Even though the Tampa Bay Rays are about to compete for their first World Series title, they still took time to give a huge assist to Baker Mayfield's return for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Mayfield will be back on the field this week in the Bucs' must-win game against the Carolina Panthers after missing the last three games with a dislocated thumb on his throwing hand.

The biggest issue for Mayfield as he returns from the injury is how he will be able to grip the ball, both in his throwing motion and in receiving the snap from under center. 

In order to protect his thumb, Mayfield needed a custom glove made specifically for him. According to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, the Bucs' franchise QB received the glove from an unlikely source.

The Tampa Bay Rays, specifically clubhouse attendant Nick Bond, who modified a wide receiver glove by removing the thumb portion and adding an insert specifically to protect Mayfield's injured thumb.

Rays' equipment manager Tyler Wall spoke about what Bond was able to do to help Mayfield get back on the field.

“I said our guy can do anything. They worked together and kind of Frankensteined a glove together working with their trainers, Baker and Nick Bond. (It’s) not hard enough to restrict the thumb but enough for protection. So he built a pocket around the thumb and inserted it. It worked pretty good.”

Mayfield is comfortable with the glove, saying he feels no difference from any other type of glove he has worn in the past.

“(It’s) not restricting because it’s on the backside. ... For me, just getting used to it. I don’t feel the difference. It’s just like me wearing a glove,” Mayfield said.

Stroud reveals that Bond made two different gloves. One uses hard plastic, while the other is more like a soft cast.

Bucs Need Mayfield

If the Bucs have any chance of keeping their season alive, they need Mayfield to lead them to a victory over the division-leading Panthers. Tampa is in last place at 1-5, already 2.5 games behind Carolina.

The three games Mayfield missed were the first of his three-plus season as Tampa's quarterback. Like most of the offense, Mayfield has struggled this season, which began with high expectations for the Bucs.

However, the Bucs are greatly benefiting from playing in the weak NFC South. While the Panthers are 3-2, the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints are both 2-4. With upcoming games against Carolina and Atlanta, the Bucs have a chance to get back into the division race if they can win both.

If not, Tampa may wind up as active sellers at the NFL trade deadline, which is less than three weeks away. The Bucs have several veterans who could be on the move if the team fails to resuscitate its season.

Final Thoughts

It is very cool of the Rays to work so hard to help the Bucs, who need help from anywhere they can get it.

Hopefully, the Rays can bring another championship to Tampa, while also helping the Bucs save their season.