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Tampa Bay Rays

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Edwin Uceta Edwin Uceta Throws off mound Sat, Mar 14, 2026, 10:41 AM Uceta (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Saturday, John Romano of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: This is the first time Uceta has thrown off a mound since getting a cortisone shot for shoulder inflammation in mid-February. It was reported March 2 that Uceta was unlikely to be ready for Opening Day, but he hasn't been ruled out yet. Griffin Jax, Garrett Cleavinger and Bryan Baker are the top candidates for high-leverage work in the meantime.
Griffin Jax Griffin Jax Closer committee awaits Sat, Mar 14, 2026, 10:06 AM Jax has given up one run on four hits with seven strikeouts and one walk across 4.2 combined innings between the Grapefruit League and World Baseball Classic this spring. Analysis: The right-hander is expected to open the season in a closer committee alongside Garrett Cleavinger, with Edwin Uceta (shoulder) poised to join the mix once healthy. Jax had an underwhelming 4.23 ERA and 1.29 WHIP last season, but his 99:21 K:BB and 2.57 FIP better illustrate his high-leverage upside. He has three straight seasons of 18-plus holds but didn't record any saves last year, which isn't likely to be the case for long in 2026.
Garrett Cleavinger Garrett Cleavinger Headed for closer committee Sat, Mar 14, 2026, 9:49 AM Cleavinger has given up one hit with one strikeout and no walks over two scoreless Grapefruit League appearances. He also struck out one in a scoreless frame for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. Analysis: Cleavinger's game work has been a bit light this spring while away from the Rays for the World Baseball Classic, but he should be ready for Opening Day all the same. The left-hander and Griffin Jax are poised to begin the season splitting closing duties, with Edwin Uceta set to join the mix once he recovers from a shoulder issue. Cleavinger was dominant while serving in a setup role last year, recording two saves and 22 holds with a 2.35 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 82:18 K:BB across 61.1 innings.
Richie Palacios Richie Palacios Back in action Friday Fri, Mar 13, 2026, 8:15 AM Palacios (back) will start at third base and bat eighth in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: Palacios is ready to roll after missing a week-plus of action with back tightness. The 28-year-old is 2-for-15 at the dish so far this spring and is projected for a utility role this season in Tampa Bay.
Yandy Diaz Yandy Diaz Returns to lineup Friday Fri, Mar 13, 2026, 8:12 AM Diaz (hand) will start at designated hitter and bat leadoff in Friday's Grapefruit League tilt versus the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: Diaz missed more than a week of action while nursing a sore left hand, but he upped his workouts in recent days to clear the way for his return to action. The 34-year-old is slated to serve as the Rays' primary DH this season and will also see some playing time at first base.
Ian Seymour Ian Seymour Making strong case for roster spot Wed, Mar 11, 2026, 10:19 PM Seymour allowed one hit and no walks in 2.1 scoreless innings during Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees. He struck out four. Analysis: The 27-year-old left-hander is off to an encouraging start this spring, posting a 2.70 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 12:3 K:BB over 10 frames (four appearances). With Shane McClanahan and Steven Matz likely to have workload limitations to start the year, the Rays are likely to need a couple of long relievers on their Opening Day roster, per Marc Topkin of The Tampa Bay Times. That bodes well for the chances of Seymour, who recorded a 3.63 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 64:19 K:BB across 57 innings for Tampa Bay in 2025, of breaking camp with the major-league club as a swingman.
Joe Rock Joe Rock Cut from big-league camp Wed, Mar 11, 2026, 3:01 PM The Rays optioned Rock to minor-league camp Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: Rock has allowed just one run and struck out nine over five innings this spring, but he's also issued six walks. The 25-year-old should get a chance in the Rays' bullpen this season, but he'll begin the year at Triple-A Durham.
Jesse Scholtens Jesse Scholtens Opening Day roster bid ends Wed, Mar 11, 2026, 2:58 PM The Rays optioned Scholtens to Triple-A Durham on Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: Scholtens' bid for a spot in the Rays' Opening Day bullpen has come to an end after he surrendered four earned runs on four hits and two walks over 4.1 innings in Grapefruit League play. The 31-year-old righty has previously made 28 appearances (11 starts) with the White Sox between the 2023 and 2025 seasons, but it's unclear whether the Rays plan to use him in the rotation or out of the bullpen at Triple-A Durham to begin the upcoming campaign.
Victor Mesa Jr. Victor Mesa Jr. Sent to minor-league camp Wed, Mar 11, 2026, 2:53 PM The Rays optioned Mesa to minor-league camp Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: The Rays acquired Mesa just before spring training, but he never had much of a chance to make the Opening Day roster. The 24-year-old outfielder went 2-for-5 at the plate during his limited opportunities during Cactus League play.
Andrew Wantz Andrew Wantz Sent out of big-league camp Wed, Mar 11, 2026, 2:53 PM The Rays reassigned Wantz to minor-league camp Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: Wantz missed most of the 2025 season while completing his recovery from the elbow surgery he required in July 2024, but the right-hander was able to wrap up the campaign with seven scoreless innings at Triple-A Durham. Though he headed into spring training at full health, Wantz wasn't able to win a spot in the Rays' Opening Day bullpen after giving up seven runs (four earned) on eight hits and two walks across 6.2 innings in the Grapefruit League. Wantz -- who owns a career 3.88 ERA over parts of four seasons with the Angels from 2021 through 2024 -- will need to pitch effectively at Durham to begin the 2026 campaign before potentially receiving a call-up to the Rays.
