Tampa Bay Rays News

Hunter Bigge • RP • Rays

Hunter Bigge To Make Opening Day Roster

Tampa Bay Rays right-handed reliever Hunter Bigge, who was originally optioned to Triple-A Durham, will now be on the Opening Day roster with left-hander Shane McClanahan (triceps) starting the year on the 15-day injured list. Bigge, who could be in play for save chances at some point this year, is a hard-throwing 26-year-old who made his big-league debut in 2024 when he appeared in 19 games (one start) with the Rays and Chicago Cubs. He posted a 2.60 ERA (2.76 FIP), a 1.27 WHIP, his first career save, 24 strikeouts and only five walks in 17 1/3 innings pitched. Bigge was much more dominant at Triple-A, recording a 2.25 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, eight saves, 36 strikeouts and nine walks in 20 innings. His fastball-slider combination produces plenty of swings and misses, potentially making him an under-the-radar option in holds leagues.

Yesterday

Shane McClanahan • SP • Rays

Shane McClanahan Feeling Better, Still No Timetable For A Return

Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Shane McClanahan (triceps) said that his arm is already feeling better on Monday, but there's no timetable for his return from nerve irritation in his triceps that will land him on the injured list to begin the regular season. He's waiting for the nerve to calm down. "Granted, situation could be a lot worse. I'm very frustrated that I'm going to be missing a little more time," McClanahan said. The 27-year-old southpaw was pulled from his Grapefruit League start early on Saturday due to nerve irritation in his triceps, and while he may have escaped something very serious, the fact that McClanahan is without a timetable to resume throwing means he could easily miss the first month of the season, if not more. McClanahan has already had Tommy John surgery twice as well, so fantasy managers are going to be very hesitant to pull the trigger on him in drafts this week.

Yesterday

Shane McClanahan • SP • Rays

Shane McClanahan Diagnosed With Inflamed Nerve In Triceps

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane McClanahan has an inflamed nerve in his left triceps, says manager Kevin Cash. He will still begin the year on the IL, but shouldn't miss significant time. This is great news for the lefty and for fantasy managers, who feared the worst after he left his most recent Spring Training start with the injury. After missing all of 2024 while recovering from Tommy John surgery, he will be looking to get back to his 2022 form, when he finished sixth in AL Cy Young voting. He posted a 2.54 ERA and 0.93 WHIP with 194 strikeouts in 166 innings during that year and followed it up with a 3.29 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 2023 before suffering his elbow injury. He is one of the most exciting arms when healthy, and should be one of the highest-priority IL stashes to begin the season

2 days ago

Ryan Pepiot • SP • Rays

Ryan Pepiot To Start Opening Day For Rays

With Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Shane McClanahan (triceps) set to miss time to open the 2025 regular season, right-hander Ryan Pepiot will step in and start on Opening Day on Friday, March 28, against the Colorado Rockies, according to manager Kevin Cash. The 27-year-old went 8-8 with a career-high 3.60 ERA (3.95 FIP), a 1.15 WHIP and a 142:48 K:BB in 130 innings pitched over 26 starts in his first year with the Rays in 2024. Pepiot's season was interrupted by an infection caused by a bug bite, but otherwise he was pretty solid with nine quality starts in his 26 total starts. His fastball-changeup combination can get it done, but Pepiot might not be able to take the next step in his big-league career unless he develops a quality third pitch to keep hitters off balance. Still, there's a lot to like in fantasy, and he'll be a popular DFS play in his first start at home against the Rockies.

2 days ago

Shane McClanahan • SP • Rays

Shane McClanahan Will Undergo Imaging On Sunday

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane McClanahan (triceps) is set to undergo imaging on Sunday and is expected to miss some time. McClanahan exited his start early on Saturday with a triceps injury. Fantasy manager should continue to pay close attention to his status as he exited Saturday's contest in pain. McClanahan is working his way back from Tommy John surgery, which kept him sidelined during the entire 2024 season. However, he has performed very well through camp and was recently named Tampa Bay's Opening Day starter. During the 2022 season, McClanahan enjoyed a breakout campaign as he held a strong 2.54 ERA with a 0.93 WHIP across 166 1/3 innings. He tallied an impressive 194 punchouts. In 2023, McClanahan held a 3.29 ERA with a 1.18 WHIP across 115 frames. Drew Rasmussen will likely enter the starting rotation if the southpaw were to miss time.

