Tampa Bay Rays Roster
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Tampa Bay Rays first baseman prospect Xavier Isaac stayed hot for High-A Bowling Green on Wednesday, going 4-for-6 with two doubles, three RBI, and a run scored. The game raised his season slashline to .280/.366/.523 with six home runs, 32 RBI, 24 runs scored, and five stolen bases in 29 games. The 20-year-old is MLB's 47th-ranked prospect (No. 3 for Tampa) and should see a promotion to Double-A before long, although he's at least a year or more away from making an impact at the major league level. With his hot hitting and 65-grade power, he should remain on the radar in dynasty leagues.
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Jeffrey Springs (elbow) threw a two-inning live batting practice session on Wednesday and will next pitch in a Rookie-level Florida Complex League game on Monday. It'll be big step forward in Springs' recovery from last April's Tommy John surgery when the hurler returns to game action on Monday, and considering his rehab assignment is on the verge of beginning, there's a chance he'll be built back up and ready to rejoin Tampa Bay's injury-depleted rotation before the end of June. Over his last three seasons (196 innings), the 31-year-old left-hander owns an outstanding 2.53 ERA (3.14 FIP), 1.03 WHIP, and 231:49 K:BB and can be stashed in deep competitive leagues. Veteran right-hander Zack Littell is functioning as a starter for the Rays for the time being, and he's worthy of streaming consideration when facing a favorable matchup.
Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said that second baseman Brandon Lowe's (oblique) visit with a specialist on Tuesday brought "good news," as the infielder's imaging showed he's healing and heading in the right direction. It's just an issue of pain tolerance as Lowe recuperates from a strained right oblique, but he'll return to St. Petersburg for what the Rays hope to be a short stay. Lowe will then resume swinging and return to minor-league rehab games, and the 29-year-old righty masher still appears to be on track to return to Tampa Bay sometime in late May if all goes well. Before going down, Lowe went 5-for-27 with one home run and four RBI in eight games this year and is only a modest fantasy stash. In his absence, Amed Rosario and Richie Palacios have formed a platoon for at-bats at second base.
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Aaron Civale tossed a no-decision in Tuesday's loss versus the Boston Red Sox. Civale went five innings and allowed five hits, three runs, zero walks and struck out six on the evening. Civale has been off to a very rocky start this season, but it was the first time since April 16 that he was able to get to through a minimum of five innings. The right-hander drew a lot of hype heading into this season, but he let managers down with a 2-3 record to go along with an ugly 5.83 ERA over his first nine starts. At this point, the 28-year-old is best served as a streamer. He will look to keep improving with his next matchup set to come against the division rival Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday.
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Josh Lowe went 2-for-4 with a walk in Tuesday's extra innings loss to the Boston Red Sox. One of Lowe's hits would be a solo home run off Nick Pivetta in the top of the first inning. The homer would be the first of the season for Lowe, who returned from the injured list last week. Since his return, Lowe has gone 8-for-25 with three runs scored. Lowe has hit second or third in every game since his return and could provide managers with a good blend of speed and pop moving forward after hitting 20 homers and swiping 32 bags in 2023. He is worth rostering in most formats.