Tampa Bay Rays News

Shane Baz  • SP  •  Rays

Shane Baz Strikes Out Seven In Win

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane Baz tossed his third consecutive quality start in Saturday's 7-2 victory over the Red Sox, allowing two earned runs on just three hits and a walk while striking out seven over six innings of work, picking up his fourth win. Baz has looked good since coming off of the IL in July after his recovery from Tommy John surgery, other than perhaps some command issues which he's cleaned up as of late, with just four walks compared to 23 strikeouts over his last four starts. The righty looked like he had a promising future before requiring Tommy John, and that still looks to be the case after he posted a 3.06 ERA and 1.06 WHIP over 14 starts. While the 13.2% K-BB% overall doesn't jump off the page, the last four starts were more in line with what managers should expect from the former first-rounder next season, as he pitched to a 20.9% K-BB% over that timeframe.
Sep 29   
Junior Caminero  • SS  •  Rays

Junior Caminero Blasts Two-Run Shot As Part Of Three-Hit Day

Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero had a huge day at the plate, racking up three hits and three RBI in the Rays' 7-2 win over the Boston Red Sox on Saturday. Caminero blasted his sixth HR of the season off Red Sox start Kutter Crawford, a two-run shot in the third inning. He added an RBI single in the fifth and another single in the seventh to collect his third hit and improve his OPS to .741 on the season. The 21-year-old has been a mainstay at third base for the Rays since his promotion in August. Tampa's No. 1 prospect has seen fairly true results with his .303 wOBA balancing out with his .302 xwOBA. Dynasty managers with Caminero on the roster should expect him to continue to get starts at third base and DH in the 2025 season, giving him plenty of solid value. He'll look to finish his season strong on Sunday against the Red Sox who have yet to name a starter.
Sep 28   
Taj Bradley  • SP  •  Rays

Taj Bradley Fans Seven Over Six Shutout Innings

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Taj Bradley tossed six innings of shutout ball in Friday's 2-1 victory over the Red Sox, allowing just three hits and one walk while striking out seven on the way to earning his eighth win of the season. It caps off an up-and-down season for the righty, as he had a nine-game stretch where he pitched to a 0.82 ERA in the middle of the season, but allowed four runs or more on eight other occasions. Still, his final 4.11 ERA and 1.22 WHIP were improvements over 2023, and his 3.69 SIERA might offer a ray of hope for next season's fantasy prospects as the 10.04 K/9 ability should remain intact.
Sep 28   
Christopher Morel  • 3B  •  Rays

Christopher Morel Sitting Out Against Red Sox

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Christopher Morel and shortstop Taylor Walls are getting the day off on Friday for the series opener against the division-rival Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Richie Palacios is making the start in left field and is hitting seventh, with Jose Caballero returning to shortstop and batting eighth against Red Sox right-hander Nick Pivetta. Morel has reached the 20-homer mark for the second straight season, but he's also hitting under .200 in 149 combined games with the Rays and Chicago Cubs. He's been even worse since coming to Tampa at the trade deadline, hitting .183 (30-for-164) with just three home runs, four doubles, two triples, seven RBI and 55 strikeouts in 180 trips to the plate. Palacios has mainly been a speed threat for fantasy managers in AL-only leagues with a career-high 19 stolen bases in 2024, but he hasn't provided much else in just 90 games.
Sep 27   
Tyler Alexander  • SP  |  Tyler Alexander  • SP  •  Rays

Tyler Alexander Shines Thursday

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Tyler Alexander was excellent on Thursday, holding the Detroit Tigers scoreless over five innings in a 4-3 loss. Alexander allowed four hits, didn't walk a batter, and struck out six. It was the best outing of the season for the 30-year-old, who owns a 5.10 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in 2024. Aside from the ratios, Alexander also has the problem of not pitching deep into games, as the Rays usually pull him after four or five innings. He doesn't have much utility in fantasy.
Sep 27   
Wander Franco  • SS  •  Rays

