| News |
|---|
|
Jesse Scholtens Jesse Scholtens Entering rotation Tuesday
Tue, Apr 14, 2026, 12:13 PM
Scholtens is slated to start Tuesday's game against the White Sox in Chicago.
Analysis: The 32-year-old righty will be making his first start in the majors since 2023, facing off against the team with whom he initially broke into the big leagues. He'll be taking over the rotation spot that previously belonged to Joe Boyle (elbow), who was placed on the injured list last week. Scholtens' lone prior appearance with Tampa Bay came against the Cubs last Wednesday, when he struck out four over 4.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen. |
|
Ryan Pepiot Ryan Pepiot Completes another side session
Mon, Apr 13, 2026, 10:54 AM
Pepiot (hip) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session Sunday, Marc Topkin of Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Pepiot's side session came two days after he tossed two innings of live batting practice. Assuming he checked out fine following Sunday's workout, Pepiot could be cleared to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment later this week. Since Pepiot hasn't pitched in a game setting since March 17 before he was shelved prior to Opening Day due to right hip inflammation, he may need more than one rehab start before the Rays bring him back from the injured list. |
|
Gavin Lux Gavin Lux Tweaks ankle on rehab assignment
Mon, Apr 13, 2026, 10:44 AM
Rays manager Kevin Cash said that Lux (shoulder) rolled his left ankle during an at-bat in a rehab game Saturday with Triple-A Durham, but the injury isn't "too severe," Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Lux has been on the shelf all season while recovering from a right shoulder impingement, but he now has a new injury to overcome before being cleared to make his Rays debut. While the ankle issue isn't considered a major concern and Lux is expected to resume his rehab assignment soon, the 28-year-old will need to pick up the pace at the dish before the Rays feel comfortable activating him from the 10-day injured list. Through his first nine games with Durham, Lux went just 3-for-29 (.103 average) with eight walks and 10 strikeouts. |
|
Mason Englert Mason Englert Earns first career save
Sun, Apr 12, 2026, 8:59 PM
Englert earned the save Sunday against the Yankees, allowing two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out one in his one inning work.
Analysis: With the Rays up by three and normal high-leverage relievers Griffin Jax and Bryan Baker likely unavailable since they both pitched on Friday and Saturday, it was Englert who was tasked with trying to wrap up the win. Things got dicey as two batters in, Aaron Judge cut the deficit to one with a home run. Later, the tying run got to second base and the go-ahead run to first, but Englert was able to slam the door from there and earn the first save of his career. In five appearances this season, the 26-year-old has a 10.57 ERA and a 2.22 WHIP in 7.2 innings of work. |
|
Drew Rasmussen Drew Rasmussen Fans seven in win
Sun, Apr 12, 2026, 8:51 PM
Rasmussen (1-0) earned the win Sunday against the Yankees, allowing
Analysis: Rasmussen was activated from the injured list just in time to start Sunday's contest, his first since becoming a dad to his second child. The 30-year-old showed no signs of rust all, twirling a gem in his return to the mound. The right-hander surrendered just one hit, walked nobody and struck out seven. His latest masterclass brings his season-long numbers down to a 1.13 ERA, 0.56 WHIP, 17 strikeouts and one walk against in 18 innings pitched. |
|
Chandler Simpson Chandler Simpson Enjoys three-hit day
Sun, Apr 12, 2026, 8:44 PM
Simpson went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and a RBI in Sunday's 5-4 win over the Yankees.
Analysis: It's early, but Simpson has been excellent at the top of the lineup for the Rays. On the season, the 25-year-old brought his slash line up to .411/.441./.482 after recording three more hits Sunday. It also extended his current hit streak out to eight games and keeps the amount of games he's been held without a hit to one contest so far. |
|
Ben Williamson Ben Williamson Heading to bench Sunday
Sun, Apr 12, 2026, 12:41 PM
Williamson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Yankees.
