Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Taylor Walls (hip), who was moved to the 60-day injured list on April 20 after having right-hip surgery in the offseason, began a minor-league rehab assignment with the Rookie-level Florida Complex League on May 21 and went 2-for-17 with a homer, two walks and two strikeouts while playing five games at shortstop. He then joined Triple-A Durham on May 30 and went 2-for-6 with two doubles and played all nine innings at the 6. Manager Kevin Cash said that Walls felt "the best he's felt in a long time, so really encouraged by that." Walls said on Feb. 13 that he had been dealing with a "noticeable hip impingement" for more than a year, and it reached the point in the playoffs where he could barely swing a bat. When he's healthy enough to return, Walls will give the Rays another option at shortstop.
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Taylor Walls (hip) has started a spring training-type progression at the team's spring complex in Port Charlotte, Fla., which will take about two weeks before he starts getting into games. Manager Kevin Cash said the team received a "very good report" from Walls' visit with Dr. J.W. Thomas Byrd on April 1. But given the amount of time that Walls has missed, it's likely he'll have to recreate a progression similar to spring training when he returns to game action. He was transferred to the 60-day injured list on April 20 after having surgery on Oct. 27 of last year to fix a labral tear and to relieve discomfort from an impingement in his right hit. It's something that Walls had been dealing with for more than a year. It's unclear what Walls' role will be when he eventually returns to the majors, but it's likely to be a bench role.
Taylor Walls Taking 10-14 Days Off Due To Hip Inflammation
Tampa Bay Rays infielder Taylor Walls (hip) is taking 10 to 14 days off from baseball activities due to hip inflammation. The Rays moved Walls to the 60-day injured list over the weekend while he recovers from surgery on his right hip. There's no clear timetable for his return, with manager Kevin Cash saying on April 13 that Walls is "just not going as quick as maybe we had originally anticipated." Given the amount of time he has missed, it seems likely Walls will have to essentially recreate a progression similar to spring training whenever he gets back to game action. The 27-year-old had surgery on Oct. 27 to fix a labral tear in his right hip. He said he had been dealing with a "noticeable hip impingement" for more than a year. It would probably be a surprise if we saw Walls in the big leagues before June.
Taylor Walls Could Be Ready A Couple Weeks Into The Season
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Taylor Walls (hip) had surgery on Oct. 27 to fix a labral tear and relieve discomfort from an impingement in his right hip that he had been dealing with for more than a year. He spent eight weeks on crutches after the surgery but has since resumed baseball activities, working in the infield and taking swings off a tee. Walls has also been throwing and lifting weights and recently started training his running mechanics to test the range of motion in his hip. The 27-year-old is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day, but he could be ready two or three weeks into the regular season. Walls' status is of more importance since the Rays are unlikely to have Wander Franco in 2024, and perhaps ever again. The switch-hitting Walls isn't much to look at offensively besides some speed, and prospect Junior Caminero could take over sooner than later at shortstop.
Taylor Walls "Unlikely" To Be Ready For Opening Day
Tampa Bay Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander said it's "unlikely" shortstop Taylor Walls (hip) will be ready for Opening Day after having right-hip surgery this offseason. The Rays don't know what will happen with Wander Franco, who remains under investigation in the Dominican Republic. Jose Caballero, who was acquired in a trade with the Seattle Mariners, can play multiple positions and provides value with his defense, baserunning and willingness to find ways to get on base. Right now, Caballero looks like Tampa's Opening Day shortstop, which will put less pressure on Wall's rehab, young infielder Osleivis Basabe or top prospect Junior Caminero. The 27-year-old has little power to speak of but hit lefties well in 2023 and will be valuable in deeper mixed fantasy leagues for his speed.
The Tampa Bay Rays released a statement on Monday regarding infielder Taylor Walls (hip). It reads: "Taylor Walls underwent a surgical procedure on his right hip to relieve discomfort from an impingement and repair a labral tear. He is expected to return to participating in baseball activities in February. His readiness for Opening Day will be determined later in the rehab process once baseball activity is resumed and an accurate timeline can be established." Walls played in both of the team's wild-card game this year, but he might not be ready to go when the 2024 season kicks off. The 27-year-old hit just .201 (61-for-303) with eight home runs, 36 RBI, 22 stolen bases and 50 runs scored in 99 games in his third MLB season in 2023. When healthy next year, he should return to his role as a utility infielder in Tampa.
The Tampa Bay Rays reinstated infielder Taylor Walls from the paternity list on Monday and optioned infield prospect Tristan Gray to Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move. The Rays also recalled left-hander Jalen Beeks from Durham and optioned right-hander Chris Devenski to Durham in a corresponding move. Walls will continue to provide the Rays with a middle-infield option with Wander Franco unlikely to play until 2024 due to off-the-field issues. The 27-year-old has gone just 6-for-33 (.182) in 11 games (nine starts) in September with a homer, five RBI, 11 strikeouts, two stolen bases and seven runs scored. In his third big-league season, Walls is hitting just .207 (57-for-275) with eight homers, 11 doubles, two triples, 32 RBI, a career-high 22 stolen bases and 49 runs scored in 90 games.
Tampa Bay Rays infielder Taylor Walls (groin) has missed the past two games as he deals with groin soreness, according to the Tampa Bay Times. The 27-year-old was recently activated from the injured list after he suffered a left oblique strain and missed more than a month of action. Over 81 games this season, Walls owns a .216/.317/.360 slash line with seven homers, 44 runs, 28 RBI, and a career-high 21 stolen bases. Fantasy managers should consider the third-year player day-to-day, but he can be dropped in favor of a waiver wire add in most formats, despite his speed.
The Tampa Bay Rays reinstated infielder Taylor Walls (oblique) from the 10-day injured list and right-hander Kevin Kelly (ankle) from the 15-day injured list on Friday. Walls isn't in the team's starting lineup on Friday against the Cleveland Guardians, but he should at least split playing time at the 6 in Tampa with Osleivis Basabe for the rest of the season while Wander Franco remains on administrative leave. The 27-year-old has been on the shelf since late July with a left-oblique strain. For his speed alone (career-high 20 stolen bases), Walls might be worth a deep-mixed league pickup for the final month of the regular season. In 79 games (279 trips to the plate) this year, Walls is hitting .211 (51-for-242) with seven home runs, 27 RBI and 42 runs scored.
Tampa Bay Rays infielder Taylor Walls (oblique) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham on Tuesday. The 27-year-old could be activated as soon as Friday for the start of the team's three-game weekend series in Cleveland with the Guardians. Walls has been on the mend since July 22 due to a left oblique strain, but he seems to be on the cusp of a return. With Wander Franco on administrative leave, Walls has a pathway to an everyday role at shortstop for the Rays down the stretch. The switch-hitter had a ridiculous start to the campaign, but Walls slashed only .164/.278/.212 in his most recent 169 plate appearances since May 17. Still, the prospect of a regular role might be attractive enough for fantasy managers to give the speedy Walls a shot upon activation.
