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Won't pitch again this season
Sun, Jun 28, 2026, 9:48 PM
Triple-A Durham placed Vernon (elbow) on its full-season injured list Friday.
Analysis: The Rays initially shut Vernon down due to right elbow soreness back during spring training. The right-hander then went on a minor-league rehab assignment in May, making five appearances as a reliever, before going back on the shelf for good. His 2026 season ends with a 1.42 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 8:2 K:BB across 6.1 innings in the Florida Complex League and for High-A Bowling Green. |
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Ben Williamson Ben Williamson Pops rare homer Sunday
Sun, Jun 28, 2026, 9:38 PM
Williamson went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 5-1 win over the Diamondbacks.
Analysis: Williamson took Diamondbacks right-hander Merrill Kelly yard in the sixth inning Sunday. The 25-year-old has seen sporadic playing time across Tampa Bay's infield in 2026, slashing an uninspiring .236/.307/.328 with two homers, 20 RBI, five stolen bases and 24 runs scored over 193 plate appearances in a part-time role. |
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Junior Caminero Junior Caminero Fourth straight game with homer
Sun, Jun 28, 2026, 9:09 PM
Caminero went 3-for-3 with a solo home run, a walk and an additional RBI in Sunday's 5-1 win over the Diamondbacks.
Analysis: With Sunday's solo shot, the surging Caminero became the 10th player in club history to homer in at least four straight games and the youngest Ray to ever do so, per Adam Berry of MLB.com. Firmly on track for his second consecutive All-Star selection, the slugging third baseman is slashing a robust .292/.384/.548 with 22 long balls, 12 doubles and 49 RBI over 354 plate appearances. |
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Drew Rasmussen Drew Rasmussen Puts bow on stellar June
Sun, Jun 28, 2026, 5:35 PM
Rasmussen (7-4) notched the win Sunday against the Diamondbacks, allowing no runs on three hits and one walk in six innings. He struck out five.
Analysis: Rasmussen was in top form Sunday, scattering two singles and a double across six shutout innings. The 30-year-old right-hander also punctuated a spectacular month of June, giving up just three runs to go with a 39:4 K:BB through his last 33 frames (five starts). On track for his second consecutive All-Star nod, Rasmussen will take a 2.45 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 94:16 K:BB over 92 innings into his next scheduled appearance in Houston. |
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Yandy Diaz Yandy Diaz Hopeful to play Tuesday
Sun, Jun 28, 2026, 4:17 PM
Diaz (shoulder) said after Sunday's 5-1 win over the Diamondbacks that he's "hurting a little bit" but is optimistic that he'll be able to play Tuesday in Kansas City, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Diaz went 1-for-2 with an RBI and an RBI before exiting Sunday's game due to a left shoulder strain. He appears to have avoided anything overly significant, and Diaz should be aided by the Rays' team off day Monday. The 34-year-old can be considered day-to-day ahead of the team's three-game set in Kansas City. |
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Nick Madrigal Nick Madrigal Catches on with Tampa Bay
Sun, Jun 28, 2026, 4:01 PM
Madrigal agreed to a minor-league contract with the Rays on Sunday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: The 29-year-old will report to Triple-A Durham and will bolster the Rays' organizational depth at second base and third base. Before being dropped from the Angels' 40-man roster and electing free agency Thursday, Madrigal appeared in 15 games at the big-league level this season, slashing .273/.385/.295 with zero home runs, one stolen base, two RBI and seven runs across 52 plate appearances. |
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Yandy Diaz Yandy Diaz Exits with shoulder strain
Sun, Jun 28, 2026, 2:50 PM
Diaz was removed from Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks due to a left shoulder strain, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Analysis: The veteran slugger went 1-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored prior to departing the contest. Diaz should be considered day-to-day as he continues to be evaluated, and he'll have a team day off Monday to aid in his recovery ahead of Tuesday's series opener in Kansas City. |
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Victor Mesa Jr. Victor Mesa Jr. Claiming fourth straight start
Sun, Jun 28, 2026, 1:21 PM
Mesa will start in right field and bat cleanup Sunday against the Diamondbacks.
Analysis: Though he appeared to be at risk of seeing a steep reduction in playing time after Jonny DeLuca returned from the injured list June 19, Mesa seems to be holding steady as a strong-side platoon player in the Tampa Bay outfield. Mesa will be included in the starting nine for a fourth straight matchup versus a right-hander (Merrill Kelly) after going 3-for-10 with a home run, a double, a walk, three RBI and two runs in the previous three contests. |
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Jonny DeLuca Jonny DeLuca Sitting against right-hander
Sun, Jun 28, 2026, 1:19 PM
DeLuca is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.
Analysis: DeLuca will hit the bench for the third time in the Rays' last four matchups with right-handed starting pitchers. Though he should remain locked into a prominent spot in the lineup versus lefties, DeLuca looks like he could cede starts in right field to Victor Mesa against righties more often than not. |
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Michael Grove Michael Grove Sent to Durham
Sun, Jun 28, 2026, 1:18 PM
The Rays optioned Grove to Triple-A Durham on Sunday.
Analysis: The right-hander was called up from Durham on Thursday and made his Rays debut Saturday, when he fired three scoreless frames to pick up the victory. Grove is now being sent down in favor of a fresh arm, but his strong first impression should help him to get another look in Tampa Bay later this summer. |
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Richie Palacios Richie Palacios Idle Sunday
Sun, Jun 28, 2026, 1:17 PM
Palacios is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.
Analysis: Palacios will receive a breather after he had started at second base in each of the past three games while going 2-for-11 with a walk and a run scored. Ben Williamson will fill in for Palacios at the keystone. |
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Hunter Feduccia Hunter Feduccia Taking seat Sunday
Sun, Jun 28, 2026, 1:16 PM
Feduccia is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.
Analysis: Feduccia will be rested for the series finale after he started at catcher in the team's last three games. Nick Fortes will spell Feduccia behind the plate Sunday. |
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Trevor Martin Trevor Martin Rejoins big club
Sun, Jun 28, 2026, 1:04 PM
The Rays recalled Martin from Triple-A Durham on Sunday.
Analysis: The rookie right-hander will be up with the big club for the fourth time this season after giving up five earned runs with a 6:4 K:BB across 10.1 frames in his first five MLB appearances. Martin should fill a low-leverage relief role while he's with the Rays. |
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Jake Fraley Jake Fraley Kicks off rehab assignment
Sat, Jun 27, 2026, 10:20 PM
Fraley (hernia) began a rehab assignment with the rookie-level Florida Complex League on Saturday, going 0-for-3 as the designated hitter.
Analysis: Fraley is expected to get a few more at-bats at the rookie level before joining Triple-A Durham on Tuesday. Manager Kevin Cash believes the outfielder is on a "really good schedule," per MLB.com. Fraley has been on the injured list with a hernia for about a month and a half, but he has a chance to return to the Rays prior to the All-Star break in mid-July. |
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Bryan Baker Bryan Baker Slams door for save No. 21
Sat, Jun 27, 2026, 7:46 PM
Baker threw a clean ninth inning for the save Saturday against the Diamondbacks.
Analysis: Baker has now successfully converted 10 saves in a row. With 21 now for the year, the right-hander trails only Cade Smith for the major-league lead in saves. Baker has been close to a lights-out closer since seizing Tampa Bay's ninth-inning gig, posting a 1.95 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 35:11 K:BB over 32.1 innings with only three blown saves. |
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Michael Grove Michael Grove Nearly flawless in season debut
Sat, Jun 27, 2026, 7:33 PM
Grove (1-0) earned the win Saturday against the Diamondbacks, allowing no runs on one hit and no walks in three innings of relief. He struck out four.
Analysis: Making his season debut for the Rays, Grove was almost perfect out of the bullpen as a bulk reliever Saturday. The 29-year-old right-hander had a delayed start to the year due to March 2025 surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder, but he looks primed to serve as Tampa Bay's primary long reliever while Steven Matz (ankle) and Jesse Scholtens (wrist) are on the injured list. Grove flooded the zone for 26 strikes (34 pitches), but he certainly doesn't appear to be fully stretched out yet. |
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Jonny DeLuca Jonny DeLuca Sitting Saturday
Sat, Jun 27, 2026, 3:06 PM
DeLuca isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Arizona, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: DeLuca will step out of the starting nine Saturday after going 0-for-4 to begin the series Friday. His absence will allow Victor Mesa to start in right field while batting fourth. |
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Cam Booser Cam Booser Records second hold
Fri, Jun 26, 2026, 11:10 PM
Booser picked up a hold Friday against Arizona, recording the final out of the sixth inning.
Analysis: After beginning the season with Triple-A Durham, Booser has since carved out a key spot in the Rays' bullpen. Through 9.1 innings thus far, the 34-year-old left-hander has a 0.96 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 10:3 K:BB with two holds. |
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Junior Caminero Junior Caminero Reaches 20 homers in win
Fri, Jun 26, 2026, 10:02 PM
Caminero went 1-for-3 with a home run, a walk and three RBI in Friday's 6-1 win over the Diamondbacks.
Analysis: One night after launching three homers, Caminero gave the Rays a lead they wouldn't relinquish with a three-run shot in the first inning. The 22-year-old has now gone deep five times over his past four games, going 7-for-15 with 12 RBI during that stretch. On the season, he's slashing .285/.379/.527 with 20 home runs, 46 RBI and 50 runs scored across 346 plate appearances. |
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Nick Martinez Nick Martinez Earns seventh win
Fri, Jun 26, 2026, 9:57 PM
Martinez (7-2) earned the win against the Diamondbacks on Friday, allowing one run on six hits and no walks with three strikeouts over 5.2 innings.
Analysis: Martinez surrendered a solo homer in the first inning but cruised from there, throwing 62 of 85 pitches for strikes and falling one out shy of a quality start. Other than a six-run blowup June 3, the 35-year-old has allowed three earned runs or fewer in 15 of 16 outings this season. He'll carry a 2.66 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 58:17 K:BB across 94.2 innings into a road matchup with the Royals next week. |
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