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Griffin Jax Griffin Jax Day-to-day with back bruise
Tue, May 26, 2026, 7:32 PM
Jax was diagnosed with a back contusion following his removal from Tuesday's game against Baltimore, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Jax was hit on the back by a 107.2-mph line drive in the second inning and was pulled when the Rays took the field for the third. His diagnosis suggests that he didn't suffer any structural damage as a result of the incident. However, the team will likely keep an eye on him over the next couple of days before confirming him for his next start -- tentatively slated to come against the Tigers on Monday. |
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Griffin Jax Griffin Jax Early exit Tuesday
Tue, May 26, 2026, 6:30 PM
Jax was removed from Tuesday's game against the Orioles after getting hit by a comebacker, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Jax took a 107.2-mph line drive off his back during the second inning of Tuesday's contest. He remained in the game immediately afterward and was able to finish the inning, but the Rays replaced him on the mound in the third. He'll presumably undergo testing to determine the severity of the damage done, and the Rays could have an update on his status in the near future. |
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Austin Slater Austin Slater Inks minors deal with Rays
Tue, May 26, 2026, 6:02 PM
Slater signed a minor-league contract with the Rays on Tuesday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
Analysis: Slater elected free agency Sunday after being DFA'd by the Mets, and he'll now have a chance to redeem himself in the Rays organization. The 33-year-old outfielder has slashed just .209/.286/.233 through 49 plate appearances in the majors this season, so he will likely need to show improvement at Triple-A Durham before the Rays give him another look in the big leagues. |
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Taylor Walls Taylor Walls Scratched from lineup
Tue, May 26, 2026, 4:39 PM
Walls was scratched from the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Orioles due to left hamstring tightness, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: The Rays are viewing Walls as day-to-day, so although he won't be able to start Tuesday's contest, he doesn't seem to be at risk of missing extended time. Oliver Dunn will enter the starting nine to cover for Walls at shortstop. |
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Casey Legumina Casey Legumina Strong start with new team
Tue, May 26, 2026, 1:05 PM
Legumina allowed two hits and no walks in two scoreless innings of relief Monday against the Orioles. He struck out two.
Analysis: After posting a 4.63 ERA and 1.54 WHIP over 11.2 innings for the Mariners, the 28-year-old right-hander has been more effective since being acquired by the Rays in late April. Over 10 frames since joining Tampa Bay's bullpen, Legumina has a 1.80 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 6:3 K:BB with one hold, while working mostly as a middle reliever. |
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Craig Kimbrel Craig Kimbrel Gets MLB deal from Rays
Tue, May 26, 2026, 11:42 AM
The Rays signed Kimbrel to a one-year contract Tuesday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Kimbrel elected free agency Monday after being removed from the Mets' 40-man roster, and he's managed to quickly land another major-league contract. Slated to turn 38 on Thursday, Kimbrel posted a 6.00 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 15:6 K:BB over 15 innings with the Mets. The Rays are often able to work magic with pitchers and see something with Kimbrel they might be able to tap into, but he's nevertheless a long shot to produce fantasy value in Tampa Bay. |
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Jesse Scholtens Jesse Scholtens Surrenders walk-off homer
Tue, May 26, 2026, 9:52 AM
Scholtens was charged with a blown save and dropped to 5-3 on the season in Monday's 9-7 loss to the Orioles in 13 innings after yielding five runs (three earned) on four hits across 1.1 frames. He struck out one batter.
Analysis: Monday marked the shortest outing of the season for Scholtens, who had covered at least three innings in each of his previous eight appearances while serving as a starter or bulk reliever. He entered the game in the bottom of the 12th and was unable to protect the Rays' one-run lead, as Colton Cowser began the inning at second base and then came around to score on a fielder's choice. Scholtens then took a two-run lead into the bottom of the 13th, but after the Orioles tied the game on an RBI double and sacrifice fly, the right-hander surrendered a two-run walk-off home run to Cowser. With the Rays recently getting Steven Matz back from the injured list to fill out their rotation, Scholtens appears set to handle a more traditional bullpen role moving forward. |
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Aidan Smith Aidan Smith Back from IL
Mon, May 25, 2026, 10:41 PM
Smith (hamstring) was activated from the 7-day injured list Tuesday.
Analysis: Smith had a slow start to 2026 after picking up a hamstring injury. However, he successfully completed a rehab assignment and has returned to High-A Bowling Green. He's now 3-for-13 with two stolen bases and three runs scored in four games since being activated. |
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Makes full recovery
Mon, May 25, 2026, 10:36 PM
Nichols (undisclosed) was activated from the 7-day injured list Tuesday.
Analysis: The nature of Nichols' injury remains a mystery, but he's been cleared to rejoin Double-A Montgomery. The 23-year-old drew the start in Friday's matchup against Knoxville, allowing one run on two hits and three walks while striking out two across 1.2 innings. |
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Jonathan Aranda Jonathan Aranda Clubs ninth homer Monday
Mon, May 25, 2026, 5:26 PM
Aranda went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a double, a walk and an additional RBI in Monday's 9-7 extra-innings loss to the Orioles.
