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Cedric Mullins Cedric Mullins Picks up steal Thursday
Thu, May 7, 2026, 10:08 PM
Mullins went 1-for-4 with a stolen base and one RBI in Thursday's 8-4 win over the Red Sox.
Analysis: Mullins made a rare start in center field versus a left-handed pitcher (Jake Bennett), but that isn't likely to be the norm moving forward. This was the third lefty the Rays had faced in four days, so Mullins' inclusion in the lineup was likely just to get him some playing time. He was able to swipe a bag for the first time in three tries this month, and he's hitting 4-for-17 (.235) over six games in May. That's not a great mark, but it's better than his .143 average for the season. Mullins has added a .430 OPS, seven steals on 10 attempts, two home runs, 10 RBI, nine runs scored, two doubles and a triple over 123 plate appearances. Barring a sustained run of good hitting, Mullins is trending toward a part-time role. |
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Jonny DeLuca Jonny DeLuca Logs fifth steal
Thu, May 7, 2026, 10:04 PM
DeLuca went 2-for-4 with a walk, a stolen base and two runs scored in Thursday's 8-4 win over the Red Sox.
Analysis: DeLuca was in the lineup for the third time in four games since the Rays have faced three left-handed starters in that stretch. The outfielder is firmly in a short-side platoon role, but he offers a bit of speed and decent contact skills when he plays. He's batting .284 with a .762 OPS, two home runs, 14 RBI, 16 runs scored, seven doubles and five steals on six attempts over 86 plate appearances. He has appeared in all seven of the Rays' games in May so far, going 6-for-21 (.286) for the month. |
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Junior Caminero Junior Caminero Reaches 10-homer mark
Thu, May 7, 2026, 10:01 PM
Caminero went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run, a walk and a second run scored in Thursday's 8-4 win over the Red Sox.
Analysis: This was Caminero's first multi-hit effort since April 24 versus the Twins. He's cooled down a bit in recent weeks -- after that April 24 game, he was batting .270 on the year, but he's at .259 with an .846 OPS for the year. Just two of his homers have come over his last 12 contests as well. The third baseman still offers plenty of power in the heart of the Rays' order, as he's at 10 homers, 18 RBI, 23 runs scored, three doubles and no stolen bases through 37 games. |
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Griffin Jax Griffin Jax Stretches out to four innings
Thu, May 7, 2026, 9:57 PM
Jax allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits and a walk while striking out three over four innings in a no-decision versus the Red Sox on Thursday.
Analysis: Jax stretched out to four innings and 59 pitches (38 strikes) as he continues to build up to being a rotation option. This was his first time allowing runs in an appearance he's started this year, and he's added a 7:3 K:BB across nine innings over his three starts. Jax has a 5.00 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 17:10 K:BB across 14 appearances spanning 18 innings overall. The right-hander is still at least two outings away from approaching a full starter's workload, and it could be longer if the Rays are cautious with him. Jax is tentatively projected for a road start versus the Blue Jays his next time out. |
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Joe Boyle Joe Boyle Needs more time on rehab assignment
Thu, May 7, 2026, 11:32 AM
Boyle (elbow) struck out four over two scoreless innings in his first rehab start Wednesday with Triple-A Durham.
Analysis: Boyle made his first game appearance in nearly a month while he works his way back from a right elbow strain. Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times relays that the Rays won't rush Boyle back from the 15-day injured list, so expect the club to proceed slowly with his rehab. Boyle threw 31 pitches in Wednesday's outing and will continue to build up his stamina from there. |
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Jonny DeLuca Jonny DeLuca Handling short-side platoon role
Wed, May 6, 2026, 11:13 PM
DeLuca went 1-for-4 with an RBI double and a run scored in Wednesday's 3-0 win over Toronto.
Analysis: DeLuca doubled off Blue Jays southpaw Patrick Corbin for his seventh two-bagger of the year. While DeLuca tends to sit versus right-handed pitching, he's been effective in his part-time role for the Rays. Over 34 at-bats against left-handers, the righty-hitting outfielder is batting .294 with two home runs, four doubles and nine RBI. |
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Kevin Kelly Kevin Kelly Records sixth hold
Wed, May 6, 2026, 11:06 PM
Kelly picked up a hold Wednesday against Toronto, allowing two hits and no walks in a scoreless inning of work.
