Tampa Bay Rays News

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Edwin Uceta • RP • Rays

Edwin Uceta to Begin Throwing in Late-June

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Edwin Uceta (shoulder) will resume a throwing program in late June, according to Marc Topkin. Rays manager Kevin Cash confirmed on Friday that Uceta will begin throwing in about 10 days. The right-hander has been shut down since suffering a setback in late May. He has been sidelined all season while recovering from a right shoulder strain. When healthy, Uceta can be a legitimate late-inning option for the Rays. He could very well insert himself into the save conversation once he's able to get on the mound. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect him to make an impact in Tampa Bay until at some point in July at the earliest.

Yesterday

Griffin Jax • SP • Rays

Griffin Jax Seeing Waiver Value Soar Amid Impressive Stretch

Tampa Bay Rays right-handed pitcher Griffin Jax is becoming a more useful fantasy option as he settles into a starting role. Across 44 innings, the 31-year-old owns a 1-5 record, 3.68 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 41 strikeouts. The overall WHIP is not ideal, but Jax has been better since moving into the rotation, posting a 3.00 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and 27 strikeouts over his last seven starts. Over his last two outings, Jax has been even sharper, not allowing an earned run with a 1.00 WHIP (across 10 frames). The former high-leverage reliever also brings high-end whiff potential after recording 99 strikeouts out of the bullpen last season. Workload remains the main caveat, as Tampa Bay has been careful while stretching him out, which may limit his win upside in the short term. The 32% Yahoo roster rate keeps the door open in many leagues, making Jax a viable deeper-format target for managers looking for rotation help with emerging strikeout appeal.

3 days ago

Ian Seymour • RP • Rays

Is Ian Seymour Stepping Up as a Potential Stash Candidate?

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher/relief pitcher Ian Seymour seems to be moving towards a transition to a spot in the starting rotation after beginning the year in the bullpen. He has a 4.93 ERA and 4.64 FIP in his 38 1/3 innings this season, but his xERA is only 3.54, indicating he has had some below-average contact luck. He has 41 strikeouts in 38 1/3 innings, and his 25% K% is enough to give him an intriguing upside. The 27-year-old lefty started against the Red Sox last Monday and went four innings, giving up just one run. On Sunday, he came in after an opener and worked 3 1/3 innings against the Angels, allowing two runs on two hits and three walks. He'll need to improve his control and efficiency as he stretches back out, but his strikeout upside makes him worth stashing in deep leagues if the Rays continue to position him to pitch as a starter or a predictable primary reliever going forward.

4 days ago

Brody Hopkins • RP • Rays

Brody Hopkins Still on the Stash Radar Following Six-Run Showing?

Tampa Bay Rays top pitching prospect Brody Hopkins was enjoying a productive stretch at Triple-A while pitching out of the bullpen, but he was recently moved back to the starting rotation. In his return to the rotation, Hopkins unfortunately took a step back in his production as he served up a hefty six earned runs with a 4:6 K:BB across two innings of work. However, before this game, Hopkins logged 10 straight shutout innings (all out of the bullpen) with a stellar 16:3 K:BB. Hopkins began the Triple-A regular season pitching out of the starting rotation, where he held a modest 3.98 ERA with a rough 46:42 K:BB, which encouraged Durham to move him to a long-relief role. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor the production, as it appeared Hopkins' clearer path to the majors was through the bullpen. If the No. 81-ranked prospect in baseball quickly returns to form, he could re-emerge as a deep-league stash target later in June. For now, he is only worth stashing in deep 15-team redraft leagues.

5 days ago

Brody Hopkins • RP • Rays

Brody Hopkins Looks to Solidify Status as Deep-League Stash Option

Tampa Bay Rays pitching prospect Brody Hopkins will get his next shot at proving his recent run of success is for real when he takes the mound for Triple-A Durham on Thursday night in Nashville against a formidable lineup made up of hot-hitting Brewers prospects. Over the right-hander's last six appearances, he's pitched to a 1.42 ERA while striking out 32 batters across 25 1/3 innings pitched. The Rays' top pitching prospect had an issue walking batters for most of the season, even during his recent success, but has improved considerably over his last two appearances, recording a 16:3 K:BB in 10 IP. If that is the trend going forward, the 24-year-old's momentum should carry him to a major league debut in the coming weeks. With his strikeout upside and the control problems hopefully a thing of the past, the 6-foot-4 hurler has emerged as a solid stash candidate in deeper leagues, so managers will want to keep an eye on his progress, starting Thursday night.

Jun 11

Garrett Cleavinger • RP • Rays

Garrett Cleavinger Emerging as Deep-League Waiver Target?

