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Drew Rasmussen Drew Rasmussen Sharp again in no-decision
Sun, May 24, 2026, 3:50 PM
Rasmussen did not factor into the decision in Sunday's 2-0 loss to the Yankees. He allowed five hits and one walk while striking out six over seven scoreless innings.
Analysis: Rasmussen was excellent Sunday, blanking the Yankees for the second time already this season, though he'd ultimately come away with a no-decision in the Rays' shutout loss. The 30-year-old Rasmussen has held opponents to three earned runs or fewer in nine of his 10 starts this year. His ERA is down to 2.78 with a 0.98 WHIP and 51:10 K:BB across 55 innings. Rasmussen will look to keep rolling his next time out, currently lined to come at home against the Angels. |
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Richie Palacios Richie Palacios Sitting against lefty
Sun, May 24, 2026, 10:42 AM
Palacios is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Yankees, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Analysis: After starting in each of the Rays' last three games while going a collective 3-for-10 with a double, two walks, four RBI and a run, the left-handed-hitting Palacios will retreat to the bench while southpaw Ryan Weathers takes the hill for New York. Carson Williams will get the nod at second base Sunday and should continue to occupy the short side of a platoon with Palacios until Ben Williamson (back) returns from the injured list. |
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Victor Mesa Jr. Victor Mesa Jr. Called up by Tampa Bay
Sun, May 24, 2026, 10:01 AM
The Rays recalled Mesa from Triple-A Durham on Sunday.
Analysis: Mesa will join the Rays as a replacement on the active roster for Jonny DeLuca (hamstring), who was placed on the 10-day injured list. In DeLuca's absence, Mesa should see a fair amount of starts in the outfield, especially against right-handed pitching. He'll be on the bench for Sunday's game against the Yankees, however, with southpaw Ryan Weathers on the hill for New York. |
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Jonny DeLuca Jonny DeLuca Shelved with hamstring strain
Sun, May 24, 2026, 9:58 AM
The Rays placed DeLuca on the 10-day injured list Sunday due to a right hamstring strain.
Analysis: DeLuca strained his right hamstring while running the bases during Friday's 4-2 win over the Yankees. The 27-year-old outfielder will be eligible to return from the shelf June 3, but it's unclear if he'll have a shot at rejoining the Rays at that time. Victor Mesa was recalled from Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move and could work in a platoon in right field with Ryan Vilade while DeLuca is on the IL. |
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Drew Rasmussen Drew Rasmussen Rays-Yankees postponed
Sat, May 23, 2026, 8:15 AM
Rasmussen and the Rays won't face the Yankees on Saturday, as the game was postponed due to inclement weather, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Analysis: Saturday's contest will be made up during a doubleheader Sept. 22 in New York, and Rasmussen's next start will likely be pushed back to Sunday. The 30-year-old righty has already faced the Yankees once this season, giving up just one hit while striking out seven batters over six shutout innings April 12. |
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Bryan Baker Bryan Baker Earns 14th save
Fri, May 22, 2026, 9:34 PM
Baker earned the save in Friday's 4-2 win over the Yankees, allowing one hit and no walks with one strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.
Analysis: Baker was summoned to finish off a late Rays comeback and worked around a one-out walk to slam the door on 19 pitches. The 31-year-old has now converted three straight save chances after blowing a save May 13, and he owns a 1.80 ERA across 11 appearances in the month. On the year, he's 14-for-17 in save opportunities with a 2.53 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 25:9 K:BB across 21.1 innings. |
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Nick Martinez Nick Martinez Strong again in no-decision
Fri, May 22, 2026, 9:28 PM
Martinez did not factor into the decision in Friday's 4-2 win over the Yankees, allowing one run on nine hits and one walk with one strikeout over six innings.
