Tampa Bay Rays - NFBC | High Stakes Fantasy Baseball

Tampa Bay Rays

NFC | High Stakes Fantasy Sports

News
Brian Van Belle Brian Van Belle Outrighted after clearing waivers Thu, Nov 13, 2025, 1:02 PM The Rays outrighted Van Belle (elbow) to Triple-A Durham on Thursday. Analysis: Van Belle was diagnosed with a UCL sprain in September, and Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports that the righty had surgery and will miss all of the 2026 season. It's unclear what specific procedure he had, but if it was Tommy John, it would be the second of his career. Van Belle will remain in the organization while he rehabs.
Brian Van Belle Brian Van Belle DFA'd by Tampa Bay Thu, Nov 6, 2025, 5:45 PM The Rays activated Van Belle (elbow) from the 60-day injured list and designated him for assignment Thursday. Analysis: Van Belle suffered a UCL sprain in September, and it's unclear if the injury will be addressed via rest and rehab or surgery. Regardless, the 29-year-old will be placed on waivers. He appeared in four games with Tampa Bay in 2025, marking his first MLB action.
Bob Seymour Bob Seymour Cut from 40-man roster Thu, Nov 6, 2025, 5:29 PM The Rays designated Seymour for assignment Thursday. Analysis: Seymour saw extended big-league action to close the regular season, and he slashed .205/.253/.282 with a 38.6 percent K rate across 83 plate appearances. It was a disappointing MLB debut for the first baseman who launched 30 homers at Triple-A Durham before being called up. He'll now be exposed to waivers, though he could remain with the Rays if he goes unclaimed.
Kameron Misner Kameron Misner Booted from 40-man roster Thu, Nov 6, 2025, 5:26 PM The Rays designated Misner for assignment Thursday. Analysis: Misner will hit waivers after a lackluster 2025 campaign. The outfielder, who turns 28 in January, slashed .213/.273/.345 with a 31.8 percent K rate across 217 big-league plate appearances, and he slashed .210/.333.442 at Triple-A. He should attract some interest on waivers.
Forrest Whitley Forrest Whitley Has contract selected Thu, Nov 6, 2025, 5:23 PM The Rays selected Whitley to the major-league roster Thursday. Analysis: Whitley struggled in his 12 big-league innings last season, posting a 13.50 ERA and a 2.25 WHIP across appearances with Houston and Tampa Bay. The 28-year-old posted a more palatable 2.60 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP across 55.1 innings at Triple-A Durham, though.
Jake Fraley Jake Fraley Claimed by Rays Thu, Nov 6, 2025, 5:03 PM Tampa Bay claimed Fraley off waivers from Atlanta on Thursday. Analysis: Fraley suffered a right oblique strain in mid-September, and after being exposed to waivers, he'll get a fresh start in Tampa Bay. Fraley slashed .241/.332/.382 during the 2025 season, spending the bulk of the year with Cincinnati before ending the campaign in Atlanta.
Brandon Lowe Brandon Lowe Rays pick up $11.5 million option Thu, Nov 6, 2025, 10:07 AM The Rays exercised Lowe's $11.5 million option for 2026 on Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: Lowe will stay put after he slashed .256/.307/.477 with 31 home runs and 83 RBI this season for the Rays. The 31-year-old will be entering his walk year in 2026, so he will be a trade candidate if the Rays are not in contention when the deadline arrives.
Taylor Walls Taylor Walls Option exercised, another one added Thu, Nov 6, 2025, 9:48 AM The Rays exercised Walls' (sports hernia) $2.45 million option for 2026 and added a $3.1 million club option for 2027 on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports. Analysis: The new deal covers Walls' remaining years of arbitration eligibility, if the 2027 option is picked up. Walls is a career .195/.286/.298 hitter over parts of five major-league seasons but is regarded as a plus defender. He could compete for the starting shortstop job next season with Carson Williams but could ultimately settle into a utility infielder role. Walls is recovering from sports hernia surgery but is expected to be ready for spring training.
Cole Wilcox Cole Wilcox No longer on 40-man roster Mon, Nov 3, 2025, 11:45 AM The Rays designated Wilcox for assignment Monday. Analysis: Wilcox made his major-league debut this season with the Rays, getting roughed up for seven runs (three earned) over one inning in his lone appearance. The 26-year-old will go through the waivers process and could remain in the organization if he goes unclaimed.
Joey Gerber Joey Gerber Cut from 40-man roster Mon, Nov 3, 2025, 11:43 AM The Rays designated Gerber for assignment Monday. Analysis: The Rays are doing some 40-man roster housecleaning and Gerber has lost his spot. The righty reliever made two appearances for Tampa Bay in 2025, allowing one run with a 4:0 K:BB over 4.1 innings.