3 days ago

Shane McClanahan • SP • Rays

Shane McClanahan Exits Saturday's Contest Early

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane McClanahan (undisclosed) exited Saturday's contest early after throwing just 41 pitches. Before exiting, McClanahan was in pain and waved to the bench to exit the contest. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to his status, as the team will likely provide an update after the contest. The 27-year-old missed the entire 2024 campaign due to Tommy John surgery but is slated to be Tampa Bay's Opening Day starter. During camp, McClanahan has logged seven shutout innings with a 4:8 BB:K. The South Florida product made the American League All-Star team during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. In 2022, McClanahan enjoyed a breakout campaign, as he logged a career-high 166 1/3 innings to the tune of a 2.54 ERA and a stellar 0.93 WHIP. If McClanahan were to miss time, Drew Rasmussen could see starting opportunities.

3 days ago

Danny Jansen • C • Rays

Danny Jansen Dealing With Rib Injury

Tampa Bay Rays catcher Danny Jansen (rib) has been unavailable for the last few days in spring training due to a rib-muscle pull, but manager Kevin Cash is hoping that they can get him back in the Grapefruit League lineup for one of the final two spring games or Wednesday's intrasquad game. "We're trying to just manage it and keep him off the field for a couple days," Cash said. "He's in a really good spot." The 29-year-old hasn't played since Wednesday, and his availability for Opening Day next Thursday is now up in the air. It would be a shame if he's not ready, as Jansen has gone 8-for-25 with two home runs, four RBI and six runs in 11 Grapefruit League games. When healthy, Jansen is expected to be Tampa's primary backstop, but he's no stranger to missing time due to injuries in his career. If he's not ready by the end of next week, Ben Rortvedt will jump into the No. 1 catching spot.

3 days ago

Hunter Bigge • RP • Rays

Hunter Bigge To Start The Year In The Minors

Bally Sports' Ryan Bass reports that the Tampa Bay Rays optioned right-handed relievers Hunter Bigg and Eric Orze to Triple-A Durham on Friday, even with Alex Faedo (shoulder) opening the year on the injured list. Both Bigge and Orze have experience pitching multiple innings in relief in the minors. Right-hander Nathan Wiles was also traded to the Atlanta Braves for cash considerations. Bigge, 26, gave up only two runs in seven Grapefruit League innings while striking out six and walking only one. Orze, 27, was even better in spring training with 10 strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings while showcasing a nasty splitter. Both pitchers should eventually be up in Tampa's big-league bullpen at some point in 2025. The hard-throwing Bigge had a save and two holds in 19 appearances with the Cubs and Rays last year and could be a deep sleeper for saves for the Rays later in the season.

4 days ago

Alex Faedo • RP • Rays

Alex Faedo Expected To Open The Year On The Injured List

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Alex Faedo (shoulder) is expected to start the season on the injured list due to a right-shoulder injury, according to MLB.com's Adam Berry. Manager Kevin Cash said Faedo had an MRI exam that didn't show anything "too alarming," but he will be shut down from throwing for a short period. Before his injury, the 29-year-old looked to be a favorite for the final spot in the bullpen because of his ability to pitch multiple innings, his track record in the big leagues, and the fact he has no minor-league options remaining. The former first-round pick out of Florida struggled with injuries with the Detroit Tigers before posting a 3.61 ERA with 55 strikeouts in 57 1/3 innings over 39 appearances as a reliever last year. If he can move past a shoulder injury that he also dealt with late last year, Faedo could be a valuable multi-inning reliever for the Rays. However, there's very little fantasy appeal.

4 days ago

Eloy Jiménez • DH • Rays

Eloy Jimenez To Start The Season At Triple-A

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder/designated hitter Eloy Jimenez will start the 2025 regular season at Triple-A Durham. Jimenez started to come on strong of late at the plate in Grapefruit League action, but it wasn't enough for him to beat out Curtis Mead, who has been one of the best overall hitters this spring. The 28-year-old Dominican has hit .235 (8-for-34) with a homer, double, four RBI and a run scored in 12 spring games played. Jimenez continues to fall after slashing a combined .238/.289/.336 with a career-low .626 OPS, six home runs and 23 RBI in 98 games in 2024 with the Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles. The oft-injured outfielder continued to deal with injuries last year and made two separate trips to the injured list. Jimenez hits the ball hard when he makes contact, but he hit too many ground balls last year and hasn't displayed an ability to stay healthy long enough to make any real impact.