Case Against Wander Franco Will Go To Trial

A judge in the Dominican Republic ruled on Thursday that the evidence presented against Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco merits a trial, according to multiple reports. Franco is charged with human trafficking, sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of a minor. The charges stem from the 23-year-old's relationship with a then-14-year-old girl that started in December of 2022, when Franco was 21. If he is convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison. No date for the trial has been set for Franco, who obviously has been on the restricted list all year and hasn't played since August of 2023. Judge Pascual Valenzuela "repeatedly pointed out to him that the decision is not an opinion of guilt," but that the evidence is considered worthy of the case moving to the trial stage. The Rays still owe Franco $172 million from the 11-year, $182 million deal he signed after his debut season in 2021.
Sep 27   
Yandy Díaz  • 1B  •  Rays  |  José Caballero  • SS  •  Rays

Yandy Diaz, Jose Caballero Out On Thursday

Tampa Bay Rays infielders Yandy Diaz and Jose Caballero and outfielder Jonny DeLuca are all out of the lineup for Thursday's series finale against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Diaz is on the bench for the third time in the last four days, but it doesn't appear he's dealing with any sort of injury. The 33-year-old hasn't been as good as he was last year when he won the American League batting title with a .330 average, but he's still been one of Tampa's best hitters with a .282/.342/.417 slash line with 14 homers and 65 RBI in 143 games played. Jonathan Aranda is playing first and batting cleanup, with Taylor Walls at short and batting ninth, and Jose Siri in center and in the seven-hole against Tigers right-hander Reese Olson. Aranda recently homered in three straight games and has become a regular down the stretch, hitting .262 (16-for-61) with five homers and nine RBI in 20 games in September.
Sep 26   
Josh Lowe  • RF  •  Rays  |  Jonathan Aranda  • 1B  •  Rays

Jonathan Aranda, Josh Lowe Sitting Against Tigers

Tampa Bay Rays infielder Jonathan Aranda and outfielder Josh Lowe are out of the team's starting lineup on Tuesday against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park with a left-hander on the mound. Brandon Lowe will start at first base and bat second, with Jonny DeLuca manning right field and hitting third for the Rays versus Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal. Skubal is one of the best all-around pitchers in the game, so DFS managers will probably be looking to fade both Lowe and DeLuca on Tuesday. Aranda has gone deep in three straight games but will get a day off with a tough southpaw on the mound. Since being called back up on Aug. 30, he has hit .274 (17-for-62) with five homers, four doubles and 10 RBI in 20 games. Josh Lowe has hit just .227 (10-for-44) with none of his 10 home runs and 16 strikeouts in 49 plate appearances against lefties in 2024.
Sep 24   
Shane Baz  • SP  •  Rays

Shane Baz Looks Strong On Sunday

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane Baz continued his stellar second half of the season on Sunday. The right-hander allowed one run on four hits over six innings of work during the victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. Baz notched six strikeouts while only walking one batter during this outing. He holds a 2.71 ERA since the All-Star break and looks to end the regular season on a strong note against the Boston Red Sox next week.
Sep 23   
José Caballero  • SS  •  Rays

Jose Caballero Retreats To Bench Versus Blue Jays

Tampa Bay Rays infielder Jose Caballero and outfielder Jonny DeLuca are both out of the starting lineup on Saturday at Tropicana Field against the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays. Taylor Walls will make the start at the 6 for Tampa and will hit ninth, while Jose Siri starts in center field and bats seventh against Blue Jays rookie right-hander Yariel Rodriguez. Caballero does lead the league with 44 stolen bases (and also 14 times caught stealing), but he has only nine home runs and 44 RBI on the year in 133 games in his first year in Tampa and has struggled at the plate of late. The 28-year-old Panama native has gone 11-for-49 (.225) in 18 games in September with no homers, two doubles, three RBI, seven steals and 17 strikeouts in 53 plate appearances. Walls and Siri have four combined at-bats against Rodriguez this year and have gone hitless.
Sep 21   
Jonathan Aranda  • 1B  •  Rays