Caleb Boushley Caleb Boushley Removed from 40-man roster Mon, Nov 3, 2025, 11:41 AM The Rays designated Boushley for assignment Monday. Analysis: Boushley was a waiver claim of the Rays in September but never made an appearance for them. He's been outrighted previously, so Boushley will have the ability to elect free agency if he passes through waivers.
Garrett Acton Garrett Acton Booted from 40-man roster Mon, Nov 3, 2025, 11:39 AM The Rays designated Acton for assignment Monday. Analysis: Acton made one scoreless appearance for the Rays in 2025 but spent virtually all of his time at Triple-A Durham, where he held a 3.68 ERA and 71:27 K:BB over 58.2 frames. The 27-year-old is no longer on the 40-man roster but could stick around in the organization if he passes through waivers.
Stuart Fairchild Stuart Fairchild Activated and DFA'd Mon, Nov 3, 2025, 11:34 AM The Rays activated Fairchild (oblique) from the 60-day injured list and designated him for assignment Monday. Analysis: Fairchild missed most of the second half with an oblique strain. While he will be recovered well ahead of spring training, the Rays have elected not to put him back on their 40-man roster. Fairchild is a career .223/.305/.384 hitter across parts of five major-league seasons.
Alex Faedo Alex Faedo Designated for assignment Mon, Nov 3, 2025, 11:30 AM The Rays activated Faedo (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list and designated him for assignment Monday. Analysis: Faedo never made an appearance at the major-league level for the Rays in 2025, having dealt with shoulder issues before eventually having thoracic outlet syndrome surgery in August. He's eligible for salary arbitration but could be non-tendered if he passes through waivers unclaimed.
Ryan Vilade Ryan Vilade Traded to Rays Mon, Nov 3, 2025, 10:35 AM The Rays acquired Vilade from the Reds on Monday in exchange for cash considerations. Analysis: Vilade had been a waiver claim of the Reds in June but didn't receive a plate appearance during his brief time with Cincinnati. The 26-year-old is 9-for-64 over parts of three seasons during his time at the big-league level. Vilade will attempt to win a reserve role with the Rays.
Shane McClanahan Shane McClanahan Expected to be healthy for camp Thu, Oct 2, 2025, 11:03 AM Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander said Tuesday that he expects McClanahan (triceps) to be "fully ready" for the start of spring training, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: McClanahan was limited to just two rehab starts in 2025 due to a nerve issue in his left triceps, an injury which eventually required surgery in August. The expectation is that he will have a relatively normal offseason and be on a regular pitching schedule for spring training. That said, it's an uncommon injury McClanahan is coming back from, and the fact that he experienced numerous starts and stops this season should give fantasy managers pause with the southpaw heading into 2026. McClanahan hasn't pitched in a major-league game since August 2023, having gone Tommy John surgery that month, so he could have some workload restrictions in 2026 even if he's healthy, Neander acknowledged.
Ian Seymour Ian Seymour Falls to Toronto Sun, Sep 28, 2025, 5:24 PM Seymour (4-3) took the loss Sunday against the Blue Jays, allowing six runs on seven hits and two walks over 3.1 innings. He struck out seven. Analysis: Toronto got to Seymour out of the gate Sunday, scoring five times in the first inning, punctuated by an Alejandro Kirk grand slam. The 26-year-old Seymour had been pitching well coming into the day, posting a 2.08 ERA in his previous six appearances (30.1 innings). While it wasn't the ideal finish, it was an encouraging rookie campaign overall for the left-hander. Seymour posted a 3.63 ERA with a 1.18 WHIP and 64:19 K:BB across 57 innings.
Yandy Diaz Yandy Diaz Resting up for finale Sun, Sep 28, 2025, 1:56 PM Diaz is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Blue Jays. Analysis: Diaz will be rested along with fellow veteran Brandon Lowe in the season finale. Jonathan Aranda will serve as the Rays' designated hitter in place of Diaz, who has hit .300 with 25 home runs, three steals, 83 RBI and 79 runs in 150 games.
Brandon Lowe Brandon Lowe Idle Sunday Sun, Sep 28, 2025, 1:54 PM Lowe is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Blue Jays. Analysis: Tristan Gray will start at second base in place of Lowe in the season finale. Unless he's used off the bench, Lowe will finish the campaign with a .256 batting average, 31 home runs, three stolen bases, 83 RBI and 79 runs.
Chandler Simpson Chandler Simpson Idle Sunday Sun, Sep 28, 2025, 1:51 PM Simpson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Blue Jays. Analysis: Unless he's used off the bench Sunday, Simpson will conclude his rookie season with a .295 batting average to go with 44 stolen bases, 53 runs and 26 RBI in 109 games. Jake Mangum will enter the lineup in center field.