Tampa Bay Rays News

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Griffin Jax • SP • Rays

Griffin Jax Suffers Back Contusion on Saturday

The Tampa Bay Rays are saying that right-hander Griffin Jax (back) was removed from his appearance in Saturday's win over the Philadelphia Phillies due to a lower-back contusion, according to the Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin. Jax only made it three innings during his start at Citizens Bank Park, but he did not allow a run while giving up only two hits, walking none, and striking out one batter to lower his season ERA to 3.53. The 31-year-old veteran took a 104 mph liner off the bat of shortstop Trea Turner off his back in the third inning, and the Rays were not going to take any chances with Griffin. Manager Kevin Cash and Jax said after the game that he is not expected to miss any time, which means he should be available for the start of the American League Division Series against an undetermined opponent on Oct. 3. Jax finishes his first full season in Tampa with an 8-10 record, 3.53 ERA (3.76 FIP) and 1.17 WHIP with a career-high 116 strikeouts and 35 walks in 112 1/3 innings across 34 outings (23 starts). He began the 2026 season as Tampa's primary ninth-inning arm before making a successful transition to the rotation.

2 days ago

Chandler Simpson • LF • Rays

Chandler Simpson Unlikely to Play Until ALDS

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Chandler Simpson (foot) said on Saturday afternoon that his right foot was "just a little sore" from Friday's foul ball, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Simpson did not play in the team's win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday and likely will not play in the regular-season finale on Sunday "to take precautions." He is fully confident that he will be good to go for the American League Division Series opener on Oct. 3. The Rays pulled the 25-year-old speedster from Friday's game early after he fouled a ball off his foot in the sixth inning. Simpson will end his 2026 season with a strong .306/.333/.356 slash line with a .689 OPS, zero home runs, 38 RBI, a league-leading 46 stolen bases, and 66 runs scored in 151 games played across 612 plate appearances in only his second season in the majors. Hopefully for the Rays, Simpson's foot injury does not impact his ability to run once the ALDS kicks off late next week.

2 days ago

Chandler Simpson • LF • Rays

Chandler Simpson Sitting Out With Foot Injury

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Chandler Simpson (foot) is not in the team's starting lineup for Saturday's game in Philadelphia against the Phillies, per MLB.com. Victor Mesa Jr. is starting in left field for the Rays and is batting fifth against Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola. The Rays are being cautious with the speedster, giving him a day off in Game 2 of the series at Citizens Bank Park after Simpson fouled a ball off his right foot during the win on Friday night. The Rays already have a first-round bye locked up in the American League, so Simpson will have plenty of time to heal before the start of the AL Division Series. If the 25-year-old does not play in the regular-season finale on Sunday, he will finish his second big-league season in 2026 with a very nice .306/.333/.356 slash line, .689 OPS, zero home runs, 38 RBI, and 66 runs scored across 151 games and 612 plate appearances. Simpson has no power to speak of, but he leads the league with 46 stolen bases after swiping 44 bags as a rookie in 2025. His speed in the outfield and on the basepaths is a game-changer for the first-place Rays.

3 days ago

Chandler Simpson • LF • Rays

Chandler Simpson Exits with Foot Injury

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Chandler Simpson (foot) was forced to make an early exit during Friday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Marc Topkin reports. Simpson sustained an injury after fouling a ball off his foot in the sixth inning. He attempted to stay in the game, but he was pulled in the seventh inning. He was hitless during his three plate appearances during the victory over the Phillies. The expectation is that he'll undergo imaging to determine the severity of the injury. For now, Simpson should be considered day-to-day until more information is known.

3 days ago

Xavier Isaac • 1B • Rays

Xavier Isaac Caps Off Minor-League Season With Good Showing at Durham

Tampa Bay Rays first base prospect Xavier Isaac had a good minor league season at age 22 and closed it off well with a good stint at Triple-A Durham. Called up to Durham from Double-A Montgomery on August 25, Isaac played 18 games with the Durham Bulls down the stretch. He finished that stint with three homers and eight RBI in 59 at bats with a .271 batting average and 11 runs scored. Altogether between Montgomery and Durham, Isaac combined to hit .258 with 27 homers and 79 RBI to go with 20 stolen bases and 88 runs scored. Isaac is the No. 18 prospect in the Rays system and looks like he could be ready for a role on the 2027 Rays team. Isaac appears to be a promising talent with 60-grade power, but just a 35-grade hit tool. He could be a good homer and RBI threat but leave something to be desired in the batting average category.