Analysis: Williamson had started in 10 of the past 11 games, but he'll take a seat Sunday while Taylor Walls and Richie Palacios form the Rays' middle-infield tandem. Once Gavin Lux (shoulder) is cleared to return from the 10-day injured list and take over as the Rays' primary second baseman against right-handed pitching, Williamson could move into a utility role and see his playing time drop. |
|
Nick Fortes Nick Fortes Getting breather Sunday
Sun, Apr 12, 2026, 12:39 PM
Fortes is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Yankees.
Analysis: After starting behind the plate both of the past two days, Fortes will receive a breather for Sunday's day game. Hunter Feduccia will handle catching duties for the Rays. |
|
Joe Rock Joe Rock Dispatched to minors
Sun, Apr 12, 2026, 9:19 AM
The Rays optioned Rock to Triple-A Durham on Sunday.
Analysis: He'll give up his spot on the 26-man active roster to right-hander Drew Rasmussen (personal), who was activated from the family medical emergency list ahead of his scheduled start Sunday against the Yankees. After being recalled from Triple-A on Friday, Rock didn't make any appearances out of the Tampa Bay bullpen over the first two games of the series with New York. |
|
Drew Rasmussen Drew Rasmussen Activated ahead of start
Sun, Apr 12, 2026, 9:14 AM
The Rays reinstated Rasmussen (personal) from the family medical emergency list ahead of his scheduled start Sunday against the Yankees at Tropicana Field.
Analysis: Rasmussen will be returning to the hill for his third start of the season and his first appearance since April 1. He had been previously been scheduled to start this past Tuesday against the Cubs, but he was scratched due to the imminent birth of his child. The Rays then placed Rasmussen on the paternity list before transferring him to the FME list Saturday, but he'll now be ready to pitch as Tampa Bay goes for a sweep of the Yankees. Tampa Bay optioned lefty Joe Rock to Triple-A Durham in order to reopen a spot on the 26-man active roster for Rasmussen. |
|
Cole Sulser Cole Sulser Escapes with win Saturday
Sat, Apr 11, 2026, 10:02 PM
Sulser (1-0) recorded the win Saturday against the Yankees, allowing one unearned run on one hit and no walks in the 10th inning.
Analysis: The Rays essentially used all of their other available high-leverage arms earlier in the game, which left them with Sulser to try and keep the game tied at 3-3 in the 10th inning. Jose Caballero single to drive in the automatic runner, so Sulser's ERA was unharmed. The right-hander has a 4.15 ERA, 1.73 WHIP and 7:4 K:BB with no holds or save chances over 8.2 innings. |
|
Bryan Baker Bryan Baker Charged with first blown save
Sat, Apr 11, 2026, 9:17 PM
Baker took a blown save Saturday against the Yankees, allowing two runs on two hits and one walk in one-third of an inning.
Analysis: Called upon to protect a 3-1 lead in the eighth inning, Baker was victimized by a Jose Caballero double that plated a pair of runs to tie up the game. The right-hander had been gaining steam as Tampa Bay's favorite for saves, having successfully converted each of the club's prior two save chances, but the Rays' closer committee is likely to remain in a state of flux until someone separates from the pack. Through six frames, Baker owns a 4.50 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 7:1 K:BB. |
|
Nick Martinez Nick Martinez Contains Yankees in no-decision
Sat, Apr 11, 2026, 8:53 PM
Martinez didn't factor into the decision Saturday against the Yankees, allowing one run on five hits and three walks in 4.2 innings. He struck out four.
Analysis: Martinez danced around plenty of trouble Saturday, working only one clean inning on the evening. The long ball remained an issue for the right-hander as well, as Martinez has now served up one home run in each of his first three starts of the season. Even so, Martinez has allowed two runs or fewer in each start en route to posting a 2.16 ERA and 0.96 WHIP across 16.2 frames, and he should be worthy of deep-league streaming consideration against the Pirates next weekend. |
|
Gavin Lux Gavin Lux Pulled from minor-league rehab game
Sat, Apr 11, 2026, 7:35 PM
Lux (shoulder) was removed from Saturday's rehab appearance with Triple-A Durham, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Lux hit a grounder to second in the fifth inning and appeared to get injured while running to first base. He exited with a trainer, but it's not immediately clear what issue he's dealing with. Lux has been recovering from a right shoulder impingement and had been nearing the end of a rehab assignment, as Saturday marked his eighth appearance with the Triple-A club. |
|
Chandler Simpson Chandler Simpson Riding pine Saturday
Sat, Apr 11, 2026, 1:25 PM
Simpson is not in the Rays' starting lineup against the Yankees on Saturday.
Analysis: The Yankees are deploying southpaw Max Fried to the mound for Saturday's contest, so the lefty-hitting Simpson will take a seat while Ryan Vilade starts in left field and bats second. Simpson has reached base safely in each of his 13 outings this season and has a .373/.407/.412 slash line with five steals (in seven attempts), five runs, one triple and three RBI across 54 plate appearances. |
|
Drew Rasmussen Drew Rasmussen Moved to FME list
Sat, Apr 11, 2026, 1:09 PM
The Rays transferred Rasmussen (personal) from the paternity list to the family medical emergency list Saturday.
Analysis: The move gives Rasmussen the option of spending an extra day away from the team, though he's still slated to start in Sunday's series finale against the Yankees, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Jesse Scholtens was recalled from Triple-A Durham to replenish the Rays' rotation after Joe Boyle (elbow) was placed on the 15-day IL, and he could start Sunday if Rasmussen is not available. |
|
Jesse Scholtens Jesse Scholtens Back with Tampa Bay
Sat, Apr 11, 2026, 1:04 PM
The Rays recalled Scholtens from Triple-A Durham on Saturday.
Analysis: Scholtens was called up by the Rays on Wednesday to serve in a long-relief role against the Cubs the same day, and he allowed four hits and one walk while striking out four across 4.2 scoreless innings. He was optioned to the minors Thursday, but he's back with the big club after Joe Boyle (elbow) was placed on the 15-day injured list. Scholtens has starting experience between the minors and majors and could see some spot starts in Tampa Bay's rotation for as long as Boyle is sidelined. |
|
Joe Boyle Joe Boyle Lands on 15-day IL
Sat, Apr 11, 2026, 12:58 PM
The Rays placed Boyle on the 15-day injured list Saturday, retroactive to Friday, due to a right elbow strain.
Analysis: Boyle likely picked up the injury during Wednesday's start against the Cubs, when he took the loss after allowing six runs (five earned) on four hits and three walks while striking out three across 4.1 innings. An MRI revealed a minor strain and some inflammation but no structural damage, and Rays manager Kevin Cash relayed to reporters Saturday that Boyle's placement on the 15-day IL is a "cautionary" move, per Ryan Bass of Rays.tv. Boyle is eligible to be activated off the IL in late April, though he'll undergo further tests to determine the severity of the injury and establish an estimated timeline to return. In a corresponding move, the Rays recalled right-hander Jesse Scholtens from Triple-A Durham. |
|
Chandler Simpson Chandler Simpson Overcomes fielding blunder
Fri, Apr 10, 2026, 9:45 PM
Simpson went 1-for-5 with two RBI during the Rays' 5-3 win over the Yankees on Friday.
Analysis: Although he wasn't credited with the error, Simpson's fielding gaff in the first inning resulted in an RBI triple for Amed Rosario to give the Yankees a 2-0 lead. Simpson made up for his mistake with RBI in the second and sixth inning on a fielder's choice and a single, respectively. He has recorded a hit in 12 of the first 13 games of the regular season and is slashing .373/.407/.412 with five steals (in seven attempts), one triple and three RBI over 54 plate appearances. |
|
Bryan Baker Bryan Baker Collects second save of 2026
Fri, Apr 10, 2026, 9:34 PM
Baker earned the save in Friday's 5-3 win over the Yankees, allowing two hits while striking out one batter in a scoreless ninth inning. He did not issue a walk.
Analysis: Baker got the call to the mound for the ninth inning to protect the Rays' two-run lead. He gave up back-to-back singles to open the frame before the two runners advanced to second and third on a fielder's choice, but Baker was able to escape with the save unscathed after striking out Randal Grichuk and getting Trent Grisham to pop out. Baker has collected two saves and a win over his last three outings and has allowed one run on three hits while striking out seven across five innings to open the season. |
Connect With Us:
