Tampa Bay Rays News

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Jonathan Aranda • 1B • Rays

Jonathan Aranda has Cooled Off This Week

After a hot start to the season, Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Jonathan Aranda has cooled off significantly throughout most of April. The 27-year-old has just two hits over his last 30 plate appearances (.091), and only eight total base hits this month. His current .214 BA is more than 100 points lower than his 2025 batting average, though this does come with a .246 xBA. While it is too early in the season to panic, this is something to monitor. Calling Tropicana Field home in 2026 should be considered a downgrade for most hitters, as it is widely considered to be a pitcher's ballpark. That, alongside these early-season struggles, may cause fantasy managers to want to make a change. For now, he can remain on the bench with the hope that he can turn things around and get back to his powerful and productive ways from just one year ago.

Yesterday

Edwin Uceta • RP • Rays

Edwin Uceta Having More Shoulder Issues, "Shut Down for a Few Days"

Tampa Bay Rays right-handed reliever Edwin Uceta (shoulder) is having more shoulder issues, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. "He's sore in the back of his shoulder," manager Kevin Cash said. As a result, Uceta will be shut down for at least a few days and will head back to Tampa to visit with a doctor. The news comes after his rough outing at Triple-A Durham during his minor-league rehab assignment on Thursday, when he allowed two earned runs on five hits allowed in 1 1/3 innings pitched. The 28-year-old Dominican was getting close to making his 2026 season debut, but that will be pushed back a bit now. Griffin Jax got the first opportunity to lock down save duties for the Rays to begin the year with Uceta on the 15-day injured list, but he quickly failed and was replaced with Bryan Baker, who has two saves this week and four total on the year. Uceta is still worth stashing in fantasy baseball leagues as the favorite for saves in Tampa when he's fully healthy.

Yesterday

Bryan Baker • RP • Rays

Bryan Baker the New No. 1 Closer in Tampa Bay?

Tampa Bay Rays closer Bryan Baker has already doubled his career total in saves with the four games he has locked down this year. Baker came into the season with one save from the 2022 season and three from last season, split between two teams. He has four this year, putting him two behind the league lead and making him the only Tampa Bay reliever with more than two. While Griffin Jax has been better of late, his rough start to the season took him out of the closer conversation and opened the door for Baker to take over. Edwin Uceta (shoulder) is working his way back from an injury and may be competition for Baker, but it seems more likely that he will slide into a setup role, keeping Baker in the ninth inning. Baker is currently rostered in just 22% of Yahoo leagues and should be immediately added in most formats. He's posted a 3.68 ERA (2.65 xERA) with seven strikeouts and two walks in 7 1/3 innings.

2 days ago

Bryan Baker • RP • Rays

Bryan Baker Tallies Fourth Save, Emerging as Closer to Roster in Tampa Bay?

Tampa Bay Rays' right-hander Bryan Baker picked up his fourth save of the season on Wednesday against the Chicago White Sox, allowing no hits, one walk, and one inning pitched. The four saves for Baker are a career high, and through eight appearances on the season, he owns a solid 3.68 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and seven strikeouts in seven innings pitched. Baker does not have a ton of experience closing out games, with his previous career high being three saves in 2025, but so far this season, he has five save opportunities compared to Griffin Jax's two. Kevin Kelly also has two save chances, and Mason Englert has one. While Baker may not be deployed as the Rays' full-time closer, he appears to be the most likely reliever to pitch the ninth inning for the foreseeable future, making him a strong add off the waiver wire heading into Week 5 for fantasy managers looking to bolster their saves category.

2 days ago

Junior Caminero • 3B • Rays

Junior Caminero Shaking Off Slow Start to 2026

Across his first 77 plate appearances of 2026, Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero is hitting .234/.351/.406 with three home runs, six RBI, and nine runs scored. Fresh off a 45-homer season as a 21-year-old in 2025, Caminero hasn't been quite as dynamic early on this year. Still, Caminero's 19.5% strikeout rate is right in line with the 19.1% mark he posted last season. Opposing pitchers are being extra cautious this year with Caminero, as his 15.6% walk rate is nearly 10 percentage points higher than his 6.3% rate from 2025. Caminero has consistently shown the ability to make hard contact throughout his MLB career to this point, which should help him regain his power stroke over a larger sample size of at-bats. Fantasy managers should be patient with Caminero through the early portion of the season.

