ST. PETERSBURG — Delmon Young is back. Sort of.

The one-time future of the organization returned Thursday when he signed a minor league contract and reported to the Rays’ Double-A team in Montgomery, Ala.

If Young can prove in the next eight days or so that his swing is once again major league quality, then he could join the Rays for the September push for a playoff berth.

“Everything is in play,” Young said Thursday during a conference call. “Come down (to Montgomery) and if everything is going well, I’ll come back up. If not, I’m not. I’ll prepare myself the best I can to be ready in their eyes.”