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Victor Mesa Jr. Victor Mesa Jr. On bench Wednesday
Wed, May 27, 2026, 2:57 PM
Mesa is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Orioles, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Mesa will head to the bench after he went 2-for-8 with a home run and a walk over the first two games of the series in Baltimore. While Ryan Vilade will get the nod in right field Wednesday against Orioles righty Trey Gibson, the left-handed-hitting Mesa is the better bet to see the bulk of the starts versus righties while he's up with the big club. |
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Taylor Walls Taylor Walls Out again Wednesday
Wed, May 27, 2026, 2:49 PM
Walls (hamstring) remains out of the lineup for Wednesday's game in Baltimore.
Analysis: Walls was a late scratch Tuesday because of left hamstring tightness, and he will miss a second straight start. Carson Williams will fill in at shortstop. Walls will have another day to rest Thursday when the Rays are idle and is expected to be back in the lineup for Friday's series opener against the Angels, per Ryan Bass of Rays.tv. |
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Logan Driscoll Logan Driscoll Back in action in minor leagues
Wed, May 27, 2026, 2:35 PM
Triple-A Durham activated Driscoll (ankle) from its 7-day injured list Friday and assigned him to Single-A Charleston.
Analysis: Driscoll, who opened the year on the injured list, completed a rehab assignment with the Florida Complex League Rays and then Charleston before being reinstated. The 28-year-old catcher is under a minor-league contract with Tampa Bay and has made seven appearances for the Single-A club overall, batting .231 with three extra-base hits, five RBI and one walk across 28 plate appearances. |
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Trevor Martin Trevor Martin Demoted to Durham
Wed, May 27, 2026, 1:37 PM
The Rays optioned Martin to Triple-A Durham on Wednesday.
Analysis: Tampa Bay recalled Martin from Triple-A on May 15, but he went unused out of the bullpen for more than a week and a half before making a three-inning long-relief appearance in Tuesday's 6-1 loss to Baltimore after starter Griffin Jax (back) made an early exit. Since Martin was unlikely to be available for another day or two after the 52-pitch outing, the Rays opted to swap him off the 26-man active roster in favor of a fresh relief arm in right-hander Jonathan Heasley, who was called up from Durham. |
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Jonathan Heasley Jonathan Heasley Moves up from Triple-A
Wed, May 27, 2026, 1:34 PM
The Rays selected Heasley's contract from Triple-A Durham on Wednesday.
Analysis: Heasley had been serving as a swingman at Durham this season, making seven appearances (four starts) while logging a 3.90 ERA and 1.21 WHIP across 27.2 innings. Though he could eventually be an option in the Tampa Bay rotation, for the time being, Heasley is expected to settle into a bullpen role. He'll give the Rays another arm who's capable of covering multiple innings after Tampa Bay placed Jesse Scholtens (wrist) on the 15-day injured list Tuesday. |
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Gavin Lux Gavin Lux Shifts over to 60-day IL
Wed, May 27, 2026, 1:32 PM
The Rays transferred Lux (shoulder) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday.
Analysis: Lux has already missed more than 60 days while he's been on the shelf all season, initially due to a right shoulder impingement before he sprained his left ankle April 11 while on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham. He was cleared to return to action in the minors approximately two weeks later, only to be shut down earlier this month after suffering a setback with his shoulder injury. While the move to the 60-day IL won't affect Lux's timeline for a return, it will allow the Rays to open up a spot on the 40-man roster for right-hander Jonathan Heasley, who was called up from Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move. |
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Jesse Scholtens Jesse Scholtens Heads to IL due to wrist strain
Wed, May 27, 2026, 8:38 AM
The Rays placed Scholtens on the 15-day injured list Tuesday due to a right wrist strain.
Analysis: Scholtens presumably sustained the injury during his relief appearance against the Orioles on Monday, when he was charged with the loss and a blown save after surrendering five runs (three earned) on four hits over 1.1 innings. Tampa Bay signed right-hander Craig Kimbrel to a one-year deal and will have him take over Scholtens' spot on the 26-man active roster and in the bullpen. |
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Jonathan Aranda Jonathan Aranda Stays hot with three hits
Wed, May 27, 2026, 8:28 AM
Aranda went 3-for-4 with an RBI in Tuesday's 6-1 loss to the Orioles.
Analysis: The first baseman was the only Ray to have much success against former teammate Shane Baz, as Tampa Bay wound up with nine hits in total on the night. Aranda has hit safely in five straight games, and he's putting the finishing touches on an impressive May that's seen him slash .359/.436/.500 in 22 contests with five doubles, two homers, 12 runs and 16 RBI. |
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Griffin Jax Griffin Jax Day-to-day with back bruise
Tue, May 26, 2026, 7:32 PM
Jax was diagnosed with a back contusion following his removal from Tuesday's game against Baltimore, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Jax was hit on the back by a 107.2-mph line drive in the second inning and was pulled when the Rays took the field for the third. His diagnosis suggests that he didn't suffer any structural damage as a result of the incident. However, the team will likely keep an eye on him over the next couple of days before confirming him for his next start -- tentatively slated to come against the Tigers on Monday. |
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Griffin Jax Griffin Jax Early exit Tuesday
Tue, May 26, 2026, 6:30 PM
Jax was removed from Tuesday's game against the Orioles after getting hit by a comebacker, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Jax took a 107.2-mph line drive off his back during the second inning of Tuesday's contest. He remained in the game immediately afterward and was able to finish the inning, but the Rays replaced him on the mound in the third. He'll presumably undergo testing to determine the severity of the damage done, and the Rays could have an update on his status in the near future. |
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Austin Slater Austin Slater Inks minors deal with Rays
Tue, May 26, 2026, 6:02 PM
Slater signed a minor-league contract with the Rays on Tuesday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
Analysis: Slater elected free agency Sunday after being DFA'd by the Mets, and he'll now have a chance to redeem himself in the Rays organization. The 33-year-old outfielder has slashed just .209/.286/.233 through 49 plate appearances in the majors this season, so he will likely need to show improvement at Triple-A Durham before the Rays give him another look in the big leagues. |
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Taylor Walls Taylor Walls Scratched from lineup
Tue, May 26, 2026, 4:39 PM
Walls was scratched from the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Orioles due to left hamstring tightness, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: The Rays are viewing Walls as day-to-day, so although he won't be able to start Tuesday's contest, he doesn't seem to be at risk of missing extended time. Oliver Dunn will enter the starting nine to cover for Walls at shortstop. |
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Casey Legumina Casey Legumina Strong start with new team
Tue, May 26, 2026, 1:05 PM
Legumina allowed two hits and no walks in two scoreless innings of relief Monday against the Orioles. He struck out two.
