Tampa Bay Rays Roster
- AL East
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- Tropicana Field
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco is hitting second for the club in their Opening Day contest versus the visiting Detroit Tigers. There was some worry late in camp the young phenom might not be ready to open the season on time after he dealt with right quad soreness but Franco is good to go for Thursday's opener. The 22-year-old's power continues to be developed, but he hit .277 with eight steals and a .745 OPS across 83 games in the 2021 campaign. Most impressively, Franco struck out in just 9.6% of his plate appearance as a 21-year-old big leaguer after punching out in just 12% of his plate appearances in the 2021 campaign. The plate discipline and contact skills are already elite while the power should ramp up some in the 2023 campaign.
Tampa Bay Rays right-handers Tyler Glasnow (oblique), Shane Baz (elbow) and Shawn Armstrong (neck) are all being placed on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday to begin the 2023 regular season. Glasnow is dealing with a Grade 2 strain of his left oblique and is expected to miss at least the first month of the season. However, the 29-year-old starter has resumed throwing on flat ground and needs to be stashed in all fantasy leagues. Health has been an issue for him, but when healthy, he has the upside of a fantasy ace. Baz had Tommy John surgery last September and won't pitch for the Rays in 2023. Armstrong doesn't have a timetable to return to the Rays bullpen after missing all of spring training due to a neck issue.
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco (quadriceps) said his right quad issue was more tightness than a strain, and it has responded well to treatment. "I feel good, thank God, and I'm ready to start on Thursday," Franco said. He was able to take swings in the batting cages on Monday after his MRI exam on Sunday didn't show anything serious. Barring a setback, the 22-year-old should be starting at shortstop on Opening Day on Thursday against the Detroit Tigers. When healthy, he should be in starting lineups in season-long fantasy leagues every day. Franco played in only 83 games in his second MLB season in 2022, slashing .277/.328/.417 with a .746 OPS, six home runs, 33 RBI, 46 runs and eight stolen bases in 344 plate appearances.
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco (quad) underwent an MRI exam on Sunday to find out the severity of his injury. The team announced that the results were favorable and Franco could be healthy enough to play on Opening Day. That is good news after Franco was forced to exit early on Saturday due to a right quad issue. It appears the switch-hitting infielder has avoided serious injury. He might not be ready for Opening Day, but Franco shouldn't need a stint on the injured list. Fantasy managers should check back for another update later in the week.
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow (oblique) is throwing on flat ground at 75 feet on Sunday in camp. Glasnow suffered a Grade 2 left oblique strain around a month ago, and his initially timetable for recovery was set at six to eight weeks. The 29-year-old right-hander will have to gradually build his arm back after missing spring training, and if he can avoid any setbacks along the way, he could be able to make his 2023 season debut sometime in May. While Glasnow's fantasy stock has fallen due to the injury -- keep in mind he's also trying to return after having Tommy John surgery in 2021 -- he still has the potential to be a fantasy ace when he's fully healthy. But some fantasy managers may prefer to avoid him altogether since he's never thrown more than 140 innings in a single season.