4 days ago

Theo Gillen • CF • Rays

Theo Gillen Shows Off Multi-Category Potential in 2026

Tampa Bay Rays outfield prospect Theo Gillen recorded a strong 2026 season, one that began at High-A and finished at Double-A. The Rays' second-ranked prospect was promoted to Double-A after 57 games at High-A, and despite a dip in batting average from .342 to .288, he did not appear to be overmatched. The former first-rounder's strikeout rate actually improved there, from 23.8 percent to 19.8 percent, while his walk rate remained steady. All in all, the 6-foot-2 slugger slashed .315/.419/.546 with 22 home runs and 44 steals in 116 games and moved all the way up to No. 12 on MLB.com's top prospects list. His type of all-around skill set makes the left-handed hitter a valuable dynasty asset, and he'll have his sights set on Triple-A next year. Once he's knocking on the door to the major leagues, which could be as soon as later next season, even redraft managers should be keeping a close eye on him.

5 days ago

Shane McClanahan • SP • Rays

Shane McClanahan Will Not Pitch in ALDS

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said that left-hander Shane McClanahan (forearm) is "not in play" for the team's American League Division Series roster, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. McClanahan has been sidelined since early September with left forearm tightness. While Cash did not rule McClanahan out if Tampa Bay advances past the ALDS, it appears the 29-year-old's return is not imminent. Injuries are nothing new for McClanahan, who missed all of 2024 and 2025 due to elbow and triceps issues. He was productive when healthy in 2026, recording a 10-7 record with a 3.36 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 106 strikeouts across 118 innings (24 starts). If McClanahan is able to return at some point in October, it seems likely that he would work out of the bullpen rather than attempting to build up as a starter.

5 days ago

Shane McClanahan • SP • Rays

Shane McClanahan Won't Return During Regular Season

Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Shane McClanahan (forearm) will not return to pitch this week for the final week of the 2026 regular season, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Manager Kevin Cash said that McClanahan had a "good" throwing session on Friday, but he has been out since Sept. 4 with tightness in his left forearm, and he has run out of time to return to the major-league roster before the end of September. All in all, the 29-year-old two-time All-Star had a positive season in his return from Tommy John surgery that kept him out for each of the last two seasons. McClanahan ended up making 24 starts (118 innings) for the Rays this year and went 10-7 with a 3.36 ERA (3.50 FIP) and 1.12 WHIP with 106 strikeouts and 39 walks. The Rays are still hoping that McClanahan can return for their postseason run next month, but because he does not have time to get all the way built back up as a starter, he is expected to pitch out of the bullpen for Tampa in October.

Sep 21

Victor Mesa Jr. • RF • Rays

Victor Mesa Jr. Emerging as a Priority Waiver Wire Target

Across 223 plate appearances in 2026, Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Victor Mesa Jr. is hitting .257/.326/.510 with 13 home runs, 30 RBI, 32 runs scored, and nine stolen bases. The 25-year-old has been scorching hot in September, hitting .450 with three home runs and three stolen bases across 44 trips to the plate. The lefty-swinging Mesa Jr. has seen most of his playing time this year against right-handed pitching, but he's begun to see everyday playing time in the midst of his current hot streak. Mesa Jr.'s underlying metrics suggest that some slight regression might be coming, but he's still posted an 11.4% barrel rate while keeping his strikeout rate below 20%. With his ability to produce across all five categories, Mesa Jr. profiles as a priority waiver wire target going into the final stretch of the 2026 season.

Sep 15

Shane McClanahan • SP • Rays

Shane McClanahan has a "Long Way to Go" Before Returning

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said that left-hander Shane McClanahan (forearm) has resumed playing catch, but that he still has a "long way to go" before being reinstated from the 15-day injured list, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. The Rays probably are not going to rush McClanahan back, so there is merely a small chance that he will make it back before the end of September. The 29-year-old southpaw has been sidelined since earlier this month with tightness in his left forearm. The Rays' primary goal is most likely to have McClanahan available as either a starter or a reliever for the start of the postseason in October. McClanahan missed all of 2024 and 2025 due to Tommy John surgery, but he returned this year and has made 24 starts (118 innings), going 10-7 with a 3.36 ERA (3.50 FIP) and 1.12 WHIP with 106 strikeouts and 39 walks. Getting him back as a starter for the postseason would be huge for the Rays, but fantasy managers should not expect anything else out of him in 2026 in what has been a successful return from elbow surgery.

Sep 15

Brody Hopkins • RP • Rays

Rays Calling Up Top Pitching Prospect Brody Hopkins

The Tampa Bay Rays are calling up right-handed pitching prospect Brody Hopkins to the big leagues from Triple-A Durham on Saturday, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Per MLB Pipeline, Hopkins, 24, is ranked as Tampa's No. 7 overall prospect and their top pitching prospect. The former sixth-round selection by the Seattle Mariners in 2023 from Winthrop University has gone 4-8 this year for the Bulls with a 5.17 ERA, 1.71 WHIP, and 122:92 K:BB in 94 innings across 31 appearances (19 starts). The numbers obviously do not look great on the surface, but Hopkins had been pitching great recently for Durham in a relief role, where he will likely continue in his first taste of the major leagues. Hopkins gets the call to Tampa after throwing six straight shutout innings out of the bullpen at Triple-A, and he will look to stay hot with the Rays. For fantasy purposes, Hopkins should be ignored in single-year formats with the regular season wrapping up at the end of September.