Analysis: Aranda snapped a 10-game homerless drought Monday, but he does have at least one extra-base hit in three of his past four contests. The first baseman has hit safely in 15 of his 21 outings during the month of May, adding to a strong campaign at the plate. Through 222 plate appearances, Aranda is slashing .268/.369/.464 with nine homers, nine doubles, 40 RBI and 29 runs scored. |
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Wander Franco Wander Franco Will not serve prison sentence
Mon, May 25, 2026, 5:18 PM
Franco has been declared criminally responsible for the sexual and psychological abuse of a minor but will not serve a prison sentence, ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: While Franco was found guilty of the crime, Dominican judge Jose Antonio Nunez determined that Franco was also a victim himself of extortion and blackmail by the minor's mother. As a result, Franco will not have to go to prison. Major League Baseball's own investigation into Franco remains active, and he could be subject to further discipline under the league's domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy. It remains unlikely that Franco plays major-league baseball again. |
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Shane McClanahan Shane McClanahan Bounces back in no-decision
Mon, May 25, 2026, 5:06 PM
McClanahan took a no-decision Monday against the Orioles, allowing no runs on three hits and two walks in 5.1 innings. He struck out three.
Analysis: After coughing up four runs in his last start against Baltimore, McClanahan got right back on track in Monday's rematch. The 29-year-old southpaw delivered his fifth scoreless outing in his last six appearances, scattering three singles on the afternoon, but the three strikeouts were a season low. McClanahan is set for another start later this week at home against the Angels, now holding a strong 2.52 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 50:19 K:BB over 50 innings. |
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Victor Mesa Jr. Victor Mesa Jr. Getting start versus righty
Mon, May 25, 2026, 11:27 AM
Mesa will start in right field and bat seventh in Monday's game versus the Orioles.
Analysis: With Jonny DeLuca (hamstring) likely sidelined until after the All-star break, Mesa could get some run in right field against right-handed pitching. The 24-year-old has slashed .329/.420/.543 with two home runs and one stolen base over 18 contests at Triple-A Durham this season. |
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Jonny DeLuca Jonny DeLuca Shelved for 6-to-8 weeks
Mon, May 25, 2026, 11:24 AM
DeLuca is expected to miss 6-to-8 weeks after an MRI revealed a Grade 1 right hamstring strain, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Analysis: Though the Grade 1 diagnosis is the least severe, the Rays nevertheless anticipate a lengthy absence for the outfielder. DeLuca had been serving as the Rays' primary right fielder of late, and in the two games since he got hurt, the club has used Ryan Vilade once (against a lefty) and Victor Mesa once (against a righty) at the position. |
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Drew Rasmussen Drew Rasmussen Sharp again in no-decision
Sun, May 24, 2026, 3:50 PM
Rasmussen did not factor into the decision in Sunday's 2-0 loss to the Yankees. He allowed five hits and one walk while striking out six over seven scoreless innings.
Analysis: Rasmussen was excellent Sunday, blanking the Yankees for the second time already this season, though he ultimately came away with a no-decision in the Rays' shutout loss. The 30-year-old Rasmussen has held opponents to three earned runs or fewer in nine of his 10 starts this year. His ERA is down to 2.78 with a 0.98 WHIP and 51:10 K:BB across 55 innings. Rasmussen will look to keep rolling his next time out, currently lined up to come at home against the Angels. |
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Richie Palacios Richie Palacios Sitting against lefty
Sun, May 24, 2026, 10:42 AM
Palacios is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Yankees, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Analysis: After starting in each of the Rays' last three games while going a collective 3-for-10 with a double, two walks, four RBI and a run, the left-handed-hitting Palacios will retreat to the bench while southpaw Ryan Weathers takes the hill for New York. Carson Williams will get the nod at second base Sunday and should continue to occupy the short side of a platoon with Palacios until Ben Williamson (back) returns from the injured list. |
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Victor Mesa Jr. Victor Mesa Jr. Called up by Tampa Bay
Sun, May 24, 2026, 10:01 AM
The Rays recalled Mesa from Triple-A Durham on Sunday.
Analysis: Mesa will join the Rays as a replacement on the active roster for Jonny DeLuca (hamstring), who was placed on the 10-day injured list. In DeLuca's absence, Mesa should see a fair amount of starts in the outfield, especially against right-handed pitching. He'll be on the bench for Sunday's game against the Yankees, however, with southpaw Ryan Weathers on the hill for New York. |
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Jonny DeLuca Jonny DeLuca Shelved with hamstring strain
Sun, May 24, 2026, 9:58 AM
The Rays placed DeLuca on the 10-day injured list Sunday due to a right hamstring strain.
Analysis: DeLuca strained his right hamstring while running the bases during Friday's 4-2 win over the Yankees. The 27-year-old outfielder will be eligible to return from the shelf June 3, but it's unclear if he'll have a shot at rejoining the Rays at that time. Victor Mesa was recalled from Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move and could work in a platoon in right field with Ryan Vilade while DeLuca is on the IL. |
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Drew Rasmussen Drew Rasmussen Rays-Yankees postponed
Sat, May 23, 2026, 8:15 AM
Rasmussen and the Rays won't face the Yankees on Saturday, as the game was postponed due to inclement weather, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Analysis: Saturday's contest will be made up during a doubleheader Sept. 22 in New York, and Rasmussen's next start will likely be pushed back to Sunday. The 30-year-old righty has already faced the Yankees once this season, giving up just one hit while striking out seven batters over six shutout innings April 12. |
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Bryan Baker Bryan Baker Earns 14th save
Fri, May 22, 2026, 9:34 PM
Baker earned the save in Friday's 4-2 win over the Yankees, allowing one hit and no walks with one strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.
Analysis: Baker was summoned to finish off a late Rays comeback and worked around a one-out walk to slam the door on 19 pitches. The 31-year-old has now converted three straight save chances after blowing a save May 13, and he owns a 1.80 ERA across 11 appearances in the month. On the year, he's 14-for-17 in save opportunities with a 2.53 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 25:9 K:BB across 21.1 innings. |
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