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Jonathan Aranda Jonathan Aranda Clubs Opening Day homer Thu, Mar 26, 2026, 11:14 PM Aranda went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a walk and an additional RBI in Thursday's 9-7 loss to the Cardinals. Analysis: The left-handed-hitting Aranda managed to take southpaw Matthew Liberatore yard for his first long ball of the season. The first baseman hit third in his season debut, which should help his fantasy upside while occupying a premium lineup spot. Aranda was a strong four-category producer when available for the Rays in 2025, batting .316 with 14 homers, 59 RBI and 56 runs scored over 370 regular-season at-bats (106 games).
Jonny DeLuca Jonny DeLuca Drives in two in OD loss Thu, Mar 26, 2026, 10:55 PM DeLuca went 2-for-4 with two RBI in Thursday's 9-7 loss to the Cardinals. Analysis: With left-hander Matthew Liberatore on the mound for St. Louis, DeLuca got the start in right field and batted sixth for Tampa Bay. He drove in a pair with a single in the sixth inning. DeLuca missed most of the 2025 season battling shoulder, hamstring and quadriceps injuries, requiring two stints of the 60-day injured list. Now healthy, DeLuca figures to see regular playing time against left-handed pitching this season.
Griffin Jax Griffin Jax Takes blown save in season debut Thu, Mar 26, 2026, 10:02 PM Jax blew the save Thursday against the Cardinals, allowing one run on one hit in two-thirds of an inning. Analysis: The Rays had mounted a 7-1 lead in the sixth inning before St. Louis came roaring back in the second half of the frame, and Jax was unable to put out the fire. The right-hander entered the year as one of Tampa Bay's favorite for saves, with Edwin Uceta (shoulder) on the injured list, but Thursday's effort won't do him many favors. That said, Garrett Cleavinger gave up two runs in one-third of an inning, so this closer committee appears to be very much unsettled.
Drew Rasmussen Drew Rasmussen Hurls five strong innings in opener Thu, Mar 26, 2026, 9:45 PM Rasmussen didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Cardinals, allowing one run on four hits and no walks in five innings. He struck out two. Analysis: It was a strong season debut overall for the right-hander, who was able to throw 73 pitches. It's worth noting that Rasmussen tossed 83 pitches in his final start of spring training a week ago, so it might have been a bit of a surprise to see him get pulled when he did Thursday. The Rays were careful about his workload in 2025 -- Rasmussen reached the 90-pitch mark just twice in 31 starts last season -- so his pitch count will remain worth monitoring in his next scheduled start in Milwaukee.
Chandler Simpson Chandler Simpson Taking seat Opening Day Thu, Mar 26, 2026, 12:50 PM Simpson is out of the lineup for Thursday's season opener versus the Cardinals, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: Simpson closed out spring training with a six-game hitting streak and went 3-for-3 on steal attempts during that stretch, quelling most of the concerns about the left hamstring injury that had slowed him earlier in camp. He should be a fixture in the lineup against righties, but the Rays may be more selective in exposing the left-handed-hitting Simpson to same-handed pitching in 2026 after he produced a .299/.330/.299 slash line (79 wRC+) in 113 plate appearances versus lefties as a rookie. Simpson will cede left field to the right-handed-hitting Ryan Vilade while southpaw Matthew Liberatore takes the bump for St. Louis in the opener.
Ryan Pepiot Ryan Pepiot Will resume throwing this weekend Wed, Mar 25, 2026, 3:57 PM Pepiot (hip) is set to resume a throwing program this weekend, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports. Analysis: Pepiot was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with right hip inflammation, an injury that wasn't previously disclosed. He was examined by a doctor Wednesday and got a favorable result. Pepiot is not with the Rays on their season-opening road trip, but he should rejoin their rotation during their first home stand, perhaps as soon as April 6 when he's first eligible to be activated. Joe Boyle is occupying a spot in Tampa Bay's rotation while Pepiot is out.
Cam Booser Cam Booser Optioned after addition to 40-man Wed, Mar 25, 2026, 2:05 PM The Rays selected Booser's contract from Triple-A Durham on Wednesday and optioned him to Durham. Analysis: Presumably, Booser had an opt-out in his minor-league contract, and the Rays added him to their 40-man roster to prevent the reliever from exercising that clause. Booser holds a 4.28 ERA and 78:35 K:BB over 73.2 innings at the big-league level.
Steven Wilson Steven Wilson Goes on 60-day injured list Wed, Mar 25, 2026, 1:10 PM The Rays placed Wilson (back) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday. Analysis: Wilson had expressed optimism that his absence would be brief, but his placement on the 60-day IL means the reliever's recovery has not come along as hoped. He's working his way back from lumbar disc inflammation.
Edwin Uceta Edwin Uceta Sent to 15-day injured list Wed, Mar 25, 2026, 12:52 PM The Rays placed Uceta (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday. Analysis: Uceta came down with a right shoulder impingement in February. He resumed mound work in mid-March but still has some building up to do. Uceta has not pitched in a game since last season, so he will require a few rehab appearances once he's deemed game-ready.