Analysis: Although the 28-year-old right-hander hasn't received a save opportunity since early April, he's still been a key part of Tampa Bay's bullpen despite falling out of favor in the Rays' closer picture. Kelly sports a 3.45 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 13:4 K:BB across 15.2 innings, also collecting six holds. |
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Ian Seymour Ian Seymour Notches first career save
Wed, May 6, 2026, 4:27 PM
Seymour struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his first save of the season in a 3-0 win over the Blue Jays.
Analysis: Bryan Baker got the call in the eighth inning to face the 9-1-2 hitters, including Toronto's hottest bat in Kazuma Okamoto, but that still left the heart of the order for Seymour in the ninth. The southpaw didn't blink, firing nine of 11 pitches for strikes to collect his first career save and striking out Vladimir Guerrero along the way. Seymour has eight holds and a win in his 16 appearances in addition to Wednesday's save, but his 5.09 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 20:7 K:BB over 17.2 innings don't immediately mark him as a reliable high-leverage option. |
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Shane McClanahan Shane McClanahan Blanks Jays for fourth win
Wed, May 6, 2026, 4:21 PM
McClanahan (4-2) picked up the win Wednesday, scattering two hits and a walk over 5.2 scoreless innings in a 3-0 victory over the Blue Jays. He struck out four.
Analysis: The southpaw extended his scoreless streak to 16.2 innings in a surprisingly short outing that saw McClanahan get the hook after just 69 pitches (47 strikes), one out shy of his second quality start of 2026. Both hits off McClanahan were doubles, but in neither case did the Toronto runner even advance to third base. He'll take a 2.60 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 34:14 K:BB through 34.2 innings into his next start, which is set to come on the road early next week in a rematch with the Jays. |
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Gavin Lux Gavin Lux On track for weekend return
Wed, May 6, 2026, 12:29 PM
Lux (shoulder/ankle) is tracking toward a return during the Rays' series in Boston this weekend, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Lux initially went on the injured list with a right shoulder impingement and was later delayed by a left ankle sprain. He's fully recovered now but has not done much on his rehab assignment, slashing .169/.329/.288 with one home run and a 14:20 BB:K over 17 contests. Lux is poised to be the Rays' primary second baseman against righties and will be making his team debut when he gets into a game. |
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Griffin Jax Griffin Jax Slated to start Thursday
Wed, May 6, 2026, 10:37 AM
Jax is in line to start Thursday's game against the Red Sox in Boston, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: With the team's starting pitching depth having been tested by injuries in recent weeks, Jax has begun the process of getting stretched out as a potential rotation open. Jax has served as an opener for the Rays in both of his last two appearances, covering 2.1 innings April 26 against the Twins and then 2.2 innings Saturday against the Giants. Jax is likely to expand on that workload Thursday, though he probably won't hit the five innings he would need to qualify for a win. Assuming he isn't needed out of the bullpen during Wednesday's series finale versus the Blue Jays, Jesse Scholtens could work in bulk relief behind Jax and would have some appeal as a streaming option after scooping up wins in both of Jax's last two starts. |
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Mason Englert Mason Englert Candidate to start Friday
Wed, May 6, 2026, 9:42 AM
Englert (forearm) could start Friday in Boston in place of the injured Steven Matz (elbow), Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: The Rays had sent Englert to Triple-A Durham to begin a rehab assignment. However, Englert was spotted in the clubhouse Wednesday, suggesting the club could have him fill in for Matz instead. Englert has been used in relief this season, but the Rays intend to stretch him out as a rotation option. He hasn't pitched in more than two weeks and is not stretched out, so it would be an abbreviated start if Englert does indeed take the ball Friday. |
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Richie Palacios Richie Palacios Taking seat Wednesday
Wed, May 6, 2026, 9:13 AM
Palacios is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays.