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Garrett Cleavinger earned his second save of the season on Wednesday in his team's 7-5 win over the Red Sox. Cleavinger gave up a home run to Caleb Durbin and issued a walk ot Isiah Kiner-Falefa, but he struck out Andruw Monasterio to end the game. Closer Bryan Baker had worked in each of the previous two games, earning back-to-back saves. Baker has a 1.98 ERA and 18 saves this season, tied for the second-most in the majors. Cleavinger isn't likely to supplant Baker anytime soon, barring injury, but he has been effective in a setup role and could earn an occasional save chance like this one. The 32-year-old lefty is 1-2 with a 4.70 ERA and 4.02 FIP across his 15 1/3 innings this season. Cleavinger can be useful in leagues that value setup stats, but he's best left for deep leagues, while Baker continues to be so effective.

Jun 11

Drew Rasmussen • SP • Rays

Drew Rasmussen Fans a Career-High 13 in Win Over Boston

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen was at his best on Wednesday at Tropicana Field in the team's 7-5 win over the division-rival Boston Red Sox. Rasmussen was dominant, tossing seven shutout innings with only two hits allowed, one walk, and a career-high 13 strikeouts to earn his sixth win of the season and lower his ERA on the year to 2.71. The 30-year-old veteran threw 66 of his 97 pitches for strikes and induced 20 swings and misses. Rasmussen is having a strong season for the first-place Rays, but he has been nearly unhittable of late, posting a 1.80 ERA, 0.64 WHIP, and 32:4 K:BB in 25 innings over his last four starts, putting up scoreless appearances in three of those outings. He'll be put to the test in his next scheduled start on the road against the defending World Series-champion Los Angeles Dodgers, but with the way he's been pitching of late, it's hard to recommend benching him. Rasmussen is no stranger to arm injuries, but when he's been healthy, he's been money for Tampa, posting an ERA under 3.00 in each of his four full seasons with the team.

Jun 10

Chandler Simpson • LF • Rays

Chandler Simpson Returns to Rays Lineup on Tuesday

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Chandler Simpson (thumb) is starting in left field and will hit in the three-hole for the Rays on Tuesday at Tropicana Field against the division-rival Boston Red Sox and left-hander Payton Tolle, according to MLB.com. Simpson returns to action after missing the last three games due to soreness in his left thumb. The 25-year-old former second-round pick in 2022 out of Georgia Institute of Technology is still searching for his first major-league home run after debuting in Tampa last season, but what he lacks in power, he makes up for in speed and contact abilities. Simpson will return to a .276/.312/.328 slash line with a .639 OPS, a league-leading four triples, 12 RBI, 14 stolen bases, and 30 runs scored in his 250 plate appearances and 61 games played in 2026. In DFS, Simpson is an easy fade against a left-hander, as he's hitting just .230 (17-for-74) against southpaws on the season. He has gone hitless in just three career at-bats against Tolle.

Jun 9

Jacob Melton • LF • Rays

Does Jacob Melton's Speed Make him a Stash Candidate?

Tampa Bay Rays outfield prospect Jacob Melton (ankle) should be nearing a rehab assignment and could be back at Triple-A Durham around mid-June or shortly thereafter. The Rays' fourth-ranked prospect has been out since suffering a Grade 2 left ankle sprain on April 22. After a rough 3-for-24 (.125) start to the year, the former second-round draft pick began to turn things around, going 12-for-41 (.293) with seven doubles, a triple, and an eye-opening 14 steals in 13 games. The left-handed slugger hit well enough at Triple-A in the Houston organization last year to earn himself a 32-game, 78-plate appearance major league debut, and although he went just 11-for-70 (.157), the speed was on full display, having tallied seven steals in his limited action. The 25-year-old's strikeout rate stood at a sky-high 40.2 percent earlier this season at Durham, so it is something he'll need to get under control before making it back to the majors, but the likelihood of a return to action soon and his ability to steal bases should put him back on fantasy managers' radar, though he hasn't reached stash-worthy status yet.

Jun 9

Griffin Jax • SP • Rays

Griffin Jax Remains a Deep-League Waiver-Wire Target After Resurgent Outing

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Griffin Jax put together a strong outing on Sunday against the Miami Marlins, striking out four across five scoreless innings. It was a much-needed bounce back for Jax, who was bludgeoned by the Detroit Tigers for six earned runs over four innings in his first start of June. Outside of the rough day against Detroit, Jax has performed well since being moved from the bullpen to the rotation in late April. The 31-year-old has allowed one earned run or fewer in six out of his eight starts and has gone at least five innings in three out of his last five appearances. Jax may not offer tremendous upside for fantasy managers, but he's steadied himself after a slow start to the year in the bullpen and could be a valuable deep-league streaming option as a starting pitcher.