4 days ago

Curtis Mead • 2B • Rays

Curtis Mead Makes Rays Opening Day Roster

Tampa Bay Rays infielder Curtis Mead has made the team's Opening Day roster, according to manager Kevin Cash. Mead essentially beats out Eloy Jimenez for one of the team's final roster spots out of camp thanks to an impressive Grapefruit League performance this spring. Entering play on Friday, Mead has hit .543 (19-for-35) with a homer, double, three RBI, a stolen base and six runs scored in 13 contests. The 24-year-old Australian's stock is certainly rising for those in deep-mixed and AL-only leagues despite the fact he's only hit .244/.300/.312 with a .613 OPS, two home runs and 12 RBI in 62 games since he debuted in the big leagues in 2023. The former highly-touted prospect in the Phillies system might initially only see playing time in Tampa against lefties, but if he continues to swing the bat like he has in spring training, more playing time will surely come. Stash him in AL-only formats for now.

4 days ago

Taj Bradley • SP • Rays

Taj Bradley Inconsistent In Thursday’s Start

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Taj Bradley was inconsistent in his spring training start on Thursday against the Toronto Blue Jays. He went 5 innings and allowed nine hits, three earned runs, two walks, and only four strikeouts. It's not necessarily the start fantasy managers were looking for, as Opening Day is less than a week away. Bradley enters the 2025 season as the No. 4/5 starter for the Rays, and although he has shown a lot of upside in his first couple of seasons in the MLB, he has shown just enough clunkers, similar to his start on Thursday. Hopefully, he can showcase more consistency in 2025 to live up to his potential and help the Rays compete for an AL East title.

4 days ago

Carson Williams • SS • Rays

Carson Williams Sent To Minor-League Camp

The Tampa Bay Rays have assigned infield prospect Carson Williams to minor-league camp. Williams was not in contention for a spot on the MLB roster but did perform well during camp. Across 12 games, Williams held a .281/.343/.406 line with two doubles and one triple. Williams is considered not only one of the top prospects in the Tampa Bay system but in all of baseball. Last season, the former 28th overall pick spent his entire summer at the Double-A level. Across 115 contests, Williams posted a .256/.352/.469 slash line with 20 doubles and 20 home runs. He swiped 33 bags and held a 58:144 BB:K. During the 2023 season, he posted a .254/.351/.506 line across 105 games at High-A. Fantasy managers should expect Williams to reach Triple-A early in the campaign, which could open the door for a late-season MLB debut.

5 days ago

Chandler Simpson • SS • Rays

Chandler Simpson Assigned To Minor-League Camp

The Tampa Bay Rays have assigned outfield prospect Chandler Simpson to minor league camp. Simpson was not competing for a roster spot during camp. During spring training, Simpson held a .240/.296/.240 line with three stolen bases. However, Simpson performed at an elite level in the minor leagues last season and could still push for a late-season MLB debt. He began the 2024 season with High-A and posted an impressive .364/.431/.372 slash line with 31 stolen bases across 32 contests. Then, at Double-A, Simpson posted an elite .351/.401/.407 slash line with 13 doubles and 73 swiped bags in 78 games. While the Georgia Tech product lacks power upside, he is the most prolific base stealer in the minor leagues. Fantasy managers should monitor his progression as he could push for an early-season Triple-A debut.

5 days ago

Shane Baz • SP • Rays

Shane Baz Not Worried About Spring Training Results

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Shane Baz hasn't put up great numbers in his two Grapefruit League starts, but despite another rough showing on Thursday against the Washington Nationals in which he gave up four earned runs on five hits while walking none and striking out two in 4 1/3 innings, he was encouraged with his outing. "That was the best four-run game I've ever pitched," Baz told manager Kevin Cash. The 25-year-old was able to pitch into the fifth inning and showed improved control and command of his pitches. Overall, Baz has given up 10 earned runs with four walks and five strikeouts in 9 1/3 innings. It hasn't been pretty, but he continues to improve his control and command after missing all of 2023 due to Tommy John surgery. The arrow is pointing up, but the fact that Baz hasn't thrown more than 108 2/3 frames in a single season keeps his upside low entering 2025 as a back-end fantasy starter, at best.

Mar 15

Yandy Díaz • 1B • Rays

Yandy Diaz Has Club Option Picked Up

Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Yandy Diaz is going to stick around with the organization for a few more seasons. On Friday, the Rays picked up Diaz's $12 million team option for 2026 and added a vesting option for the 2027 season. This is noteworthy because Diaz was subject to plenty of trade rumors this offseason, but it appears the Rays want to hold onto the slugging corner infielder. Last season, Diaz slashed .281/.341/.755 with 14 home runs and 65 RBI across 145 games with the Rays. That was actually a down year for Diaz who hit .330 with 22 homers in 2023. He has been a reliable bat for a handful of years and that should remain the case heading into 2025.

Mar 14

Carson Williams • SS • Rays |

Chandler Simpson • SS • Rays

Chandler Simpson, Carson Williams Shine In Spring Breakout Win

Tampa Bay Rays outfield prospect Chandler Simpson and shortstop prospect Carson Williams both put their offensive skills on display in Thursday's 7-5 Spring Breakout win over the Red Sox prospects. Simpson flashed his 80-grade speed on an infield hit to shortstop that he easily beat the throw to first, then swiped his first bag of the series. Then Carson Williams provided some insurance for his squad in the eighth inning when he blasted a two-out solo home run, giving his team some breathing room as they headed into the ninth inning. Neither is expected to make the team out of Spring Training, but both could be fantasy contributors in the second half of the season.

Mar 14

Xavier Isaac • 1B • Rays

Xavier Isaac Not Playing In Spring Breakout Game

Tampa Bay Rays first base prospect Xavier Isaac (wrist/elbow) will not play in the Spring Breakout Game due to a sore elbow and wrist. Isaac has been dealing with this injury throughout most of camp. While he has returned to the lineup as a designated hitter, the team will opt to keep him sidelined to ensure he is ready for the start of the minor league regular season. The team also attempted to move Isaac to the outfield but his injury delayed those plans. Isaac is considered one of the top prospects in Tampa Bay and one of the top at the position in the sport. Last season, the former 29th overall pick spent most of his season at High-A where he posted a .287/.381/.535 line with 17 doubles and 15 home runs. He then earned a brief look at Double-A where he posted a modest .211/.346/.349 line. He will likely begin his 2025 season with Double-A and could push for a promotion to Triple-A later in the summer.

Mar 12

Yandy Díaz • 1B • Rays

Yandy Diaz Could Be Moved Out Of Leadoff Spot

The Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin writes that the Tampa Bay Rays are considering dropping first baseman Yandy Diaz down in the lineup from the leadoff spot as a way to boost their offense in 2025. Diaz has served as the team's leadoff hitter the last two seasons, but the 33-year-old veteran could be moved down in order to increase his RBI opportunities. In the leadoff spot, Diaz won the American League batting title with a .330 batting average in 2023, so he's done well in the lineup spot, but a move down would also give him more chances to drive in runs. Despite the talk about moving Diaz down, he has mostly served as the leadoff man this spring. Regardless of lineup position, fantasy managers can't expect Diaz to ever be as good as he was in 2023, especially if he continues to hit more ground balls. He ranks as RotoBaller's No. 19 fantasy first baseman. A trade might be the best thing for his fantasy value going forward.

Mar 12

Taylor Walls • SS • Rays

Taylor Walls Dealing With Quad Injury

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Taylor Walls (quadriceps) is dealing with a minor quad injury. The infielder exited Saturday's contest early due to this injury. However, the team noted that this injury is not considered serious and expects Walls to return to the lineup later this week. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status in case he faces a setback. Walls is expected to have a more significant role in the lineup over the first two months with Ha-Seong Kim (shoulder) sidelined. He will likely compete alongside Jose Caballero for starting opportunities. Last summer, the 28-year-old appeared in 84 contests for Tampa Bay and posted a .183/.282/.248 line. He swiped 16 bags and drew walks at an elite 12.3 percent rate. However, he generated a weak .184 xBA. Fantasy managers should only target Walls when looking for speed in deeper AL-only formats.

Mar 11

Tampa Bay Rays News

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