls has been reinstated from the 10-day injured list. Infielder Nick Madrigal was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Walls had been battling a right hip flexor strain. With the Rays focused on the upcoming postseason, Walls should be able to make an impact in the lineup.

Walls, 30, is the Rays' shortstop. He's hitting .218/.304/.292 across 117 games played this season. His numbers do not jump off the page, but Walls has been impactful while on the field. One area where he especially helps Tampa Bay is on the base paths. Walls ranks in the 87th percentile in baserunning run value, according to Baseball Savant.

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The good teams do the overlooked things well. Baserunning may not be the most attention-grabbing element of the game, but Walls' ability to make things happen is important.

With Junior Caminero leading the way, this Tampa Bay ball club is currently in a quality position. They already clinched a postseason spot and also hold a four-game lead over the New York Yankees for both the best record in the AL and first place in the American League East.

The Rays are set to play the Athletics at home on Thursday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 PM ET at Tropicana Field in Tampa Bay.