Rays and INF Sean Rodriguez avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1 million contract.

Rodriguez was arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter. The 27-year-old batted just .213/.281/.326 with six homers and a .607 OPS this past season and will likely be used in a part-time role in 2013.

Sean Rodriguez (hand) will start at third base Tuesday night against the Red Sox.

This will be his first start since being activated from the disabled list over the weekend. He's hitting ninth against left-hander Felix Doubront.

Sean Rodriguez (hand) has been cleared to begin hitting.

Rodriguez fractured his right hand last month when he punched a locker in frustration following a dispute with a teammate at Triple-A Durham, but he hit soft toss Monday and should progress to batting practice on Tuesday. He was activated from the DL over the weekend, so he could be used as a pinch-runner right now, but he should be ready for full baseball activities soon.

Rays activated INF Sean Rodriguez from the 15-day disabled list.

Rodriguez reportedly punched a locker when he was demoted to Triple-A Durham last month, and still isn't completely recovered from the injury. The Rays will use him primarily as a defensive replacement down the stretch, and he doesn't figure to have a prominent role.

Sean Rodriguez (hand) will play catch Tuesday evening without a splint and could be activated Saturday.

Rodriguez has been on the disabled list since the end of August with a fractured bone in his right hand that he suffered during an altercation with a teammate at Triple-A Durham. He'll serve as a pinch-runner and defensive sub over the final couple weeks of the regular season.

Sean Rodriguez will not need surgery to repair the fracture in his right hand.

Rodriguez fractured a bone in his right hand Sunday after punching a locker during an altercation with a teammate at Triple-A Durham. He's expected to return in about three weeks, which means he should be around for the final couple weeks of the regular season.

Sean Rodriguez fractured a bone in his right hand Sunday after punching a locker during an altercation with a teammate at Triple-A Durham.

"It was stupid and immature," said Rodriguez, who was optioned to Triple-A Durham last week. The Rays were expected to call him back up when rosters expand on Saturday, but that won't happen now.

Rays optioned INF Sean Rodriguez to Triple-A Durham.

He was sent down to make room for Luke Scott's return from the disabled list. It's not an unexpected move, as Rodriguez has options remaining and will return from the minors when rosters expand in September. The 27-year-old infielder is batting just .215/.278/.330 with six homers, 32 RBI and a .608 OPS in 335 plate appearances this season.

Sean Rodriguez could be optioned to Triple-A when Luke Scott (oblique) returns from the disabled list next week.

Rodriguez's .590 OPS this season is the fifth-worst in baseball among those that have accumulated at least 300 plate appearances. The Rays are working in Ben Zobrist at shortstop -- a position he hadn't played since 2009 -- which could help make Rodriguez expendable.

Sean Rodriguez finished 3-for-4 with a two-run homer in Tuesday's 7-4 defeat of the Yankees.

Rodriguez hit his two-run shot in the fourth inning, a double in the sixth inning and a single in the eighth inning. He also stole a base. The 27-year-old infielder is now batting .221/.272/.351 with six dingers, 24 RBI and four steals in 77 games.

Sean Rodriguez deep-sixed the Red Sox in Sunday's 4-3 win in Boston, taking Alfredo Aceves deep for what would be prove to be the game-winning, two-run homer in the ninth.

Rodriguez's stunning blast came with one out. His 27th home run in 366 career games was his fifth of the season. Now batting .241/.291/.379 to go along with two steals and 16 RBI, Rodriguez is a middling option in AL-only leagues.

Sean Rodriguez returned to action on Monday May 14.

Sean Rodriguez is not in Sunday's lineup due to a sore left pectoral.

Rodriguez developed the soreness after making a couple dives in Saturday's game. He's available off the bench Sunday and should return in a day or two.

Sean Rodriguez had a nice night in the Rays loss to the Yankees on Thursday, going 2-for-3 with a run scored and pair of RBI.

Rodriguez has been receiving regular playing time at third base recently with the injury to Evan Longoria, though he is struggling offensively on the season. The two-hit effort on Thursday raises his average to .228 and gives him nine RBI on the season. While receiving regular playing time, his power/speed combination can be an asset with his middle infield eligibility.

Filling in at third base for the injured Evan Longoria, Sean Rodriguez helped to pick up the offensive slack by smacking a two-run homer in the Rays 5-4 win over the Mariners on Wednesday.

He finished the game 1-for-3 with the pair of RBI. Rodriguez has been used all over the infield this season, but will likely see most of the time at third base in Longoria's absence with Elliott Johnson and Will Rhymes filling in the middle infield. If looking for an injury replacement for Longoria, Mat Gamel or Kevin Youkilis, Rodriguez provides a decent combination of power and speed and is receiving everyday at-bats. He's a far better option than trotting out someone like Brandon Inge would be.

Rays manager Joe Maddon said Wednesday that Sean Rodriguez will get most of the playing time at shortstop.

Reid Brignac and Elliot Johnson will also get playing time, likely against right-handers, but Maddon said it will not be a strict platoon. Rodriguez, who turns 27 in April, batted .223/.323/.357 with eight homers, 36 RBI, 11 stolen bases and a .679 OPS last season. He's a bit of a batting average risk, but should be useful in AL-only and even some deeper mixed leagues.

Sean Rodriguez went 2-for-3 and hit his first spring homer Monday against the Twins.

Rodriguez is five for his last 11, raising his average from .194 to .250. He'll probably be in the lineup most of the time initially, as Ben Zobrist is going to see most of his starts in the outfield until B.J. Upton returns. Once Upton is back and Zobrist returns to second base, the Rays will have to decide whether Rodriguez or Reid Brignac should get the majority of the playing time at shortstop.

Sean Rodriguez struck out all three times he was up in Tuesday's loss to the Red Sox.

Fortunately for Rodriguez, Reid Brignac has been injured and unable to take advantage of the opportunity to compete for the shortstop job. Rodriguez is batting .189 with just one extra-base hit in 31 at-bats, but that still might be good enough to get him the Opening Day start.

Sean Rodriguez (finger) took batting practice Monday and hopes to return to the Rays' lineup Tuesday.

Rodriguez has been slowed in camp by a left index finger sprain. But he hit balls off a tee this weekend and was cleared Monday morning to resume facing live hitters. The 26-year-old infielder should be back near 100 percent health for the start of the regular season.

Sean Rodriguez (finger) has reported improved flexibility and plans to hit balls off a tee Sunday.

Rodriguez, who has a sprained left index finger, hopes to return to game action in a day or two if Sunday's session goes well. The Rays, though, think it will probably take him a couple days longer than that. Either way, he should have no trouble getting ready well before Opening Day.