Analysis: Martinez surrendered a solo homer in the fifth inning but otherwise kept the Yankees at bay despite allowing 11 hard-hit balls. It continued a fantastic run for the veteran, who has now yielded two earned runs or fewer in each of his 10 outings this season while logging six quality starts. He'll carry a sparkling 1.51 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 36:12 K:BB across 59.2 innings into a road matchup against the Orioles next week. |
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Jonny DeLuca Jonny DeLuca Likely IL bound
Fri, May 22, 2026, 9:25 PM
Manager Kevin Cash said that DeLuca suffered a hamstring injury during Friday's game against the Yankees and will likely be placed on the injured list, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: The severity of DeLuca's injury remains unclear, but the Rays have already determined that the situation warrants keeping him on the shelf for at least 10 days. Victor Mesa is expected to take DeLuca's place on the active roster, as he was removed from his game at Triple-A Durham shortly after DeLuca went down. |
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Victor Mesa Jr. Victor Mesa Jr. Promotion coming Saturday
Fri, May 22, 2026, 9:06 PM
Mesa is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Durham on Saturday, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.
Analysis: Mesa was removed early from his game at Durham on Friday and is reportedly on his way to join the big club in New York. It's unclear who he'll be replacing on the active roster, though it's worth noting that Jonny DeLuca was taken out of Friday's contest against the Yankees with a lower-body injury. Mesa has slashed .318/.416/.545 with two homers, seven RBI and 12 runs scored across 77 plate appearances at Triple-A this season. |
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Jonny DeLuca Jonny DeLuca Exits with injury
Fri, May 22, 2026, 8:07 PM
DeLuca was removed from Friday's game against the Yankees with an apparent lower-body injury, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: DeLuca appeared to tweak something while running from first to third on Cedric Mullins' double in the seventh inning. It's unclear what exactly he's dealing with, but the Rays could have an update on his status after the game. If the 27-year-old has to miss any time, Ryan Vilade would likely be the next man up to replace DeLuca as Tampa Bay's right fielder. |
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Yandy Diaz Yandy Diaz Returns to lineup Friday
Fri, May 22, 2026, 3:22 PM
Diaz (hand) is back in the lineup at designated hitter and hitting fourth Friday against the Yankees, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Analysis: Diaz was hit on the hand by a pitch Tuesday against the Orioles and was out of the lineup Wednesday ahead of Thursday's off day. He's now good to go against Gerrit Cole on Friday. Diaz has a current six-game hitting streak. He's gone 11-for-24 (.458) with three doubles, three homers, 10 RBI, seven runs scored and three walks during that span. |
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Hunter Feduccia Hunter Feduccia Pops first homer
Wed, May 20, 2026, 3:50 PM
Feduccia 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Orioles.
Analysis: The backstop took Shane Baz deep in the second inning, Tampa Bay's only offense until they erupted for four runs in the eighth to steal a win. It was Feduccia's first long ball of the year, and he's slashing .278/.365/.370 through 54 plate appearances on the season as he makes a push to take over the top catching job with the Rays. |
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Ian Seymour Ian Seymour Notches second save
Wed, May 20, 2026, 3:48 PM
Seymour worked a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his second save of the season in a 5-3 win over the Orioles. He didn't strike out a batter.
Analysis: The southpaw has worked his way into a high-leverage role for the Rays, collecting two saves, two holds and a win over his last seven appearances dating back to May 6 while posting a 3.52 ERA, 0.65 WHIP and 8:1 K:BB in 7.2 innings. Bryan Baker was unavailable after pitching in three of the prior four games, but Garrett Cleavinger hasn't been used since Sunday, suggesting that Seymour may be the next man up in closing situations for manager Kevin Cash. |
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Jesse Scholtens Jesse Scholtens Nabs win in long relief
Wed, May 20, 2026, 3:43 PM
Scholtens (5-2) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing two runs on six hits and a walk over four innings of relief in a 5-3 victory over the Orioles. He struck out four.