Jonathan Aranda Wins It For The Rays

Tampa Bay Rays infielder Jonathan Aranda didn't hit your prototypical walk-off home run, but his solo shot in the sixth inning proved to be the game-winner in a tight 1-0 win over the Blue Jays on Friday. Aranda has now hit safely in 10 of the last 11 games he's started, going 12-for-40 (.300) over that stretch with three doubles, three home runs, four RBI, and seven runs scored. During his time in the minors, the 26-year-old has proven he's got some pop in his bat, including a 25-homer season at Triple-A in 2023, but for fantasy managers navigating the fantasy playoffs, there are probably better upside options out there on the waiver wire.
Sep 21   
Shane McClanahan  • SP  •  Rays

Shane McClanahan Feeling Like Himself

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane McClanahan (elbow) is nearing the end of his rehab program and will be a full go for the 2025 season. McClanahan had Tommy John surgery in August of 2023 and took his rehab slow to ensure he was ready to go for next season. The 27-year-old says that he is feeling as good as he did before getting injured and is ready for a big season in 2025. Shane O Mac is one of the best in the game when healthy, and he is likely to be drafted relatively highly for a pitcher coming off Tommy John surgery. If he is out there in any keeper leagues, this is a good time to go out and get him.
Sep 20   
Zack Littell  • SP  •  Rays

Zack Littell Fires Gem On Thursday

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Zack Littell continued his impressive stretch on Thursday, shutting out the Boston Red Sox for seven innings and earning his eighth win in a 2-0 victory. Littell was completely dominant in this one, allowing just one hit and walking no one while punching out seven. This makes three straight outings where the 28-year-old hasn't given up a run or allowed more than three hits. It's been a good campaign overall for Littell, and he could earn himself a spot in Tampa's 2025 rotation with the way he's pitched. The righty has one start left this year against the feisty Detroit Tigers, and fantasy managers who are in a pickle certainly could do worse than Littell.
Sep 20   
Junior Caminero  • SS  •  Rays

Junior Caminero Not Playing Against Red Sox

Tampa Bay Rays infield prospect Junior Caminero is getting a day of rest on Thursday against the division-rival Boston Red Sox at Tropicana Field. This will be Caminero's second day off since the Rays called him up in the middle of last month. Caminero came up for just seven games to make his major-league debut last year. He's had a little more run in the big leagues in 2024 after dealing with some injuries in the minors earlier this year. In his 34 games played for Tampa this year, he is hitting .248/.312/.411 with a .723 OPS, four home runs, seven doubles, a triple, 14 RBI and two steals in 141 plate appearances. The 21-year-old Dominican is a big part of the team's future and should be a lineup regular from Day 1 in 2025. With Caminero out on Thursday, Jose Caballero is at third and batting sixth, while Taylor Walls starts at short and bats eighth against Red Sox right-hander Brayan Bello.
Sep 19   
Jeffrey Springs  • SP  •  Rays

Jeffrey Springs Won't Pitch Again This Year

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said that left-hander Jeffrey Springs (elbow) is doing better, but he will not pitch again in 2024. The Rays placed Springs on the 15-day injured list with left-elbow fatigue earlier this month. It just doesn't make any sense to push him back with the Rays out of playoff contention and based on the fact that the 31-year-old southpaw came back from Tommy John surgery this year. The Rays will shut him down now and have him focus on getting his left elbow completely healthy for spring training next year and the start of the 2025 campaign. Springs ended up making only seven starts this year, but he looked good in his 33 innings pitched, posting a 3.27 ERA and 1.36 WHIP with 37 strikeouts and 11 walks. As long as Springs looks healthy next spring, he'll be on the fantasy radar in all formats after posting a 2.46 ERA with 144 K's in 135 1/3 innings in 2022.
Sep 18   
Pete Fairbanks  • RP  •  Rays

