Tampa Bay Rays News

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Cedric Mullins • CF • Rays |

Chandler Simpson • CF • Rays

Chandler Simpson, Cedric Mullins Expected to Play Tuesday

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said that outfielders Chandler Simpson (hamstring) and Cedric Mullins (back) are feeling better and should play on Tuesday in Grapefruit League action, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Simpson, the more attractive fantasy outfielder of the two because of his high-end speed, has not played since last Tuesday after feeling soreness in his left hamstring. It's an injury the 25-year-old had battled through early in camp, so the Rays aren't taking any chances. Simpson doesn't offer much to fantasy managers outside of stolen bases, so he could be vulnerable to a loss of playing time if his glove doesn't improve in the outfield. Mullins, 31, also hasn't played since last Tuesday due to a sore back, but it's not viewed as a long-term issue. He still has power from the left side and could be on the strong side of a platoon in Tampa, but declining batted-ball metrics for Mullins make him merely a late-round dice roll in mixed fantasy leagues this year.

14 hours ago

Gavin Lux • LF • Rays

Gavin Lux to Make Spring Debut on Tuesday

Tampa Bay Rays infielder Gavin Lux (upper body) is expected to make his Spring Training debut on Tuesday. The team has been vague about Lux so far, but they've been holding him out due to body soreness. He'll take some live at-bats on Sunday and will get into game action on Tuesday. Barring any setbacks, Lux should be ready to go for Opening Day. Lux was traded to the Rays in a three-team deal in January. He figures to get regular playing time at second base with Brandon Lowe no longer on the team. Last season, Lux slashed .269/.350/.374 with five home runs, 53 RBI, and one steal in 127 games. The 28-year-old is unlikely to offer much fantasy value given his lack of power and speed.

Yesterday

Cedric Mullins • CF • Rays

Cedric Mullins Resumes Baseball Activities

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Cedric Mullins (back) has been kept out of the lineup lately due to a lingering back issue. Mullins is reportedly feeling better and was able to resume baseball activities. Rays' manager Kevin Cash said that Mullins is improving, but he isn't going to play for a little bit. The Rays aren't going to take any chances early in camp, so they'll let Mullins get 100 percent healthy. This shouldn't be something that impacts his status for Opening Day. Mullins is looking to bounce back after a fairly disappointing season in 2025. He slashed .216/.297/.391 with 17 home runs, 59 RBI, and 22 stolen bases in 122 games with the Baltimore Orioles and New York Mets last season. The 31-year-old can still help fantasy managers with a little bit of pop and his speed upside.

Yesterday

Yandy Díaz • 1B • Rays

Yandy Diaz Remains Out with Hand Soreness

Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Yandy Diaz (hand) has been unable to play most of this past week due to injury. According to Marc Topkin, Diaz has been out since Tuesday due to left-hand soreness. Rays' manager Kevin Cash said that Diaz is fine and he'll get a few more days off before returning to the lineup. It's Spring Training, so teams are almost always going to be extremely cautious with even minor issues. This doesn't sound like something that is going to impact Diaz for much longer. Diaz is coming off an excellent season where he slashed .300/.366/.482 with 25 home runs and 83 RBI in 150 games. There will likely be a regression in his power numbers with the move away from Steinbrenner Field. Fantasy managers should still be able to count on Diaz as a reliable bat.

Yesterday

Chandler Simpson • CF • Rays

Rays Being Overly Cautious with Chandler Simpson

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Chandler Simpson (hamstring) hasn't played since Wednesday, but fantasy managers shouldn't be too worried right now. On Saturday, manager Kevin Cash said that the team is being overly cautious with Simpson. It sounds like the speedy outfielder is dealing with left hamstring tightness. The Rays don't want to push Simpson too hard and have him make the injury worse. For now, Simpson should be considered day-to-day. The 25-year-old doesn't appear to be in jeopardy of missing Opening Day. Last season, Simpson slashed .295/.326/.345 with 26 RBI and 44 stolen bases in 106 games. Simpson is a great source for steals, but he doesn't offer a ton of upside outside of that.