Sep 12

Shane McClanahan • SP • Rays

Shane McClanahan Plays "Light" Catch on Friday

Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Shane McClanahan (forearm) played "light" catch on Friday and is expected to return after a short stint on the injured list, according to MLB.com. McClanahan exited his start on Sept. 3 with tightness in his left forearm after the fifth inning and was placed on the 15-day IL a day later. If he does not suffer any setbacks as he continues to ramp up his arm, he could return to Tampa's starting rotation by late September. It is good news for the Rays as they look to get the 29-year-old southpaw back fully healthy for the start of the playoffs in October, but for fantasy purposes, McClanahan is not going to help anyone the rest of the year. The two-time All-Star had a successful comeback from Tommy John surgery in 2026, going 10-7 in his 24 starts (118 innings pitched) while posting a 3.36 ERA (3.50 FIP) and 1.12 WHIP with 106 strikeouts and 39 walks. The Rays will be hoping that he can put his forearm issue behind him and help them to a lengthy run in this year's playoffs next month.

Sep 12

Emmanuel Rodriguez • CF • Twins |

Manuel Rodríguez • RP • Rays

Twins to Promote Outfield Prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez

The Minnesota Twins are calling up outfield prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez to the major leagues on Saturday from Triple-A St. Paul, according to Milb Central. Considered the Twins' fifth overall prospect, Rodriguez earns the call to the big leagues this weekend after hitting .262/.414/.500 with a .914 OPS, 11 home runs, 33 RBI, 36 runs scored, and seven stolen bases in 49 games across 220 plate appearances with the Saints this year. He could have an opportunity to see some playing time in the final couple of weeks of the 2026 season in Minnesota, although he most likely will not see everyday playing time, even though Byron Buxton will miss the rest of the year because of season-ending hip surgery. The 5-foot-11, 210-pound Rodriguez has played all three outfield positions in the minors and has impressive raw power from the left side of the plate. Rodriguez also has some nice plate discipline and should eventually get on base at a nice clip, but his swing-and-miss tendencies mean he probably will not help in the batting-average department. He is currently rostered in only 1% of Yahoo leagues and is unlikely to make a huge fantasy impact upon his big-league call-up.

Sep 12

Xavier Isaac • 1B • Rays

Xavier Isaac Showing Off Skills at Triple-A Durham

Tampa Bay Rays first base prospect Xavier Isaac is 22 years old and progressing nicely through the minor leagues. His latest stop is at Triple-A Durham where he already has three homers and four RBI in 11 games and is hitting .308. Isaac spent most of the season at Double-A Montgomery where he hit .255 with 24 homers and 71 RBI in 99 games. The left-handed hitter is the No. 18 prospect of the Rays and has 60-grade power and 45-grade speed, but just a 35-grade hit tool. It looks like Isaac could be a detriment to the overall batting average of fantasy teams. But the power appears to be a plus and makes him worthy of a dynasty format stash. It could be a year or two before he makes his MLB debut but fantasy managers will still want to get a hold of him in dynasty leagues.

Sep 11

Theo Gillen • CF • Rays

Theo Gillen Is Adjusting Nicely To Life at Double-A

Tampa Bay Rays outfield prospect Theo Gillen has fared well at Double-A Montgomery since his promotion in mid-July, hitting .287 with 10 homers and 46 RBI with 43 runs scored and 16 stolen bases. Gillen has showed off all his skills at his new level of the minors and continued to be a big threat on the base paths after he had already stolen 28 bases for High-A Bowling Green, giving him 44 total stolen bases this season. The 20-year-old, left-handed hitter is the No. 2 overall prospect for the Rays and has a 55-grade hit tool with 55-grade power and 60-grade speed. The overall skill-set is elite for Gillen, but it still could be a few years before he makes his impact at the MLB level. Nonetheless, dynasty league managers will want to claim Gillen and wait for his five-tool skill set to hit the major-league level.

