| News |
|---|
|
Cole Sulser Cole Sulser Escapes with win Saturday
Sat, Apr 11, 2026, 10:02 PM
Sulser (1-0) recorded the win Saturday against the Yankees, allowing one unearned run on one hit and no walks in the 10th inning.
Analysis: The Rays essentially used all of their other available high-leverage arms earlier in the game, which left them with Sulser to try and keep the game tied at 3-3 in the 10th inning. Jose Caballero single to drive in the automatic runner, so Sulser's ERA was unharmed. The right-hander has a 4.15 ERA, 1.73 WHIP and 7:4 K:BB with no holds or save chances over 8.2 innings. |
|
Bryan Baker Bryan Baker Charged with first blown save
Sat, Apr 11, 2026, 9:17 PM
Baker took a blown save Saturday against the Yankees, allowing two runs on two hits and one walk in one-third of an inning.
Analysis: Called upon to protect a 3-1 lead in the eighth inning, Baker was victimized by a Jose Caballero double that plated a pair of runs to tie up the game. The right-hander had been gaining steam as Tampa Bay's favorite for saves, having successfully converted each of the club's prior two save chances, but the Rays' closer committee is likely to remain in a state of flux until someone separates from the pack. Through six frames, Baker owns a 4.50 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 7:1 K:BB. |
|
Nick Martinez Nick Martinez Contains Yankees in no-decision
Sat, Apr 11, 2026, 8:53 PM
Martinez didn't factor into the decision Saturday against the Yankees, allowing one run on five hits and three walks in 4.2 innings. He struck out four.
Analysis: Martinez danced around plenty of trouble Saturday, working only one clean inning on the evening. The long ball remained an issue for the right-hander as well, as Martinez has now served up one home run in each of his first three starts of the season. Even so, Martinez has allowed two runs or fewer in each start en route to posting a 2.16 ERA and 0.96 WHIP across 16.2 frames, and he should be worthy of deep-league streaming consideration against the Pirates next weekend. |
|
Gavin Lux Gavin Lux Pulled from minor-league rehab game
Sat, Apr 11, 2026, 7:35 PM
Lux (shoulder) was removed from Saturday's rehab appearance with Triple-A Durham, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Lux hit a grounder to second in the fifth inning and appeared to get injured while running to first base. He exited with a trainer, but it's not immediately clear what issue he's dealing with. Lux has been recovering from a right shoulder impingement and had been nearing the end of a rehab assignment, as Saturday marked his eighth appearance with the Triple-A club. |
|
Chandler Simpson Chandler Simpson Riding pine Saturday
Sat, Apr 11, 2026, 1:25 PM
Simpson is not in the Rays' starting lineup against the Yankees on Saturday.
Analysis: The Yankees are deploying southpaw Max Fried to the mound for Saturday's contest, so the lefty-hitting Simpson will take a seat while Ryan Vilade starts in left field and bats second. Simpson has reached base safely in each of his 13 outings this season and has a .373/.407/.412 slash line with five steals (in seven attempts), five runs, one triple and three RBI across 54 plate appearances. |
|
Drew Rasmussen Drew Rasmussen Moved to FME list
Sat, Apr 11, 2026, 1:09 PM
The Rays transferred Rasmussen (personal) from the paternity list to the family medical emergency list Saturday.
Analysis: The move gives Rasmussen the option of spending an extra day away from the team, though he's still slated to start in Sunday's series finale against the Yankees, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Jesse Scholtens was recalled from Triple-A Durham to replenish the Rays' rotation after Joe Boyle (elbow) was placed on the 15-day IL, and he could start Sunday if Rasmussen is not available. |
|
Jesse Scholtens Jesse Scholtens Back with Tampa Bay
Sat, Apr 11, 2026, 1:04 PM
The Rays recalled Scholtens from Triple-A Durham on Saturday.
Analysis: Scholtens was called up by the Rays on Wednesday to serve in a long-relief role against the Cubs the same day, and he allowed four hits and one walk while striking out four across 4.2 scoreless innings. He was optioned to the minors Thursday, but he's back with the big club after Joe Boyle (elbow) was placed on the 15-day injured list. Scholtens has starting experience between the minors and majors and could see some spot starts in Tampa Bay's rotation for as long as Boyle is sidelined. |
|
Joe Boyle Joe Boyle Lands on 15-day IL
Sat, Apr 11, 2026, 12:58 PM
The Rays placed Boyle on the 15-day injured list Saturday, retroactive to Friday, due to a right elbow strain.
Analysis: Boyle likely picked up the injury during Wednesday's start against the Cubs, when he took the loss after allowing six runs (five earned) on four hits and three walks while striking out three across 4.1 innings. An MRI revealed a minor strain and some inflammation but no structural damage, and Rays manager Kevin Cash relayed to reporters Saturday that Boyle's placement on the 15-day IL is a "cautionary" move, per Ryan Bass of Rays.tv. Boyle is eligible to be activated off the IL in late April, though he'll undergo further tests to determine the severity of the injury and establish an estimated timeline to return. In a corresponding move, the Rays recalled right-hander Jesse Scholtens from Triple-A Durham. |
|
Chandler Simpson Chandler Simpson Overcomes fielding blunder
Fri, Apr 10, 2026, 9:45 PM
Simpson went 1-for-5 with two RBI during the Rays' 5-3 win over the Yankees on Friday.
Analysis: Although he wasn't credited with the error, Simpson's fielding gaff in the first inning resulted in an RBI triple for Amed Rosario to give the Yankees a 2-0 lead. Simpson made up for his mistake with RBI in the second and sixth inning on a fielder's choice and a single, respectively. He has recorded a hit in 12 of the first 13 games of the regular season and is slashing .373/.407/.412 with five steals (in seven attempts), one triple and three RBI over 54 plate appearances. |
|
Bryan Baker Bryan Baker Collects second save of 2026
Fri, Apr 10, 2026, 9:34 PM
Baker earned the save in Friday's 5-3 win over the Yankees, allowing two hits while striking out one batter in a scoreless ninth inning. He did not issue a walk.
Analysis: Baker got the call to the mound for the ninth inning to protect the Rays' two-run lead. He gave up back-to-back singles to open the frame before the two runners advanced to second and third on a fielder's choice, but Baker was able to escape with the save unscathed after striking out Randal Grichuk and getting Trent Grisham to pop out. Baker has collected two saves and a win over his last three outings and has allowed one run on three hits while striking out seven across five innings to open the season. |
|
Yandy Diaz Yandy Diaz Cracks third homer of 2026
Fri, Apr 10, 2026, 9:21 PM
Diaz went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer during Friday's 5-3 win over the Yankees.
Analysis: Diaz tied the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the first inning after smacking a two-run homer to right-center field off Luis Gil. It was Diaz's third home run of the season and second since April 1, and he has five multi-hit games early on in 2026. He has gone 19-for-51 (.373) with nine runs scored, 12 RBI and one steal through 13 regular-season games. |
|
Steven Matz Steven Matz Picks up third win of 2026
Fri, Apr 10, 2026, 9:19 PM
Matz (3-0) earned the win against the Yankees on Friday, allowing two runs on two hits and two walks while striking out seven across five innings.
Analysis: Matz yielded two runs in the first inning, but he kept the Yankees off the board the rest of the way despite allowing two baserunners in both the fourth and fifth frames. He induced only one groundout but also generated 16 whiffs on 88 pitches (57 strikes). He has struck out 15 batters over his last two outings (11 innings) and has posted a 2.45 ERA and 0.73 WHIP in that span. Matz is slated to start next week on the road against the White Sox. |
|
Ryan Pepiot Ryan Pepiot Throws live batting practice
Fri, Apr 10, 2026, 3:58 PM
Pepiot (hip) threw a live batting practice session Friday, John Romano of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: It's the first time Pepiot has faced hitters since he landed on the 15-day injured list just before Opening Day with right hip inflammation. Pepiot is expected to require at least one rehab start before rejoining the Rays' rotation, so it would be a push for him to make it back next week. That said, a season debut before the end of April for the right-hander is doable. |
|
Drew Rasmussen Drew Rasmussen Lined up to start Sunday
Fri, Apr 10, 2026, 3:14 PM
Rasmussen (paternity) is tentatively slated to rejoin the Rays' rotation Sunday versus the Yankees, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Analysis: Rasmussen remains on the paternity leave list, but the hope is that he will be ready to go for Sunday's series finale. If that happens, Shane McClanahan would be pushed back to Tuesday against the White Sox following the team's off day Monday. Rasmussen has permitted two runs with a 10:1 K:BB over his first 10 innings this season. |
|
Jake Fraley Jake Fraley Not in Friday's lineup
Fri, Apr 10, 2026, 2:58 PM
Fraley is absent from the lineup for Friday's contest against the Yankees.
Analysis: Right-hander Luis Gil will be getting the ball for the Yankees, but the left-handed-hitting Fraley will nonetheless begin the game on the bench. Righty Jonny DeLuca will patrol right field and hit sixth for the Rays. |
|
Chandler Simpson Chandler Simpson Ascends to leadoff spot
Fri, Apr 10, 2026, 2:42 PM
Simpson will start in left field and bat leadoff in Friday's game versus the Yankees.
Analysis: Simpson spent some time in the leadoff spot for the Rays last season, but this is the first time this year that he's sitting atop the batting order. The speedster earned a move up by slashing .391/.429/.435 with five stolen bases over his first 49 plate appearances this season. Yandy Diaz -- who had hit leadoff in the Rays' first 12 games -- is in the cleanup spot. |
|
Joe Rock Joe Rock Joins big-league bullpen
Fri, Apr 10, 2026, 11:23 AM
The Rays recalled Rock from Triple-A Durham on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Rock was off to an erratic start at Durham, yielding five runs with a 4:5 K:BB and two hit-by-pitches in 2.1 frames. He pitched well during his brief time with the Rays last season, however, permitting two runs with an 11:2 K:BB over 7.2 innings. The left-hander will give manager Kevin Cash a fresh bullpen option. |
|
Drew Rasmussen Drew Rasmussen May return to mound Saturday
Thu, Apr 9, 2026, 8:56 PM
Rasmussen is not expected to start until Saturday, at the earliest, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Rasmussen is currently away from the Rays while on the paternity list, and the squad will turn to Steven Matz on the bump in Friday's series opener against the Yankees. The team optioned Jesse Scholtens to Triple-A Durham on Thursday, per Ryan Bass of Rays.tv, and will add another reliever Friday before Rasmussen is activated in the near future. The right-hander appears to be an option for Saturday's matchup against New York, but nothing is set in stone quite yet. |
|
Jesse Scholtens Jesse Scholtens Optioned to Durham
Thu, Apr 9, 2026, 1:29 PM
The Rays optioned Scholtens to Triple-A Durham on Thursday, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Analysis: The 32-year-old righty was recalled from Triple-A on Wednesday to give Tampa Bay an extra bullpen arm while Drew Rasmussen was away on paternity leave. Scholtens delivered a strong performance with the Rays, firing 4.2 shutout innings against the Cubs on Wednesday, but his stint in the majors will last just 24 hours, suggesting that Rasmussen will rejoin the team to start against the Yankees on Friday. |
|
Chandler Simpson Chandler Simpson Records fifth steal
Wed, Apr 8, 2026, 10:35 PM
Simpson went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in Wednesday's 6-2 loss to the Cubs.
Analysis: Simpson has hit safely in 11 of 12 games so far this season, and he's been in the starting lineup for every game after being on the bench Opening Day. He's bounced around the lineup but has seemingly settled into the No. 5 hole over the last three games, though he could hit lower in the lineup if he gets consistent time against southpaws. So far, he's earned the starting job in left field, batting .391 with five stolen bases, one triple, one home run and five runs scored over 49 plate appearances. He hasn't hit a home run in his career, so he's purely a speed option in fantasy. Simpson stole 44 bases on 56 attempts as a rookie in 2025. |
Connect With Us:
