Analysis: Rasmussen has been limited to only 24 total appearances across the last two seasons due to elbow issues, and he didn't pitch more than two innings in any outing in 2024 after returning to the mound in early August. However, he'll be set to work on a five-day starter's schedule throughout spring, something he believes will keep him healthier rather than potentially pitching back-to-back days out of the bullpen. The Rays have seven potential starters, so it is unclear how they will craft their rotation to begin the 2025 campaign.

Analysis: As a member of the Tigers last season, Faedo didn't pitch after Aug. 20 due to a strained right shoulder, but his ability to throw a live BP session in the early stages of spring training confirms that he's healthy. The 29-year-old right-hander will be competing for a spot in the Tampa Bay bullpen after turning in a 3.61 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 55:28 K:BB in 57.1 innings over his 37 appearances for the Tigers in 2024. Faedo doesn't have any minor-league options remaining, so the Rays would have to expose him to waivers if he isn't kept on the Opening Day roster or placed on the injured list to begin the season.

Analysis: Caminero is continuing to put his power on full display in the early stages of spring training following a spectacular showing in the Dominican Winter League. While playing for Leones del Escogido, Caminero batted .417 with four home runs and 28 RBI across 22 regular-season and postseason games, and the 21-year-old provided perhaps the highlight of the DWL season with a tie-breaking 454-foot solo shot in the top of the ninth inning of Game 7 of the championship series to lead his team to a title. The impressive performance over the winter came after Caminero had a solid, yet somewhat underwhelming run at the MLB level upon receiving a call-up to the Rays last August, slashing .248/.299/.424 with six home runs and two stolen bases over his 177 plate appearances. Now preparing for his first full season in the majors, Caminero should be feeling less pressure to compete for a roster spot this spring, as the Rays have seemingly cleared the way for him to be their everyday third baseman. Though his immense power will likely play well in any ballpark, Caminero's home-run projection should get at least a slight boost while the Rays leave the domed Tropicana Field to play their 2025 home games outdoors in Tampa at Steinbrenner Field, which mimics Yankee Stadium's more hitter-friendly dimensions.

Analysis: Jimenez had to settle for a minor-league contract with the Rays this offseason following a 2024 campaign that he referred to Sunday as a "disaster." Manager Kevin Cash said that Jimenez is "really, really motivated" and will get some reps in the outfield and even at first base in addition to competing for at-bats at designated hitter.

Analysis: McClanahan missed the entire 2024 season while recovering from a Tommy John procedure he underwent in August 2023 -- already the second such operation of his career. Despite his extended hiatus, the Rays will entrust him with starting the first game of the season, as he owns a 3.02 ERA and 1.10 WHIP over his three seasons in the majors. The 27-year-old southpaw said Wednesday that he won't have any sort of restrictions during spring training, though the Rays are still expected to put a ceiling -- likely around 150 innings -- on his workload during the regular season.

Analysis: Englert will get a spot on the Rays' 40-man roster, with Tampa Bay placing Nate Lavender (elbow) on the 60-day injured list in a corresponding transaction. The 25-year-old right-hander spent the majority of the 2024 season with Triple-A Toledo but made 12 appearances (one start) for Detroit, logging a 5.40 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB In 21.2 innings. Englert will likely be ticketed for a low-leverage role out of the bullpen if he secures a spot on the Rays' Opening Day roster.

Analysis: The Rays are still expected to cap McClanahan at around 150 innings in 2025 after he missed the entire 2024 campaign while recovering from August 2023 Tommy John surgery, but he appears to be entering the spring on a normal throwing progression that mirrors Tampa Bay's other healthy rotation candidates. According to Bass, McClanahan's fastball sat at around 94-to-95 mph during Wednesday's throwing session, just a tick or two behind his average velocity from the 2023 season. McClanahan made his second consecutive All-Star appearance that season and turned in a 3.29 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 121:41 K:BB over 115 innings before requiring the second Tommy John surgery of his career.

Analysis: Kim had said earlier this offseason that he hoped to be ready to play by mid-April following labrum repair surgery on his right shoulder in October. However, he'll be brought along more slowly than that, effectively missing the first two months of the season. The Rays will use Taylor Walls and Jose Caballero at shortstop until Kim is ready.

Analysis: Jimenez joined the Rays on a minor-league deal in late December and will earn $2 million if he makes the Opening Day roster. He struggled to get going during the 2024 season, but he had at least a .169 ISO in all of his prior campaigns. While Mead would offer Tampa Bay more defensive versatility, Jimenez has the chance to be the more impactful bat.

Analysis: Mead was a highly regarded prospect in the Rays' system, but he has managed just a 78 wRC+ across 224 big-league plate appearances. Though he's capable of playing both second and third base, the team boasts considerable depth at each position and could instead opt to keep the potential power bat of Jimenez on the roster.

Analysis: Seabold, 29, pitched for the Samsung Lions in Korea in 2024, posting a 3.43 ERA and 158:40 K:BB across 160 innings. He's managed just an 8.12 ERA over parts of three big-league seasons and is likely to open 2025 as part of the rotation at Triple-A Durham.

Analysis: Barrera, 30, has hit .228/.313/.310 over parts of four seasons at the big-league level. He will give the Rays another catcher for their pitchers to throw to in camp but is pegged for Triple-A Durham to begin the season.

Analysis: The Rays traded Jose Siri to the Mets during the offseason, creating an opening in center field. DeLuca is expected to fill that void thanks primarily to his defensive ability, though he'll likely need to perform better at the plate to maintain regular at-bats throughout the campaign. He posted just a 77 wRC+ across 362 big-league plate appearances in 2024, and Richie Palacios can also handle center field duties.

Analysis: Morel was dealt to the Rays in late July and subsequently started 31 games. Only 11 of those came in left field as compared to 20 at third base. However, with Junior Caminero all but certain to be a mainstay at the hot corner, Morel will be forced to a new defensive home. He could also face some pressure for playing time from Richie Palacios or even Eloy Jimenez if he cannot improve upon the .547 OPS that he posted across 190 plate appearances with the team in 2024.

Analysis: The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the signing of Ha-Seong Kim (shoulder). Eisert was just acquired from the Blue Jays in late January for cash considerations but will now be exposed to waivers.

Analysis: Aranda was expected to contribute to the Rays in 2024, though he lost roughly three months of the season due to finger and oblique injuries. However, he finally managed regular run with the big-league club in September when he hit .253 with five homers, 13 runs scored and 10 RBI across 85 plate appearances. Aranda then supplemented that playing time with 115 plate appearances in the Mexican Winter League, during which he maintained a 1.047 OPS. Barring more bad luck with injuries, he should have the chance to build off of that momentum to begin the 2025 season with regular at-bats against right-handed pitching.

Analysis: The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the newly-acquired Alex Faedo. Basabe, 24, missed a large chunk of the 2024 season with a fractured wrist, slashing just .248/.293/.336 over 66 contests during his time at Triple-A Durham. He has minor-league options left and could draw interest from a team looking for utility depth.

Analysis: Faedo had been removed from the Tigers' 40-man roster and will now join a new organization. The right-hander is out of minor-league options, so the Rays will need to carry him on their Opening Day roster or put him through the waivers process. Faedo has a career 5.00 ERA over 30 starts and 3.44 ERA over 34 relief appearances at the big-league level.

Analysis: Hernandez, 28, posted a 5.40 ERA and 39:28 K:BB over 43.1 innings between the Rangers and Mariners last season. He will compete for a bullpen job this spring but is likely ticketed for Triple-A Durham.

Analysis: The deal includes an opt-out after the first year, which would potentially allow Kim to hit the free-agent market again next winter if he bounces back from right shoulder surgery. Tampa Bay expects Kim to be ready to debut for the team by May, at which point he will take over as its everyday shortstop. Taylor Walls and Jose Caballero will compete for reps at short until Kim is ready. Kim, 29, slashed .233/.330/.370 with 11 home runs and 22 stolen bases with the Padres in 2024.