Sep 11

Drew Rasmussen • SP • Rays

Drew Rasmussen Profiles as Impact Starting Pitcher in the Final Weeks

Across 153 1/3 innings (27 starts) in 2026, Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Drew Rasmussen has recorded a 14-5 record with a 2.88 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and 156 strikeouts. The 31-year-old battled through a brief rough patch in the middle of the season, allowing 13 earned runs across 19 1/3 innings in July. However, Rasmussen has gotten back to dominance since the All-Star break, recording a 2.17 ERA with 58 strikeouts across his last 54 innings pitched. Rasmussen has posted a stellar 26.1% strikeout rate for the season while also logging an elite 4.5% walk rate. With his standout command, the veteran right-hander profiles as one of the most reliable sources of high-end WHIP for fantasy managers. Rasmussen has also proven an ability to go deeper into games this season, going at least six full innings in six of his last eight starts. Ahead of the final few weeks of 2026, Rasmussen should be viewed by fantasy managers as a high-end starting pitcher option.

Sep 10

Yandy Díaz • DH • Rays

Yandy Diaz Remains an Elite Batting-Average Asset

Across 615 plate appearances in 2026, Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Yandy Diaz is hitting .305/.372/.467 with 21 home runs, 77 RBI, 83 runs scored, and three stolen bases. Even at 35 years old, Diaz remains one of the most reliable hitters in baseball. He consistently hits the ball hard (48.1% hard-hit rate) while also avoiding swing-and-miss (14.1% strikeout rate), which makes him a high-end batting average asset for fantasy managers. Diaz is also the everyday leadoff hitter in Tampa Bay, which gives him a chance to top 90 runs and RBI in 2026. The veteran slugger is off to a scorching hot start to September, hitting .400 with two home runs and five extra-base hits across his first 33 plate appearances this month. As long as he stays healthy the rest of the way, Diaz should continue to provide excellent four-category production for fantasy managers.

Sep 9

Emmanuel Rodriguez • CF • Twins |

Manuel Rodríguez • RP • Rays

Emmanuel Rodriguez Could Be Sneaky Late-Season Stash

Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez is hitting for power in his limited action at Triple-A St. Paul this season. In 45 games at Triple-A, Rodriguez has 11 homers and 31 RBI but is hitting just .252. Rodriguez has battled a bad thumb injury this season, which has limited his game time, but the power in his bat has shown. The 23-year-old left-handed hitter is the No. 5 prospect in the Twins system and has a 45-grade hit tool with 55-grade power and speed. Rodriguez also has seven stolen bases in his little game time this season. Rodriguez has some work to do on his overall hitting and is a batting-average risk for fantasy, but his power-speed combination is real. The Twins have already called up top prospects Walker Jenkins and Kaelen Culpepper, so they might elect to keep Rodriguez in the minors the rest of this season. But if they do look his way for a promotion, he could have some late impact on the fantasy season.

Sep 6

Bryan Baker • RP • Rays

Bryan Baker Pulled Early Friday, "Nothing Physical"

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said that right-handed closer Bryan Baker (illness) was pulled from his outing early on Friday against the Texas Rangers with an illness and is dealing with "nothing physical," according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Baker was brought in for the ninth in a save situation and allowed an earned run on two walks without recording an out before he was replaced by Tyler Wells, who hung on for his sixth save of the season in the 7-6 win in Texas. The 31-year-old Baker might not be available for the rest of the weekend series against the Rangers, but it is unlikely that he will need a stint on the injured list, which is great news for fantasy managers. The former 11th-round pick by the Colorado Rockies in 2016 from North Florida came out of nowhere in 2026 to be an elite source of saves. Baker, a first-time All-Star this year, came into Friday's outing with a 1.47 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, a league-leading 39 saves, 60 strikeouts, and 18 walks in 55 innings pitched. Before this season, Baker had four saves in five MLB campaigns with the Rays, Orioles, and Blue Jays. Consider him day-to-day going into Saturday.

Sep 5

Shane McClanahan • SP • Rays

Shane McClanahan Lands on Injured List With Forearm Tightness

The Tampa Bay Rays announced on Friday that they placed left-hander Shane McClanahan (forearm) on the 15-day injured list with tightness in his left forearm and recalled right-hander Alex Cook from Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move. Because of the timing of his injury, McClanahan is unlikely to pitch again for the Rays in the regular season, and he might not be available in the postseason either. The move comes after the southpaw struggled in his most recent start on Thursday against the Texas Rangers, when he allowed four earned runs in just five innings pitched. The 29-year-old two-time All-Star will head to the shelf for the second time this year with a 10-7 record, 3.36 ERA (3.49 FIP), and 1.12 WHIP with 106 strikeouts and 39 walks in 118 innings across his 24 starts. All things considered, it was a successful campaign for McClanahan after missing all of the 2024 and 2025 seasons due to arm injuries. It is concerning that he is dealing with another forearm injury, but hopefully it is nothing serious and he can avoid going under the knife. Stay tuned for an update on his condition.

Sep 4

Tampa Bay Rays News

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