2 days ago

Junior Caminero • 3B • Rays

Junior Caminero Could be Risky at Current ADP

Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero is coming off an excellent breakout campaign in 2025. The 22-year-old burst onto the scene with a .264/.311/.535 slash line with 45 home runs and 110 RBI in 154 games. His defense wasn't great, but Caminero has the potential to be a superstar in this league for a long time. The biggest question for Caminero next season will be can continue this success in a new field? Last season, Caminero enjoyed playing his home games in hitter-friendly Steinbrenner Field. His home run distribution was fairly even with (22) homers at home and (23) on the road. He sported a .313 batting average playing at home with a lousy .218 average in road games. The expectation is that his power numbers and overall offensive success will regress with the move back to Tropicana Field in 2026. Caminero is still a stud, but he's sitting around 15.7 ADP in some fantasy formats. That might be a little high for a player who is more than likely going to face an offensive regression this season.

4 days ago

Shane McClanahan • SP • Rays

Shane McClanahan Throws Two Scoreless Innings in Spring Debut

Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Shane McClanahan (triceps) made his first Grapefruit League start on Tuesday against the Philadelphia Phillies and pitched well, throwing two scoreless innings while allowing two hits, walking none, and striking out one. McClanahan, a two-time All-Star, has not pitched since 2023, first having Tommy John surgery and then missing all of last year with a nerve-related issue in his left triceps muscle. The 28-year-old southpaw is back, though, and he was able to hit 96.7 mph with his fastball on Tuesday while throwing 16 of his 23 pitches for strikes. McClanahan was showing ace potential for the Rays before the injuries started, so there is upside here. However, after missing the last two seasons, workload restrictions will likely limit McClanahan's ceiling in 2026. RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 67 fantasy starting pitcher as a late-round flier with upside. His ADP will only continue to rise if he looks good and stays healthy in spring training.

5 days ago

Cedric Mullins • CF • Rays

Cedric Mullins Goes Deep for First Time in Rays Uniform

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Cedric Mullins went deep for the first time in spring training on Friday in a Grapefruit League game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Mullins went 2-for-2 with two RBI. He entered Monday's action hitting .250 (2-for-8) with a homer, two RBI, and two runs scored in his first four spring games with Tampa. The 31-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder is coming off a disappointing 2025 season spent with the Baltimore Orioles and New York Mets. Mullins hit .216/.299/.391 with a .690 OPS, 17 home runs, 59 RBI, 58 runs scored, and 22 stolen bases in 498 plate appearances over 133 games played. He's probably no longer a threat for 30 homers and 30 stolen bases, but he did have 15 homers and 49 RBI in just 91 games for Baltimore before being traded to New York last year. Mullins isn't going to be a help in batting average, but he can help with counting stats as outfield depth as Tampa's starting center fielder.

7 days ago

Jacob Melton • LF • Rays

Jacob Melton is Returning on Sunday

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Jacob Melton (thumb) is back in the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Atlanta Braves. Melton was scratched from Thursday's lineup due to left thumb soreness. He received a few days off to rest and is now ready to play again. He's currently competing for a spot in the outfield on the Opening Day roster. Melton was acquired by the Rays earlier in the offseason in a three-team trade with the Houston Astros and Pittsburgh Pirates. The 25-year-old struggled during his 32 big league games last season, but has plus speed and is normally someone who can make consistent contact.

Mar 1

Shane McClanahan • SP • Rays

Shane McClanahan to Make Spring Debut on Tuesday

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said that left-hander Shane McClanahan (triceps) did well in throwing "two innings" of live batting practice on Thursday in camp, and he's scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut next Tuesday against the Philadelphia Phillies, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. The 28-year-old southpaw and two-time All-Star is currently the No. 69-ranked fantasy starting pitcher at RotoBaller, but his 2026 value will continue to rise if he proves he's fully healthy in spring training action. McClanahan last pitched in the big leagues in 2023, so there is obviously a lot of risk in rostering a pitcher that will surely have some workload restrictions this year, at least early on. He's a risk/reward fantasy selection who could struggle to return to his pre-injury form. McClanahan had Tommy John surgery in 2023 and then suffered a freak nerve injury to his triceps that kept him from pitching at all last year.

Feb 26

Chandler Simpson • CF • Rays

Chandler Simpson "Tentatively" Scheduled to Make Spring Debut on Friday

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said that outfielder Chandler Simpson (hamstring) is tentatively scheduled to make his 2026 Spring Training debut on Friday, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Simpson has been held out of the Rays' first few Spring games due to a tight left hamstring, but it does not appear that he is suffering from a serious injury. It would make sense for Tampa Bay to slow-roll Simpson's recovery from a hamstring ailment at this point in the calendar, as the 25-year-old's main appeal as both a fantasy and real-life player is his speed. Across 441 plate appearances in 2025, Simpson hit .295/.326/.345 with zero home runs, 26 RBI, 53 runs scored, and 44 stolen bases. He struck out in just 9.8% of his plate appearances, but also posted a remarkably poor 0.0% barrel rate. As long as Simpson makes a full recovery and can hold down regular playing time in Tampa Bay, his speed and ability to hit for average give him fantasy appeal. However, his lack of power makes him difficult to build around in rotisserie-scoring formats.

Feb 24

Jacob Melton • LF • Rays

Jacob Melton Showcasing Power in Spring Training

Tampa Bay Rays outfield prospect Jacob Melton went 1-for-3 with a home run during their loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday afternoon. Melton would launch a solo shot (his first of spring training) in the sixth frame. The team's No. 4-ranked prospect on MLB.com is in competition for one of the final spots on the MLB roster and could make a strong case with a productive spring training. Last season, Melton made his MLB debut with the Astros and spent 32 games in Houston. During this stint, the former second-round pick posted a modest .157/.234/.186 slash line with no home runs and a 29:6 K:BB. Through 35 games at Triple-A, Melton was far more productive, posting a .286/.389/.556 line with six home runs and 12 stolen bases. He is a name to monitor in deeper five-outfielder formats as he could have some sleeper appeal if he cracks the Opening Day roster, given his speed upside.

Feb 23

Taylor Walls • SS • Rays

Taylor Walls is Making Spring Debut on Sunday

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Taylor Walls (hernia) is set to make his Spring Training debut versus the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday. Walls underwent sports hernia surgery in September, but appears to be fully healthy now. The 29-year-old figures to begin the season as the starting shortstop with Carson Williams waiting in the wings. Last season, Walls slashed .220/.280/.319 with four home runs, 38 RBI, and 14 stolen bases in 101 games. Walls is a below-average hitter, but makes up for it with his elite fielding ability. The Rays will likely stick with Walls to begin the season due to his defensive ability, but his struggles as a hitter make him a shaky fantasy option.

Feb 22

Yandy Díaz • 1B • Rays

Can Yandy Diaz Repeat 2025 Power Surge?

Tampa Bay Rays first baseman/designated hitter Yandy Diaz had an excellent season in 2025, hitting .300/.366/.482 with 25 home runs, 83 RBI, 79 runs scored, and three stolen bases across 651 plate appearances. Diaz has established himself as one of fantasy baseball's best sources of batting average, particularly relative to his position. He's hit .291 across almost 3,500 plate appearances since joining the Rays in 2019, and has hit .296 or better in three out of the last four years. Diaz logged a 52.4% hard-hit rate while striking out in just 14.1% of his plate appearances in 2025, so he appears to have plenty left in the tank as he enters his age-34 season. Where he might regress is in the power category, as Tampa Bay will move back into Tropicana Field for the 2026 season after playing its home games at the hitter-friendly Steinbrenner Field last year. 18 of Diaz's 25 home runs came at home in 2025, and he's hit more than 14 bombs just twice in nine big-league seasons. Still, Diaz has proven himself to be a reliable producer and should be locked into everyday playing time in Tampa Bay in 2026.

Feb 21

Edwin Uceta • RP • Rays

Edwin Uceta has Shoulder Inflammation, Slight Impingement

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said that right-handed reliever Edwin Uceta was diagnosed with shoulder inflammation and a slight impingement in his right shoulder, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Uceta got a cortisone shot, and the plan is for him to start throwing next weekend. Topkin writes that Uceta could be cutting it close to be ready for Opening Day on March 26. The 28-year-old figures to be squarely in the mix for save chances in Tampa alongside Griffin Jax and Garrett Cleavinger this year after posting a 3.79 ERA (3.69 FIP), 1.17 WHIP, one save, a career-high 103 strikeouts, and 27 walks in 76 innings for the Rays in 2025. He was even better the year prior with a 1.51 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, and a career-high five saves. Uceta was one of just five relievers last season to reach 100 K's.

Feb 21

Drew Rasmussen • SP • Rays

Drew Rasmussen to See Career-High in Innings?