Gavin Lux Gavin Lux Placed on 10-day injured list Wed, Mar 25, 2026, 8:13 AM The Rays placed Lux on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with a right shoulder impingement. Analysis: Lux had been slated to open the season as the Rays' primary second baseman, but he'll get a late start after coming down with a shoulder issue. Ben Williamson and/or Richie Palacios could get reps at the keystone while Lux is shelved.
Taylor Walls Taylor Walls Goes on 10-day IL Wed, Mar 25, 2026, 8:11 AM The Rays placed Walls on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with a right oblique strain. Analysis: Walls is slated to miss at least the first couple weeks of the season due to an oblique strain that first popped up in late February. Carson Williams will handle shortstop for the Rays while Walls is out and could keep the job if he gets off to a hot start.
Ian Seymour Ian Seymour Secures bullpen spot Tue, Mar 24, 2026, 10:57 AM Seymour will begin the season as a member of the Rays' bullpen, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: Seymour pitched well during spring training with four runs allowed and a 15:4 K:BB across 13.1 innings, and he'll open the campaign as a reliever for the Rays. The 27-year-old righty made his MLB debut last season, starting in five of 19 appearances and posting a 3.63 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 64:19 K:BB over 57 frames.
Hunter Bigge Hunter Bigge Sent to Triple-A Tue, Mar 24, 2026, 10:32 AM The Rays optioned Bigge to Triple-A Durham on Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: The right-hander allowed just one run with a 10:3 K:BB across 6.1 innings during spring training, but he won't crack Tampa Bay's Opening Day roster. Bigge had a 2.40 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 12:5 K:BB over 15 big-league innings last year, and it should only be a matter of time before the Rays give him a look in 2026.
Carson Williams Carson Williams Wins Rays' shortstop job Tue, Mar 24, 2026, 10:16 AM Williams will start at shortstop for the Rays on Opening Day in St. Louis, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: The injury to Taylor Walls (oblique) made this likely, and now the Rays have made it official. Williams had a solid showing this spring with a .779 OPS, one home run and one stolen base, though it came with a 1:7 BB:K. The 22-year-old has major swing-and-miss issues, but Williams could hit for enough power and steal enough bases to be a viable fantasy contributor even if he proves a drag on batting average.
Joe Boyle Joe Boyle Set to start game No. 2 Tue, Mar 24, 2026, 10:07 AM Boyle will rejoin the Rays to start the second game of the season Saturday against the Cardinals, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: The right-hander was competing for a roster spot before being sent to minor-league camp last week, but he'll end up starting the second game of the year with Ryan Pepiot (hip) headed to the IL and Nick Martinez (knee) banged up. Boyle started in nine of his 13 appearances for Tampa Bay last season and had a 4.67 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 58:28 K:BB across 52 innings.
Nick Martinez Nick Martinez Pushed back with hamstring issue Tue, Mar 24, 2026, 10:06 AM Martinez's season debut will be pushed back to March 30 in Milwaukee due to a minor hamstring injury, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: He had been slated to start Saturday in St. Louis but instead till get a couple extra days of rest. It's unclear how long Martinez's hamstring has been bothering him, but it could partly explain why he was lit up for 18 runs over 7.2 innings in his final two Grapefruit League starts.
Ryan Pepiot Ryan Pepiot Lands on IL with hip inflammation Tue, Mar 24, 2026, 10:00 AM The Rays placed Pepiot on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with right hip inflammation, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: It's an injury that seemingly came out of nowhere and will cost Pepiot at least his first couple turns in the rotation. Joe Boyle will be recalled from Triple-A Durham to slide into Pepiot's rotation slot. Manager Kevin Cash said Tuesday that he does not anticipate Pepiot being sidelined long, so it could be a minimum stay on the IL for the right-hander.
Cooper Bowman Cooper Bowman Sent to Tampa Bay Mon, Mar 23, 2026, 4:08 PM The Athletics traded Bowman to the Rays on Monday in exchange for Gerlin Rosario, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports. Analysis: Bowman was returned to the Athletics on March 12 after spending spring training with the Reds as a Rule 5 draft pick. He'll now head to Tampa Bay, where he will likely open the season with Triple-A Durham. Bowman appeared in 71 games for Triple-A Las Vegas in 2025, finishing with a .231/.323/.369 slash line with 21 steals, six home runs and 60 RBI in 297 plate appearances.
Nick Martinez Nick Martinez Rough Grapefruit League showing Mon, Mar 23, 2026, 11:55 AM Martinez finished Grapefruit League play with a 14.49 ERA and 7:6 K:BB over 13.2 innings. Analysis: Martinez surrendered a whopping 29 hits (including five home runs) in his four spring training starts. It will not prevent him from occupying a spot in the Rays' rotation -- he's already been announced as the starter for Saturday's game in St. Louis -- and Martinez should have some leash given his $13 million salary. Fantasy managers will probably want to steer clear of starting Martinez for the time being, however.
Richie Palacios Richie Palacios Making team after all Mon, Mar 23, 2026, 9:41 AM Palacios will make the Rays' Opening Day roster, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: Palacios was optioned to minor-league camp last week, but he's been given a reprieve with Gavin Lux (shoulder) headed to the injured list. The 28-year-old Palacios could see some starts at second base while Lux is out and is also an option for reps in the outfield.