3 days ago

Jesse Scholtens • SP • Rays

Jesse Scholtens to Serve as Bulk Reliever Against White Sox

The Tampa Bay Rays will use right-handed reliever Cole Sulser as an opener on Wednesday against the Chicago White Sox, with right-hander Jesse Scholtens as the bulk reliever, according to Ryan Bass. It will be Scholten's second relief appearance of the 2026 season. In his first outing, he went 4 2/3 scoreless innings while walking one and striking out four. For now, Scholtens will take over the starting rotation spot in Tampa that was vacated by right-hander Joe Boyle (elbow) going on the 15-day injured list. The 32-year-old Scholtens has only made 29 appearances (11 starts) in the big leagues since debuting with the White Sox in 2023, but he could stick around in the Rays' rotation for a bit if he pitches well. Remember, right-hander Ryan Pepiot (hip) is also on the 60-day IL. Although Scholtens looked good against the Cubs out of the bullpen in his lone outing this year, he has a career ERA over 5.00 with only 74 K's and 34 walks in 98 innings. Fantasy managers should look for better streaming options, even with Scholtens having a nice matchup versus Chicago.

4 days ago

Xavier Isaac • 1B • Rays

Xavier Isaac a Big-Time Power Bat to Keep an Eye on in 2026

Tampa Bay Rays first base prospect Xavier Isaac belted his first home run of the 2026 campaign this past Sunday for Double-A Montgomery, and also legged out a triple in the 2-for-5 effort. The Rays' 13th-ranked prospect was just 1-for-12 (.083) heading into the contest. Just being on the baseball field at all has been an accomplishment in itself after the 6-foot-3 slugger's 2025 season was cut short in July after he required surgery to remove a brain tumor. The 22-year-old is now fully recovered, and hopefully Sunday's performance is the beginning of a hot stretch. The left-handed hitter will need to get the strikeouts under control if he's going to get to Triple-A, though, as he currently owns a 45.8 percent strikeout rate thus far (27.8 career K%). Isaac has big-time raw power that would make him an intriguing fantasy asset should he get the call to the majors, but a 2027 debut is looking more likely at this time.

5 days ago

Steven Matz • SP • Rays

Steven Matz With a Nice Matchup in Week 4, Worth a Stream to Ride the Hot Streak

Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Steven Matz (3-0) has been excellent in his first three starts to the 2026 season with a 3.94 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and 17 strikeouts in 16 innings pitched. Additionally, in Week 4, Matz gets a juicy matchup on Thursday against the Chicago White Sox, who rank in the bottom three in strikeouts per game with 10, indicating Matz, who is currently having a career year in the strikeout department with a 27 percent strikeout rate, should have a solid opportunity on Thursday. Matz is no secret to MLB, as he has played 12 seasons and, in his career, owns a 4.19 ERA and 1.30 WHIP. More importantly, there have not been any crazy adjustments or pitch changes in his arsenal that have suggested he's made any changes, so there should be some regression heading his way, but in the meantime, fantasy managers should ride the hot streak with a great matchup in Week 4.

6 days ago

Joe Boyle • SP • Rays

Joe Boyle Placed on 15-Day Injured List With Elbow Strain

The Tampa Bay Rays announced on Saturday that they placed right-hander Joe Boyle (elbow) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to April 10) with a right-elbow strain and recalled right-hander Jesse Scholtens from Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move. Boyle had a rough go of it in his last outing on Wednesday against the Chicago Cubs, when he surrendered six runs (five earned) while walking three and striking out three in 4 1/3 innings pitched. It's unclear exactly when he might be able to come off the IL, but we wouldn't be surprised if he's not cleared to rejoin Tampa's starting rotation until early May or later. The 26-year-old has an ERA over 5.00 with a 1.08 WHIP and 16:6 K:BB in 15 2/3 innings over his first three starts of the 2026 campaign. It's unclear at this time who might take Boyle's spot in the starting rotation, but the club is hoping to get right-hander Drew Rasmussen back from the paternity list to start in Sunday's series finale against the division-rival New York Yankees. UPDATE: Manager Kevin Cash said the team is being "precautionary" with Boyle, who doesn't have any structural damage in his elbow. Boyle said he's "not too worried about it."

Apr 11

Edwin Uceta • RP • Rays

Edwin Uceta Profiles as a Top Stash Option Ahead of Week 3

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Edwin Uceta (shoulder) has yet to take the MLB mound in 2026 as he works his way back from a shoulder injury. However, the 28-year-old has pitched two scoreless innings across his first two rehab appearances and is expected to have his rehab assignment transferred from Double-A to Triple-A next week. If all continues to go well for Uceta, he could make his return from the injured list in short order. Across 76 innings (70 games) for Tampa Bay in 2025, Uceta recorded a 10-3 record with a 3.79 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 103 strikeouts. Fellow Rays reliever Bryan Baker has pitched well in his ninth-inning opportunities so far, and Uceta is not a lock to immediately take over the closer role. Still, Uceta has struck out at least 32% of the batters he's faced in each of the last two seasons and profiles as the most dynamic option in the Tampa Bay bullpen. For fantasy managers in need of saves, Uceta could be worth stashing off the waiver wire as he nears his return to the big leagues.