Analysis: After posting a 4.63 ERA and 1.54 WHIP over 11.2 innings for the Mariners, the 28-year-old right-hander has been more effective since being acquired by the Rays in late April. Over 10 frames since joining Tampa Bay's bullpen, Legumina has a 1.80 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 6:3 K:BB with one hold, while working mostly as a middle reliever. |
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Craig Kimbrel Craig Kimbrel Gets MLB deal from Rays
Tue, May 26, 2026, 11:42 AM
The Rays signed Kimbrel to a one-year contract Tuesday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Kimbrel elected free agency Monday after being removed from the Mets' 40-man roster, and he's managed to quickly land another major-league contract. Slated to turn 38 on Thursday, Kimbrel posted a 6.00 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 15:6 K:BB over 15 innings with the Mets. The Rays are often able to work magic with pitchers and see something with Kimbrel they might be able to tap into, but he's nevertheless a long shot to produce fantasy value in Tampa Bay. |
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Jesse Scholtens Jesse Scholtens Surrenders walk-off homer
Tue, May 26, 2026, 9:52 AM
Scholtens was charged with a blown save and dropped to 5-3 on the season in Monday's 9-7 loss to the Orioles in 13 innings after yielding five runs (three earned) on four hits across 1.1 frames. He struck out one batter.
Analysis: Monday marked the shortest outing of the season for Scholtens, who had covered at least three innings in each of his previous eight appearances while serving as a starter or bulk reliever. He entered the game in the bottom of the 12th and was unable to protect the Rays' one-run lead, as Colton Cowser began the inning at second base and then came around to score on a fielder's choice. Scholtens then took a two-run lead into the bottom of the 13th, but after the Orioles tied the game on an RBI double and sacrifice fly, the right-hander surrendered a two-run walk-off home run to Cowser. With the Rays recently getting Steven Matz back from the injured list to fill out their rotation, Scholtens appears set to handle a more traditional bullpen role moving forward. |
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Aidan Smith Aidan Smith Back from IL
Mon, May 25, 2026, 10:41 PM
Smith (hamstring) was activated from the 7-day injured list Tuesday.
Analysis: Smith had a slow start to 2026 after picking up a hamstring injury. However, he successfully completed a rehab assignment and has returned to High-A Bowling Green. He's now 3-for-13 with two stolen bases and three runs scored in four games since being activated. |
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Makes full recovery
Mon, May 25, 2026, 10:36 PM
Nichols (undisclosed) was activated from the 7-day injured list Tuesday.
Analysis: The nature of Nichols' injury remains a mystery, but he's been cleared to rejoin Double-A Montgomery. The 23-year-old drew the start in Friday's matchup against Knoxville, allowing one run on two hits and three walks while striking out two across 1.2 innings. |
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Jonathan Aranda Jonathan Aranda Clubs ninth homer Monday
Mon, May 25, 2026, 5:26 PM
Aranda went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a double, a walk and an additional RBI in Monday's 9-7 extra-innings loss to the Orioles.
Analysis: Aranda snapped a 10-game homerless drought Monday, but he does have at least one extra-base hit in three of his past four contests. The first baseman has hit safely in 15 of his 21 outings during the month of May, adding to a strong campaign at the plate. Through 222 plate appearances, Aranda is slashing .268/.369/.464 with nine homers, nine doubles, 40 RBI and 29 runs scored. |
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Wander Franco Wander Franco Will not serve prison sentence
Mon, May 25, 2026, 5:18 PM
Franco has been declared criminally responsible for the sexual and psychological abuse of a minor but will not serve a prison sentence, ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: While Franco was found guilty of the crime, Dominican judge Jose Antonio Nunez determined that Franco was also a victim himself of extortion and blackmail by the minor's mother. As a result, Franco will not have to go to prison. Major League Baseball's own investigation into Franco remains active, and he could be subject to further discipline under the league's domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy. It remains unlikely that Franco plays major-league baseball again. |
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Shane McClanahan Shane McClanahan Bounces back in no-decision
Mon, May 25, 2026, 5:06 PM
McClanahan took a no-decision Monday against the Orioles, allowing no runs on three hits and two walks in 5.1 innings. He struck out three.
Analysis: After coughing up four runs in his last start against Baltimore, McClanahan got right back on track in Monday's rematch. The 29-year-old southpaw delivered his fifth scoreless outing in his last six appearances, scattering three singles on the afternoon, but the three strikeouts were a season low. McClanahan is set for another start later this week at home against the Angels, now holding a strong 2.52 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 50:19 K:BB over 50 innings. |
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