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen, who has been named the team's Opening Day starter in 2026, is a pretty good bet to see a career-high in innings pitched this year, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Rasmussen exceeded expectations in his first full year back from Tommy John surgery in 2025, going 10-5 with a 2.76 ERA (3.84 FIP), 1.02 WHIP, and 127:37 K:BB in 150 innings over 31 starts to become a first-time All-Star. For obvious reasons, the Rays closely monitored the 30-year-old's workload, and he still set a new career high in innings. Rasmussen has already had three serious elbow surgeries, dating back to his college days, but barring an injury this year, he should easily surpass the 150-inning mark he set in 2025. With more volume comes higher fantasy upside for Rasmussen, who is ranked as RotoBaller's No. 44 fantasy starting pitcher in 2026.

Feb 20

Chandler Simpson • CF • Rays

Chandler Simpson Dealing With Tight Hamstring

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Chandler Simpson (hamstring) is dealing with a tight left hamstring and will not play in at least the first several Grapefruit League games in spring training, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Simpson continues to do on-field work, so it doesn't appear to be a very serious injury. Still, it's something to watch carefully for the 25-year-old, whose game is mostly based on speed. The 25-year-old former second-round pick in 2022 out of the Georgia Institute of Technology made his major-league debut last year and slashed .295/.326/.345 with a .671 OPS, zero home runs, 26 RBI, 53 runs scored, and 44 stolen bases in 441 plate appearances over 109 games. With no power and a below-average glove, there isn't a ton of room for error for the speedy Simpson. Because Simpson is mainly a stolen base contributor, he has a limited ceiling as a No. 4 fantasy outfielder.

Feb 20

Griffin Jax • RP • Rays

Griffin Jax Could Re-Emerge as a Dominant Reliever in Tampa Bay

In 2024, while pitching for the Minnesota Twins, Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Griffin Jax emerged as one of the best high-leverage arms in baseball. Jax's performance declined in 2025, as he finished the year with a 4.23 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 99 strikeouts across 66 innings split between Minnesota and Tampa Bay. Still, Jax posted an elite 35% strikeout rate, and his ERA improved to a more manageable 3.60 across 23 appearances with the Rays after being acquired mid-season. Heading into 2026, Jax appears to be competing with right-hander Edwin Uceta and left-hander Garrett Cleavinger for the closer job in Tampa Bay. Rays manager Kevin Cash is known for using multiple relievers in the ninth inning, so the most likely scenario is that Jax will not see 100% of the team's save opportunities. However, given his ability to rack up strikeouts, he could be a useful relief option for fantasy managers even if he remains in a part-time closer role. With a current average draft position of pick 233, Jax could ultimately end up providing significant value for managers in the middle rounds of drafts.

Feb 19

Wander Franco • SS • Rays

Wander Franco "Confident and Optimistic" Heading into Upcoming Trial

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco is said to be "confident and optimistic" ahead of a new trial on charges of sexual abuse of a minor in the Dominican Republic, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Franco was found guilty of the charges in June, but both sides appealed the decision, leading to the ordering of a new trial, which begins Friday. The 24-year-old has not appeared in an MLB game since August of 2023 and remains on the league's restricted list. If found guilty in the new trial, Franco could face stricter punishment, including jail time. If cleared of the charges, he would likely still face an uphill battle to make it back to the big leagues and could still be subject to a suspension from MLB.

Feb 19

Drew Rasmussen • SP • Rays

Drew Rasmussen to Start on Opening Day for Rays

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen will take the hill on Opening Day on March 26 against the St. Louis Cardinals, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Rasmussen gets the nod after exceeding expectations last year in his first full season back from right-elbow surgery. The 30-year-old veteran was a first-time All-Star in his sixth year in the big leagues and went 10-5 with a 2.76 ERA (3.84 FIP), 1.02 WHIP, career-high 127 strikeouts, and 37 walks in 150 innings pitched over 31 starts. Still, fantasy managers need to remember that Rasmussen has had three elbow surgeries in his career. The Rays could loosen the leash a bit in terms of his workload in 2026, but they will still probably be somewhat cautious, given his injury history. You can't argue with Rasmussen's results when he's been healthy, though, as he has the fourth-best ERA among all pitchers in the last five years. He has a decent floor as a No. 4 starting pitcher in fantasy.

Feb 19

Tampa Bay Rays News

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