Apr 11

Bryan Baker • RP • Rays

Bryan Baker Earns Second Save, Emerging as Top Closer in Tampa Bay?

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Bryan Baker picked up his second save of the season in his team's 5-3 win over the New York Yankees on Friday, recording a scoreless ninth inning with a strikeout. Baker has now earned saves in each of his last two appearances and could be emerging as the Rays' preferred ninth-inning option. While Baker has just six total saves across 212 2/3 career MLB innings, he posted an excellent 24.1% K-BB rate in 2025 and has yet to walk a batter over his five innings of work in 2026. Tampa Bay will be getting back hard-throwing right-hander Edwin Uceta (shoulder) from a shoulder injury at some point in the near future, which could give Baker some competition for the closer role. Still, Baker is worth targeting on the waiver wire for fantasy managers in need of saves.

Apr 11

Drew Rasmussen • SP • Rays

Rays Hoping Drew Rasmussen Will Start on Sunday

The hope is that Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen (personal) will come off the paternity list to make his next start on Sunday against the division-rival New York Yankees, manager Kevin Cash told Ryan Bass. Nothing is set in stone, though, and Rasmussen's next start is to be determined. If it happens, it would push left-hander Shane McClanahan to Tuesday in a very favorable fantasy matchup against the Chicago White Sox. Right-hander Nick Martinez is in line to make the start on Saturday against the Yankees with Rasmussen still on the paternity list. Rasmussen, who has already had a couple of elbow reconstructions, left the team earlier this week for the birth of his child. He has looked good so far in his first two starts in 2026, allowing three runs (two earned) while walking only one and fanning 10 in 10 innings of work. However, he'll face a pretty big early-season challenge in the hot-hitting Yankees if he makes the start in Sunday's series finale.

Apr 10

Drew Rasmussen • SP • Rays

Drew Rasmussen Could Return on Saturday

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Drew Rasmussen (personal) could make his return to the mound on Saturday, according to Marc Topkin. There was hope that Rasmussen could pitch on Friday, but it sounds like the earliest that he'll be back is on Saturday. The right-hander is currently on the paternity leave list, but should be activated in the near future. In the meantime, the Rays will turn to left-hander Steven Matz for the series opener against the New York Yankees on Friday. Fantasy managers should check back for an update, but it sounds like Rasmussen should be ready to go this weekend.

Apr 9

Edwin Uceta • RP • Rays

Edwin Uceta Could Return Before May 1

Tampa Bay Rays right-handed reliever Edwin Uceta (shoulder) will pitch one inning on Friday and on Sunday for Double-A Montgomery on a minor-league rehab assignment before being sent to Triple-A Durham to build his arm up further, according to Ryan Bass. "I'm hopeful just before May 1," manager Kevin Cash said on a possible return timeline. "He didn't have a spring training, so he's gonna get built out, and then it'll kind of decide how we want to navigate." Griffin Jax began the 2026 season as Tampa's first option for saves with Uceta sidelined, but he quickly blew two saves and has been surpassed by Bryan Baker for the time being in the closer hierarchy in Tampa. Uceta, who was one of only five relievers with 100-plus strikeouts in 2025, could quickly become the team's closer once he's activated from the 15-day injured list later this month. The Dominican reliever had a sparkling 1.51 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, and five saves in 2024 as well, and is one of the most talented arms in the Rays' bullpen.

Apr 8

Drew Rasmussen • SP • Rays

Drew Rasmussen Could Return to the Rotation on Friday

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said that right-hander Drew Rasmussen, who is away from the team right now for the birth of his child, could return to the team's starting rotation on Friday against the New York Yankees, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. The 30-year-old was scratched from his scheduled outing against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday after his wife went into labor. At the latest, Rasmussen will rejoin the team on Saturday for the weekend series against the Yankees. After being named an All-Star for the first time in his career in 2025, Rasmussen is off to a good start in 2026 after two starts, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits (two homers) while walking just one and striking out 10 in 10 innings pitched. Rasmussen is looking to take the next step in his seventh year in the big leagues, but he'll have a pretty big challenge on his hands against New York in his third start of the season after he comes off the paternity list.

