"Considering C Jose Lobaton's first stint in the big leagues this season lasted just four at-bats and he had to wait more than a month and a half to come back, he's eager to make up for lost time.

Lobaton, who suffered a left knee sprain during his first start July 18 and landed on the disabled list, was activated Friday and started, going 1-for-3, including a double in his first at-bat. And it appears Lobaton, 26, will play often in the final month, with manager Joe Maddon saying the Rays want to get an extended look at him with eyes toward next year.

"The good thing right now is I'm back and I'm ready and I'm excited," Lobaton said. "I want to play; I want to show everybody that I'm ready now."

Maddon said Lobaton "earned" his mid-July promotion due to his body of work in Triple A (.293, eight homers, 31 RBI and strong defense). And Lobaton admitted it was tough to sit and wait to heal, with fellow Venezuelan rookie C Robinson Chirinos having early success in replacing him (including a walkoff hit).

"I was like, ' … maybe that was my chance to do that,' " Lobaton said. "But it wasn't me, it was him, and I was happy for him. I talked to him a little bit and said, 'Just try to enjoy this, enjoy your moment.' "

There's a chance Lobaton and Chirinos could be with the Rays next season. But until then, Lobaton, who went 8-for-17 in five rehab games for Class A Charlotte, wants to put his best foot forward."