Pete Fairbanks Won't Return This Season

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Pete Fairbanks (lat) won't take the mound again this season, according to manager Kevin Cash. The right-hander has been sidelined since mid-August due to a lat strain. The Rays have been going with closer-by-committee while Fairbanks has been sidelined. Edwin Uceta appears to be the favorite for the final frame. He is putting together a breakout campaign with a 1.42 ERA and 53 strikeouts across 26 appearances this season. However, Uceta only has three saves to his name this season, so he's not a great fantasy asset in that aspect.
Sep 17   
Colin Poche  • RP  •  Rays

Colin Poche Reinstated From Injured List

The Tampa Bay Rays reinstated left-hander Colin Poche (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list on Monday and optioned right-hander Cole Sulser to Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move. Inflammation in Poche's left shoulder has kept him out in September to this point, but he will skip a minor-league rehab assignment and return to Tampa's big-league bullpen to close out the 2024 season. The 30-year-old southpaw will return to a 1-2 record, 3.67 ERA (5.15 FIP), a 1.14 WHIP, two saves, 31 strikeouts and 13 walks in his 34 1/3 relief innings in 2024 over 39 appearances. The Rays are currently rolling with a closer-by-committee approach involving Edwin Uceta, Manuel Rodriguez and Richard Lovelady late in the year, and Poche could enter that mix now that he's healthy. Fantasy managers desperate for saves this late in the game could take a flier on Poche in deep leagues.
Sep 16   
Christopher Morel  • 3B  •  Rays

Christopher Morel Not In Saturday's Lineup

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder/third baseman Christopher Morel (Achilles) is not in the starting nine on Saturday as the Rays continue a series against the Cleveland Guardians. Morel was lifted early from Friday's game after suffering an Achilles injury while running. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to Sunday's lineup as the 25-year-old may not need to be sidelined long. As a result, Yandy Diaz will shift to the designated hitter spot, which will open up first base for Brandon Lowe. Both Diaz and Lowe are worth a look at in DFS this afternoon as they face Cleveland southpaw Joey Cantillo, who has bounced between the rotation and the bullpen this summer. However, he looked quite sharp in his previous outing striking out 11 batters but still sits with a hefty 5.96 ERA.
Sep 14   
Christopher Morel  • 3B  •  Rays

Christopher Morel Leaves Game Early With Right-Achilles Discomfort

Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Christopher Morel left Friday night's game early with right-Achilles discomfort, according to the team. Morel was replaced by Dylan Carlson in the top of the third after recording a single and rounding first hard before returning to the base, apparently tweaking his Achilles in the process. No further update has been provided by the team as of yet, but until then, it should be assumed that the 25-year-old's status is day-to-day. Morel has been subpar with the Rays since being acquired in a trade with the Chicago Cubs, hitting for just a 66 OPS+ in 150 plate appearances. Much of the drop in production has been due to a huge drop in power, hitting for a .583 OPS with Tampa compared to .675 with Chicago before he was traded. Fantasy managers likely haven't been counting on Morel, but if they need another option from the Rays to finish the season, they should consider Jonny DeLuca, who is hitting for a 125 wRC+ over the last 30 days in the Rays' outfield.
Sep 14   
Ryan Pepiot  • SP  •  Rays

Ryan Pepiot Has No Injury Designation After Leaving Thursday's Start Early

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Pepiot (undisclosed) left his start early on Thursday but does not have an injury designation, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. The right-hander logged only two innings of work against the Guardians before departing. Pepiot ran into some trouble, as he served up four hits, two walks, and two earned runs while only striking out one. However, since Aug. 16, Pepiot has carried a strong 2.81 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to any updates regarding the 27-year-old, as he may be on another strict pitch count in his next start. In his first season in Tampa Bay, the former Dodger sits with a 3.66 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP through 113 innings of work.
Sep 13   
LEGEND
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