Apr 8

Ryan Pepiot • SP • Rays

Ryan Pepiot Likely to Go on Rehab Assignment

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Ryan Pepiot (hip) threw a bullpen session on March 23 and received an injection on March 25. He also threw another bullpen on Tuesday and will progress to facing hitters in live batting practice. Pepiot will likely go on a minor-league rehab assignment before coming off the 15-day injured list, per MLB.com. The Rays placed him on the IL on March 22 with right-hip inflammation. Barring a setback on his rehab assignment, Pepiot could rejoin Tampa's starting rotation before the end of April. Until the 28-year-old can return, right-hander Joe Boyle should remain in the Rays' rotation. Pepiot should be stashed in most fantasy baseball leagues until he can make his 2026 season debut. In his second year in Tampa in 2025, he went 11-12 with a career-high 3.86 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 167:61 K:BB in 167 2/3 innings over a career-high 31 starts. He's currently rostered in 89% of Yahoo leagues despite his hip injury.

Apr 8

Bryan Baker • RP • Rays

Is Bryan Baker the Reliever to Roster in Tampa Bay Bullpen?

Tampa Bay Rays reliever Bryan Baker has emerged as a reliable and effective option out of the bullpen in his first full year with the club. Baker has already recorded a save and a win, posting a 2.25 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in four innings of work. He has struggled to find consistency throughout his career, but is off to a dominant start to the 2026 season and is earning more trust from manager Kevin Cash. The 31-year-old has relied heavily on his changeup this year, throwing it 35 percent of the time with a run value in the 94th percentile. As Baker continues to see success, fantasy managers should consider adding him while he remains available.

Apr 8

Drew Rasmussen • SP • Rays

Drew Rasmussen Scratched From Scheduled Start Due to Personal Reasons

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen (personal) has been scratched from his scheduled start on Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs with his wife, Stevie, expecting the couple's second child, according to Ryan Bass. Mason Englert will serve as the opener on Tuesday against Chicago. Rasmussen will eventually be placed on the paternity list, which will allow him to be away from the team for up to three days. The 30-year-old veteran will likely make his next start this weekend against the New York Yankees in a tough matchup. After being a first-time All-Star in 2025, Rasmussen is off to a good start in 2026, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits (two homers) while walking one and striking out 10 in 10 innings of work. Englert, 26, won't be a viable DFS play as an opener in what is likely to be a bullpen game for the Rays. This will be Englert's third career start in 76 appearances, and he's already allowed four earned runs with two homers allowed in three innings out of the Rays' bullpen.

Apr 7

Edwin Uceta • RP • Rays

Edwin Uceta Moving to Double-A on Rehab Assignment

MLB.com reports that Tampa Bay Rays right-handed reliever Edwin Uceta (shoulder) is being moved to Double-A Montgomery on his minor-league rehab assignment. Uceta began the 2026 regular season on the 15-day injured list due to a right-shoulder impingement, but he threw live batting practice on Friday and is ready to start a rehab assignment. The 28-year-old is one of the better stashes for fantasy managers looking for saves, especially since Griffin Jax has already blown two saves to begin the year. The Dominican hurler had a 1.51 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, and a career-high five saves in 2024 in Tampa and then was one of only five relievers with over 100 strikeouts in a career-high 76 innings out of the bullpen last year. Uceta is currently only rostered in 18% of Yahoo leagues, but he could quickly become a favorite for saves in Tampa once he's off the IL and rejoins the Rays' bullpen.

Apr 7

Bryan Baker • RP • Rays

Bryan Baker Earns Save for the Rays on Monday

Tampa Bay Rays reliever Bryan Baker picked up his first save of 2026 on Monday, allowing a solo home run but striking out two in the ninth inning of his team's 6-4 win over the Chicago Cubs. The 31-year-old has been sharp to open the year, recording six strikeouts while allowing just one hit and zero walks across his first four innings pitched. With Rays reliever Edwin Uceta (shoulder) on the injured list, Tampa Bay right-hander Griffin Jax got the first crack at the team's closer role. However, Jax has struggled mightily so far in 2026, opening the door for Baker to get an opportunity. Across 211 2/3 career MLB innings, Baker owns just five total saves. However, he has struck out nearly 28% of the batters he's faced in the big leagues and recorded a stellar 24.1% K-BB rate in 2025. In leagues where he's not already rostered, Baker could be a player for fantasy managers to target on the waiver wire.

Apr 6

Tampa Bay Rays News

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