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Bryan Baker Bryan Baker Locks down fourth save
Thu, Apr 16, 2026, 8:50 PM
Baker picked up the save Wednesday against the White Sox, allowing no hits and one walk in a scoreless ninth inning.
Analysis: That's now four saves already for Baker on the young campaign, which is his career-high total. The 31-year-old right-hander is establishing a rather strong grip on Tampa Bay's closer role, posting a 3.68 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 7:2 K:BB over 7.1 innings while converting four of his five save opportunities. That said, Edwin Uceta (shoulder) might present some competition to Baker once he completes his rehab assignment. |
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Steven Matz Steven Matz Settles for no-decision
Thu, Apr 16, 2026, 8:36 PM
Matz took a no-decision Wednesday against the White Sox, allowing two runs on six hits and one walk in 5.1 innings. He struck out four.
Analysis: Though Matz threw a season-low 74 pitches Wednesday, he was still able to turn in a solid outing overall. The veteran southpaw is putting together an effective transition back to the rotation with the Rays in 2026 so far, having now tossed at least five frames in each of his first four starts. Matz has a quality 3.80 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 21:6 K:BB over his first 21.1 innings, and he should maintain streaming appeal in his next scheduled start at pitcher-friendly Tropicana Field versus the Reds. |
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Jake Fraley Jake Fraley Exiting starting nine Thursday
Thu, Apr 16, 2026, 12:42 PM
Fraley is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the White Sox.
Analysis: Though right-hander Jordan Leasure is opening the game for Chicago, the left-handed Anthony Kay is scheduled to cover the bulk of the innings out of the bullpen, which has likely influenced the Rays' decision to hold the left-handed-hitting Fraley out of the lineup. Jonny DeLuca will pick up a start in right field in place of Fraley. |
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Jonathan Aranda Jonathan Aranda Getting first day off Thursday
Thu, Apr 16, 2026, 10:40 AM
Aranda is not in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the White Sox.
Analysis: Aranda has started each of the Rays' first 17 games to begin the season, so Thursday's series finale against the White Sox will be his first breather. The first baseman has slashed .227/.316/.424 with three home runs, 15 RBI, nine runs scored and a 10:17 BB:K across his first 79 plate appearances. He's in the midst of a seven-game homer-less streak. Ryan Vilade is making the start at first and batting fifth Thursday. |
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Jesse Scholtens Jesse Scholtens Earns win in bulk-relief role
Thu, Apr 16, 2026, 8:53 AM
Scholtens (1-0) earned the win in relief against the White Sox on Wednesday, pitching five innings of one-run ball while allowing one hit and two walks. He struck out three.
Analysis: Scholtens entered the game after Cole Sulser allowed four baserunners in the first two innings. The right-hander cruised through the seventh inning, allowing just three baserunners in the process and tossing 46 of his 77 pitches for strikes. Scholtens has yet to allow a run in his first two outings of the season, giving up five hits and three walks while striking out seven in 9.2 innings. |
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Cole Sulser Cole Sulser No-decision as opener
Thu, Apr 16, 2026, 8:47 AM
Sulser didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the White Sox, pitching two scoreless innings as the opener, allowing three hits and a walk while striking out one.
Analysis: Sulser allowed four baserunners in his two innings, but he didn't allow a single run -- that's already a step in the right direction considering his recent performances. He had given up at least a run in five of his six previous outings this season, and as a bullpen arm that's nowhere near pitching in high-leverage situations, he doesn't carry much fantasy upside -- especially since he owns a 4.91 ERA with a 2.00 WHIP across 11.0 innings over his first seven appearances in 2026. |
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Jonny DeLuca Jonny DeLuca Hits three-run homer in win
Thu, Apr 16, 2026, 8:44 AM
DeLuca went 1-for-1 with a three-run home run in Wednesday's win over the White Sox.