Richie Palacios Richie Palacios Eyeing Friday return Wed, Mar 11, 2026, 10:13 AM Rays manager Kevin Cash said that Palacios (back) could return to the Grapefruit League lineup as soon as Friday against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: Palacios has recently been managing back tightness, which has kept him from playing in spring games since March 3. He appears to have responded well to treatment and has seemingly resumed taking part in baseball activities, but Palacios may need to go through another workout Wednesday and/or Thursday before being cleared to play. Palacios is competing for a utility role on the Rays' Opening Day roster, with his ability to play multiple infield and outfield spots enhancing his chances of breaking camp with the big club.
Yandy Diaz Yandy Diaz Targeting Friday return Wed, Mar 11, 2026, 10:09 AM Rays manager Kevin Cash said he expects Diaz (hand) to return to the Grapefruit League lineup Friday against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: A sore left hand has kept Diaz out of the lineup since March 3, but he had been scheduled to resume swinging a bat Tuesday, and Cash's comments suggest that the veteran first baseman responded well to the activity. Diaz could get in some more live at-bats Wednesday and/or Thursday before the Rays clear him to start Friday.
Steven Matz Steven Matz Competing for rotation spot Tue, Mar 10, 2026, 11:13 PM Matz allowed one hit and one walk in four shutout innings during Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins. He struck out three. Analysis: Matz is now up to six scoreless frames covering two Grapefruit League outings. The 34-year-old left-hander is looking to open his first season with Tampa Bay as part of the starting rotation, which could occasionally give him streaming appeal in deep fantasy leagues for home starts at pitcher-friendly Tropicana Field based on matchups. Last regular season, Matz posted a quality 3.05 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 59:11 K:BB over 76.2 innings across time for St. Louis and Boston.
Carson Williams Carson Williams Pushing for roster spot Mon, Mar 9, 2026, 10:21 PM Williams went 2-for-3 in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers and is now 7-for-19 with an RBI this spring. Analysis: Williams, one of Tampa Bay's top prospects, closed out last season in the major leagues and is now trying to break Rays camp with an Opening Day roster spot. The 22-year-old infielder has hit safely in six of his eight Grapefruit League appearances so far, picking up a pair of doubles as well. He's competing primarily with the switch-hitting Taylor Walls, who has gone 5-for-12 with a home run and three RBI in four spring outings, for regular reps at shortstop, and Williams could still open the new year with Triple-A Durham if Gavin Lux (upper body) and Richie Palacios (back) are healthy.
Cedric Mullins Cedric Mullins On track to play Tuesday Mon, Mar 9, 2026, 10:28 AM Rays manager Kevin Cash said he expects Mullins (back) to return to the Grapefruit League lineup Tuesday against the Twins, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: Mullins hasn't played since last Tuesday while managing a sore back, but the Rays never viewed the injury as a long-term concern. Assuming he's able to check back into the lineup Tuesday, Mullins should have plenty of time to pick up at-bats during spring training in advance of Opening Day. The 31-year-old appears likely to open the season in the strong side of a platoon in center field.
Chandler Simpson Chandler Simpson Expected to play Tuesday Mon, Mar 9, 2026, 10:25 AM Rays manager Kevin Cash said that he expects Simpson (hamstring) to return to the Grapefruit League lineup Tuesday against the Twins, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: Simpson hasn't played since last Tuesday after experiencing renewed soreness in his left hamstring, which had previously been bothering earlier in camp. After a week-long layoff, Simpson is feeling better and ready to return to game action. Despite being limited to just four spring appearances thus far, Simpson should still have plenty of time to stockpile plate appearances in preparation for the start of the regular season.
Jake Fraley Jake Fraley Strong start in Grapefruit League Sun, Mar 8, 2026, 6:44 PM Fraley went 2-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta. Analysis: Fraley is off to a nice start this spring, having gone 4-for-13 (.308) with four RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base covering seven Grapefruit League outings. The 30-year-old is lined up for a strong-side platoon role in right field to start his first season with the Rays, but he'll likely lose at-bats to Jonny DeLuca versus left-handed pitching. Last regular season, Fraley hit .241 with just six home runs, 23 RBI and four stolen bases across 191 at-bats for Cincinnati and Atlanta.
Dom Keegan Dom Keegan Sent to minors Sun, Mar 8, 2026, 4:23 PM The Rays optioned Keegan to minor-league camp Sunday. Analysis: Keegan played in seven Grapefruit League games but never got going at the plate, as he finished 1-for-11 with six strikeouts. He should return to Triple-A Durham, where he posted a .735 OPS with 10 homers in 69 games during 2025.
Victor Mesa Jr. Victor Mesa Jr. Ready for spring debut Sun, Mar 8, 2026, 10:18 AM Mesa (hamstring) will make his Grapefruit League debut Sunday against Atlanta, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: The 24-year-old has apparently been dealing with a hamstring injury but is ready for spring action. The Rays acquired Mesa from the Marlins in early February, and he's likely to serve as organizational outfield depth and open 2026 at Triple-A Durham.
Cedric Mullins Cedric Mullins Resumes on-field work Sun, Mar 8, 2026, 9:19 AM Rays manager Kevin Cash said that Mullins is "doing better" in his recovery from back tightness and will take part in an on-field workout Sunday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: Mullins last played Tuesday before succumbing to the back injury, but the veteran outfielder looks to be making good progress and is being viewed as day-to-day. Assuming he's able to move past the back issue and play in at least a few more games before the end of the Grapefruit League slate, Mullins should be in good position to begin the season in the strong side of a platoon in center field.