Analysis: With southpaw Patrick Corbin starting for the Blue Jays, the left-handed-hitting Palacios will hit the bench for the third time in four games. Ben Williamson will draw the start at second base Wednesday as he and Palacios continue to work in a loose platoon at the position amid the ongoing absence of Gavin Lux (shoulder/ankle), who has been stuck on the injured list all season. |
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Michael Grove Michael Grove Set to face hitters this weekend
Tue, May 5, 2026, 10:08 PM
Grove (shoulder) is scheduled to face hitters this weekend, MLB.com reports.
Analysis: It's set to be Grove's first session since opening the season on the injured list amid his recovery from last year's right shoulder surgery. The right-hander is then slated to go on a minor-league rehab assignment sometime thereafter. Barring any setbacks, Grove should be an option for the Rays at some point in June. |
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Steven Matz Steven Matz Absence expected to be brief
Tue, May 5, 2026, 2:58 PM
Matz's (elbow) stint on the 15-day injured list is not expected to last long, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Analysis: Matz was placed on the IL earlier Tuesday with left elbow inflammation. He felt soreness in the elbow after his last outing, but an MRI came back negative and the belief is the injury was caught early. It's unclear when Matz might be ready to throw again, but he could be ready to rejoin the Rays' rotation later this month if all goes well. |
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Steven Matz Steven Matz Lands on IL with elbow inflammation
Tue, May 5, 2026, 1:05 PM
The Rays placed Matz on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with left elbow inflammation, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Analysis: The injury seemingly came out of nowhere, as Matz had authored two straight quality starts, including tossing six innings of one-run ball against the Giants on Sunday. It's unclear whether he will undergo any additional testing, but even in a best-case scenario, Matz is likely looking at longer than a minimum 15-day absence. Joe Boyle (elbow) and Mason Englert (forearm) are both starting rehab assignments Wednesday and are options to take Matz's rotation spot when they're ready, but the club will need someone else to slot into the rotation this weekend in Boston. |
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Contract selected
Tue, May 5, 2026, 1:03 PM
The Rays selected Solesky from Triple-A Durham on Tuesday, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Analysis: The right-hander joined the Rays as a non-roster invitee in January and will now get his first look in the big leagues. Solesky has struggled to a 6.57 ERA, 1.74 WHIP and 27:10 K:BB across 24.2 frames (six starts) with Durham this year, so he'll likely be limited to a low-leverage relief role while up with Tampa Bay. |
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Ryan Vilade Ryan Vilade Blasts second career homer
Tue, May 5, 2026, 2:13 AM
Vilade went 1-for-2 with a three-run home run in Monday's 5-1 win over the Blue Jays.
Analysis: After Chandler Simpson and Junior Caminero reached base to lead off the game, Vilade provided the early spark, launching a three-run homer off Eric Lauer. The blast was his first of the season and just the second of his MLB career. Vilade has been swinging a hot bat lately, slashing .357/.400/.536 over his last 12 games with two doubles, eight RBI and five runs scored. |
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Bryan Baker Bryan Baker Records one-out save Monday
Tue, May 5, 2026, 2:02 AM
Baker earned the save Monday against the Blue Jays, recording the final out of the ninth inning.
Analysis: Baker entered the ninth with two outs and runners on the corners and induced a flyout from Kazuma Okamoto to seal the win. The quick appearance secured his ninth save of the season, tying him for the American League lead, and he now has five saves in his last six appearances. Baker has been highly effective this season, posting a 2.63 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 15:3 K:BB across 13.2 innings. After a two-pitch workload, he should be fully available for Tampa Bay's next save scenario. |
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Joe Boyle Joe Boyle Starting rehab assignment
Mon, May 4, 2026, 3:44 PM
Boyle (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham on Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Boyle has missed more than three weeks with a right elbow strain, but he's progressed to the point that he's ready to test himself in a game setting. The right-hander made three starts for the Rays before getting hurt, posting a 5.17 ERA and 16:6 K:BB over 15.2 innings. He could be reclaim a spot in the Tampa Bay rotation if he looks sharp during his rehab assignment. |
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