Analysis: DeLuca entered the game as a pinch hitter for Jake Fraley in the seventh inning and took Tyler Gilbert deep with a three-run blast to bolster the Rays' lead to 8-0. This was DeLuca's second homer of the season, and it was also the third straight game in which he drove in at least one run. DeLuca has also hit safely in four of his last five games, notching a .824 OPS in 17 at-bats over that stretch. |
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Junior Caminero Junior Caminero Goes yard Wednesday
Thu, Apr 16, 2026, 8:38 AM
Caminero went 1-for-4 with a solo home run, a walk, an additional RBI, an additional run scored and a strikeout in Wednesday's win over the White Sox.
Analysis: Caminero snapped a six-game homer drought with a solo shot in the third inning off Sean Burke to give the Rays a 1-0 lead. Caminero has hit safely in four of his last five games, and while he's seeing the ball well, the drop in power numbers is a bit concerning. He smacked 45 homers in 653 plate appearances in 2025 while posting a .271 ISO, but he has just three long balls with a .172 ISO in 77 plate appearances to open the 2026 campaign. It's too early to draw conclusions, but Caminero has also seen a 30-point drop in batting average to .234 so far this year. |
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Garrett Cleavinger Garrett Cleavinger Live BP on tap for Thursday
Wed, Apr 15, 2026, 10:55 PM
Cleavinger (calf) is scheduled to face hitters in live batting practice Thursday, per MLB.com.
Analysis: The left-hander is working his way back from right calf tightness, and the expectation is that he'll be able to rejoin Tampa Bay's bullpen at some point in mid-to-late April. Cleavinger has given up two runs on three hits and four walks over 2.1 innings to begin the year, so it's possible the Rays will ease him back into the mix when he's ready to return. |
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Richie Palacios Richie Palacios Second straight start vs. RHP
Wed, Apr 15, 2026, 4:14 PM
Palacios will start at second base and bat seventh in Wednesday's game against the White Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: The left-handed-hitting Palacios has now drawn the last two starts at second base over the right-handed-hitting Ben Williamson when the Rays have faced right-handed pitchers. The two could form a loose platoon at the keystone until Tampa Bay gets Gavin Lux (shoulder/ankle) back from the injured list. |
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Nick Fortes Nick Fortes Yielding to Feduccia on Wednesday
Wed, Apr 15, 2026, 2:57 PM
Fortes is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's tilt versus the White Sox.
Analysis: Fortes has been the Rays' primary catcher this season, but he will get a breather in the second game of a three-game set. Hunter Feduccia is behind the dish and batting eighth for Tampa Bay. |
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Ben Williamson Ben Williamson Grabbing seat Wednesday
Wed, Apr 15, 2026, 2:53 PM
Williamson is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the White Sox.
Analysis: He had two doubles and plated three runs in Tuesday's win over the White Sox, but he finds himself on the bench a day later. Williamson and Richie Palacios have shared second base for the Rays this season and it will be Palacios handling the keystone Wednesday. |
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Jesse Scholtens Jesse Scholtens Tasked with bulk-relief role
Wed, Apr 15, 2026, 1:13 PM
Scholtens is slated to work in bulk relief behind opening pitcher Cole Sulser in Wednesday's game against the White Sox, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Analysis: Initially tabbed to make his first MLB start since the 2023 season, Scholtens will instead continue to work out of the bullpen Wednesday while he essentially takes over the rotation spot of Joe Boyle, who was placed on the 15-day injured list last week due to a right elbow strain. With Boyle facing an uncertain timeline for a return and with Ryan Pepiot (hip) recently getting shuttled to the 60-day IL, Scholtens could have some staying power in the rotation if he performs up to snuff. The 32-year-old righty sparkled in long relief in his 2026 Rays debut last Wednesday against the Cubs, striking out four batters while allowing five baserunners over 4.2 scoreless frames. |
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Cole Sulser Cole Sulser Tapped for opening duties
Tue, Apr 14, 2026, 10:21 PM
Sulser will open Wednesday's game against the White Sox, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Analysis: Sulser has given up eight runs (six earned) over nine innings to begin the season, but the Rays will look to him to get through the first inning of Wednesday's contest. Jesse Scholtens is expected to work in bulk relief once Sulser is taken out of the game. |
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Ryan Vilade Ryan Vilade Crosses home thrice vs. White Sox
Tue, Apr 14, 2026, 10:04 PM
Vilade went 3-for-5 with an RBI double and three runs scored during the Rays' 8-5 win over the White Sox on Tuesday.