Jun 8

Chandler Simpson • LF • Rays

Chandler Simpson Still Out With Thumb Injury on Monday

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Chandler Simpson (thumb) remains sidelined for Monday's series opener against the division-rival Boston Red Sox at Tropicana Field, according to MLB.com. Cedric Mullins is making another start in center field and will bat ninth for the Rays against Red Sox left-hander Connelly Early. Simpson will miss a third straight start due to a sore left thumb that has him considered day-to-day. Fantasy managers will need to check back on Tuesday to see if he's ready to return for Game 2 of the series. The speedy 25-year-old has yet to homer in 169 major-league games since debuting with the Rays in 2025, but he does have 58 stolen bases and provides elite speed on the basepaths. Simpson also makes a lot of contact at the plate and is hitting .276/.312/.328 with a .639 OPS, four doubles, a league-high four triples, 12 RBI, and 30 runs scored in his 60 games played in his first full year in the big leagues. Fantasy managers setting DFS lineups should stay away from Mullins in the lefty-on-lefty matchup.

Jun 8

Chandler Simpson • LF • Rays

Chandler Simpson Missing in Action Again Versus Miami

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Chandler Simpson (thumb) is not in the team's starting lineup for Sunday's series finale in Miami against the Marlins, per MLB.com. Cedric Mullins is making another start in center field for the Rays and is batting fifth against Marlins right-hander Sergio Alcantara. Simpson injured his left thumb in Friday's series opener in Miami and will sit out for a second straight game. Fantasy managers should consider the speedster to be day-to-day and check back on his status to see if he's available to play in Monday's series opener against the division-rival Boston Red Sox. The 25-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder still has not homered since debuting in the big leagues last year, but his elite speed makes up for it for fantasy managers. Simpson had 44 thefts a year ago and is up to 14 steals through 60 games and 250 plate appearances in 2026 while also batting .276 (64-for-232) with four doubles, a league-leading four triples, 12 RBI, and 30 runs scored for the Rays.

Jun 7

Chandler Simpson • LF • Rays

Chandler Simpson Sitting Out With Thumb Injury on Saturday

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Chandler Simpson (thumb) will take a seat on the bench to start Saturday's tilt on the road against the Miami Marlins, according to MLB.com. Cedric Mullins is starting in center field for the Rays and will bat sixth against Marlins right-hander Lake Bachar. Simpson will sit out after being removed early in Friday's ballgame in Miami due to discomfort in his left thumb. He's being considered day-to-day for now. The speedy 25-year-old is still searching for his first major-league home run after 168 games played, after debuting for the Rays in 2025. What he lacks in power, he makes up for in speed on the basepaths. Simpson had 44 stolen bases in 109 games played last year and is currently slashing .276/.309/.328 with a .637 OPS, 12 RBI, 14 stolen bases, and 30 runs scored in 59 games across 249 plate appearances in his sophomore season in 2026. Mullins has struggled in his first year in Tampa, going 34-for-181 (.188) with five homers, 18 RBI, 10 steals, 17 walks, and 36 K's in 207 plate appearances, but all five of his homers this season have come against right-handed pitchers.

Jun 6

Steven Matz • SP • Rays

Steven Matz Moves to the Bullpen

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Steven Matz will transition to the bullpen. The 35-year-old has struggled recently, allowing 11 runs over his last two starts while recording just 13 outs. As a result, the Rays will look to utilize him in shorter relief appearances as he works to regain his form. The left-hander has posted a 5.48 ERA across 46.0 innings over 10 starts this season. At this point, he is not expected to work in high-leverage situations or receive save opportunities. The Rays have yet to announce who will fill the vacant spot in the rotation.

Jun 6

Chandler Simpson • LF • Rays

Chandler Simpson Exits with Thumb Injury

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Chandler Simpson (thumb) was forced to make an early exit from Friday's game against the Miami Marlins. Simpson was removed mid-game due to left thumb discomfort. The severity of the injury is unknown right now, but the team should provide an update on his status soon. Before leaving, Simpson was hitless in two plate appearances. The expectation is that Victor Mesa Jr. and Ryan Vilade would have expanded roles if Simpson is forced to miss time. Fantasy managers should consider Simpson as day-to-day for now.

Jun 5

Brody Hopkins • RP • Rays

Is Brody Hopkins a Stash Candidate After Latest Outing?