Analysis: Steven Matz was activated from the IL earlier in the day to get the start, but he wound up working in tandem with Scholtens as each pitcher tossed four innings. The right-hander pocketed the decision when the Rays rallied for four runs in the bottom of the eighth. It's not clear if the duo will continue to piggyback, or if Tampa Bay will now shift to a six-man rotation. Scholtens has been effective however he's been deployed this season, and over eight appearances (two starts) he sports a 3.22 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 29:11 K:BB through 36.1 innings. |
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Steven Matz Steven Matz Works in tandem in return
Wed, May 20, 2026, 3:37 PM
Matz didn't factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over four innings in the Rays' 5-3 victory over the Orioles. He struck out five.
Analysis: Making his first start since May 3 after recovering from a bout of elbow inflammation, Matz was lifted after 67 pitches (41 strikes) and wound up working in a tandem arrangement with Jesse Scholtens, who got the win while tossing four innings of relief. Matz wasn't expected to have any significant workload restrictions, so it's not clear if he'll continue to piggyback with Scholtens, or if Tampa Bay will shift to a six-man rotation. Regardless of his role or when his next outing will happen, Matz's 3.70 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 33:15 K:BB through 41.1 innings on the season will give him some fantasy appeal in deeper formats. |
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Yandy Diaz Yandy Diaz Out of lineup after HBP
Wed, May 20, 2026, 9:03 AM
Diaz (hand) is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest versus the Orioles.
Analysis: Diaz departed Tuesday's game after being hit on both hands by a pitch. An X-ray and CT scan came back negative, per Ryan Bass of Rays.tv, but it's no surprise that Diaz is on the bench for Wednesday's afternoon game, particularly with a team off day looming Thursday. Jonathan Aranda will occupy the designated-hitter spot and Ryan Vilade will start at first base in the series finale. |
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Oliver Dunn Oliver Dunn Summoned to big leagues
Wed, May 20, 2026, 8:40 AM
Tampa Bay selected Dunn to the major-league roster Wednesday, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Analysis: Just one day after acquiring Dunn in a trade with the White Sox, the Rays will add the 28-year-old utility player to the 40-man roster and 26-man active roster. Dunn has posted a weak .551 OPS over 55 games at the big-league level with Milwaukee over the past two seasons, but he had been a standout performer at Triple-A Charlotte thus far in 2026, slashing .295/.393/.545 with nine home runs and nine stolen bases over 183 plate appearances. Dunn will provide the Rays with a left-handed-hitting option off the bench who's capable of playing three infield spots as well as left field. |
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Chase Solesky Chase Solesky Heading back to minors
Wed, May 20, 2026, 8:36 AM
The Rays optioned Solesky to Triple-A Durham on Wednesday, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Analysis: Solesky made his major-league debut Monday versus the Orioles, allowing two runs over three innings in a long-relief appearance. He's clearing out to make space on the roster for the return of Steven Matz (elbow). |
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Ben Williamson Ben Williamson Shelved with back strain
Wed, May 20, 2026, 8:35 AM
Tampa Bay placed Williamson on the 10-day injured list Wednesday due to a low back strain, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Analysis: Williamson's stint on the IL will be retroactive to Sunday, as he hadn't played since Friday while tending to the back injury. Tampa Bay added Oliver Dunn to the 26-man active roster in a corresponding move to bolster their infield depth, but Carson Williams is the most likely candidate to serve as Williamson's replacement as the right-handed-hitting option of a platoon at second base with Richie Palacios. |
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Steven Matz Steven Matz Activated ahead of start Wednesday
Wed, May 20, 2026, 8:30 AM
Tampa Bay reinstated Matz (elbow) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday against the Orioles, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Analysis: After Tampa Bay deactivated him May 5 due to left elbow inflammation, Matz ended up spending the minimum amount of time on the shelf. Following his placement on the IL, Matz took just a few days off from throwing before getting back on the mound, so he shouldn't be operating with any major restrictions as he slots back into the Tampa Bay rotation. Prior to being shelved, Matz went 4-1 with a 3.86 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 28:13 K:BB in 37.1 innings through his first seven starts of the season. |
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