Analysis: Vilade put the Rays on the board with an RBI double to left field in the first. He came home to score in the same frame and tallied runs in the third and seventh frames. It was Vilade's first multi-hit game of the season and first since July 14, 2024 as a member of the Tigers. It was just his fourth start of the regular season, but his versatility to play in both the infield and outfield should allow him to see the field fairly often this year. |
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Ben Williamson Ben Williamson Drives in three runs Tuesday
Tue, Apr 14, 2026, 9:58 PM
Williamson went 2-for-3 with two doubles, three RBI and two runs scored during the Rays' 8-5 win over the White Sox on Tuesday.
Analysis: Williamson helped give the Rays a 3-0 lead in the first inning after his sacrifice bunt brought two of his teammates home (one earned), before logging RBI doubles in the third and seventh. It was his first multi-RBI game of the season and fourth game with at least two hits, with his last taking place April 3 against the Twins. Williamson has opened the season slashing .271/.340/.354 with two steals, 11 runs scored and six RBI across 54 plate appearances. |
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Bryan Baker Bryan Baker Collects one-out save
Tue, Apr 14, 2026, 9:54 PM
Baker earned the save in Tuesday's 8-5 win over the White Sox after recording the final out of the game.
Analysis: The Rays held an 8-3 lead heading into the ninth, but the team turned to Baker to record the final out of the game after Yoendrys Gomez gave up a two-run homer to Munetaka Murakami, and Baker successfully closed things out by getting Edgar Quero to fly out to center field. Baker has converted three of his last four save opportunities and has allowed three runs on five hits and one walk while striking out seven across 6.1 innings this season. |
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Shane McClanahan Shane McClanahan Earns first win of 2026
Tue, Apr 14, 2026, 9:48 PM
McClanahan (1-1) was credited with the win against the White Sox on Tuesday, allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits and four walks while striking out four across five innings.
Analysis: All of the runs McClanahan gave up came in the third inning on a three-run homer from Everson Pereira, though the former ended his outing strong by retiring each the last seven batters he faced. It was the first time this season that McClanahan completed the fifth inning, and he received enough run support from his teammates to come away with his first win of 2026. Through three starts, he has a 3.95 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 13:11 K:BB across 13.2 innings. McClanahan's next start is slated for this weekend on the road against the Pirates. |
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Ryan Pepiot Ryan Pepiot Suffers setback
Tue, Apr 14, 2026, 4:56 PM
Pepiot (hip) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Tuesday.
Analysis: Pepiot threw a 25-pitch bullpen session Sunday and it was assumed that he could be cleared for a minor-league rehab assignment if he checked out well. However, it appears the opposite occurred and he will need extended time on the injured list, which puts his return window in mid-to-late May. According to manager Kevin Cash, Pepiot's inflammation is "doing better," but still wasn't "feeling like himself" after medication and down time, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports. The right-hander got a second opinion and received an injection, so he will be shut down a few days before he gets built back up. In a corresponding move Tuesday, the Rays signed Michael Grove (shoulder) and placed him on the 15-day IL. |
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Michael Grove Michael Grove Signed by Rays
Tue, Apr 14, 2026, 4:47 PM
The Rays signed Grove to a major league contract Tuesday and placed him on the 15-day injured list due to right shoulder surgery.
Analysis: In a corresponding move, the Rays transferred Ryan Pepiot to the 60-day injured list due to right hip inflammation. Grove was last seen with the Dodgers when he was outrighted to Triple-A Oklahoma City in November after missing the entire 2025 season due to surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. |
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