Tampa Bay Rays pitching prospect Brody Hopkins' season-long stats for Triple-A Durham don't look so good on the surface (3.56 ERA, 5.00 FIP, 1.54 WHIP), but progress can be seen in his five May outings, where he pitched to a 1.77 ERA (3.89 FIP) and 1.38 WHIP while opponents hit just .143 against him. The main issue has been the walks, which have persisted even throughout May, as the right-hander carries a Triple-A-worst 20.2 percent walk rate (minimum 30 innings pitched), which has almost canceled out a solid 25.8 percent strikeout rate, giving him a paltry 5.6 K-BB% for the year, while he's also delivered the second-most wild pitches (eight) among Triple-A hurlers. A 35.8 percent whiff rate (88th percentile) shows what kind of swing-and-miss stuff the Rays' top pitching prospect has, and if he can get the command under control, there is plenty of strikeout upside there. The 24-year-old walked just one while striking out nine in his latest appearance, and if he can continue that trend, the Rays might find a role for him on the big league club later this season, and with his stuff, Hopkins could end up being a stash target for fantasy.

Jun 4

Chandler Simpson • LF • Rays

Chandler Simpson Back in Tuesday's Lineup Against Tigers

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Chandler Simpson (mouth) is starting in left field and batting out of the leadoff spot on Tuesday versus the visiting Detroit Tigers and right-hander Jack Flaherty, per MLB.com. Simpson was pulled from the series opener on Monday in Tampa early with a busted lip when his helmet came off and hit him in the face while he was running the bases. It obviously wasn't a very serious injury, and he's back in action a day later as the Rays' table-setter. The speedy 25-year-old will be more attractive in DFS formats in his return to the leadoff spot after spending the last four games in the five-hole. Simpson is still searching for his first home run in the majors after debuting in 2025, but he makes up for his lack of power with elite wheels. He stole 44 bags in 109 games played last year and has 14 steals and a league-high four triples in 56 games in 2026 in his sophomore campaign. Simpson is slashing .284/.318/.338 with a .656 OPS across his 239 plate appearances. He's gone hitless in just three career at-bats against Flaherty.

Jun 2

Chandler Simpson • LF • Rays

Chandler Simpson Exits Early on Monday Due to Mouth Laceration

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Chandler Simpson (mouth) was forced to exit early from his team's game against the Detroit Tigers on Monday after being struck in the mouth by his own helmet while sliding headfirst into second base, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Topkin reports that there was a "fair amount of blood." Simpson was one-for-two in the game before being pulled and is now hitting .284/.318/.338 with zero home runs, 12 RBI, 30 runs scored, and 14 stolen bases across 239 plate appearances so far in 2026. It seems unlikely that Simpson will be facing an extended absence, but the exact nature of his injury is currently unclear. Ryan Vilade took over for Simpson in left field on Monday and could be in line for more playing time while Simpson is sidelined.

Jun 1

Griffin Jax • SP • Rays

Griffin Jax a Priority Waiver Wire Target Amidst Success as a Starter?

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Griffin Jax got off to a rough start to the 2026 season, allowing eight runs across his first two innings (four games) of the year. However, Jax has been significantly better since Tampa Bay shifted him from the bullpen to the starting rotation in late April. Across 21 innings (six starts) since the role shift, Jax has recorded a 1.71 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with 17 strikeouts. The 31-year-old also worked five innings in two consecutive starts before being limited to two innings after getting hit in the back by a comebacker in his most recent outing. Now that Jax should be built up close to a regular starter's workload, the right-hander carries significant waiver wire appeal across most fantasy league formats.

Jun 1

Brody Hopkins • RP • Rays

Brody Hopkins a Top Pitcher to Stash in Fantasy Baseball?

Tampa Bay Rays pitching prospect Brody Hopkins was effective in his first relief outing of the year on Sunday. After starting each of his first 60 minor league appearances, Hopkins worked out of the bullpen this past weekend, giving the Durham Bulls five innings of relief work. He threw five scoreless and hitless innings, allowing one walk while striking out nine batters. So far this year, he owns a 3.56 ERA, 10.31 K/9, and 0.56 HR/9 over 11 outings. The bad news is that his FIP is significantly higher at 4.98, and his walk rate has ballooned to an outrageous 8.06 BB/9 clip. Hopkins isn't ready for the majors yet, but if he can cut down on walks, then his FIP will naturally come down, and his strikeout rate will allow him to be successful. When that happens, he'll be a candidate to make his MLB debut as a piece of the Rays' rotation. In turn, that would put him on the fantasy baseball radar. For now, he's a solid speculative stash in deep redraft leagues.

Jun 1

Tampa Bay Rays News

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