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Taylor Walls Taylor Walls Taking seat Monday
Mon, Jun 22, 2026, 1:49 PM
Walls is not in the lineup for Monday's tilt against the Royals.
Analysis: The Rays will go with Ben Williamson at shortstop in the series opener. Walls had started each of the previous six contests. |
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Hunter Feduccia Hunter Feduccia Absent from lineup
Mon, Jun 22, 2026, 1:48 PM
Feduccia is absent from the lineup for Monday's game versus the Royals.
Analysis: Righty Michael Wacha starts for the Royals and is better against lefties, which at least partly explains why the lefty-swinging Feduccia is not in the lineup. Nick Fortes will do the catching for the Rays. |
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Cedric Mullins Cedric Mullins Out of Monday's lineup
Mon, Jun 22, 2026, 1:44 PM
Mullins is not in the lineup for Monday's contest versus the Royals.
Analysis: The Royals' starting pitcher, Michael Wacha, has reverse splits, which is why the left-handed-hitting Mullins will begin the game on the bench. Jonny DeLuca will cover center field and Ryan Vilade will be in right field for the Rays. |
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Jonny DeLuca Jonny DeLuca Homers again Sunday
Sun, Jun 21, 2026, 9:17 PM
DeLuca went 2-for-4 with a double, a two-run home run and three RBI in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Nationals.
Analysis: After striking out in each of his first two plate appearances, DeLuca doubled in the fifth inning and later delivered the game's biggest hit, launching a two-run homer off Orlando Ribalta in the seventh to give Tampa Bay the eventual winning runs. The outfielder has wasted little time making an impact since returning from the injured list, going 3-for-8 (.375) with two homers and three RBI across his first eight plate appearances back in the lineup. Before the hamstring injury, DeLuca was batting .269 with 2 homers and 19 rbi across 41 contests. |
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Kevin Kelly Kevin Kelly Locks down third save
Sun, Jun 21, 2026, 8:55 PM
Kelly earned the save Sunday against the Nationals, allowing one hit while striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning of the 4-3 win.
Analysis: With Bryan Baker having worked the ninth inning Saturday, Kelly got the call to protect a one-run lead Sunday. The right-hander allowed a leadoff single to Daylen Lile, but Lile was caught stealing between strikeouts of the next two batters, helping Kelly secure his third save of the season. The veteran has been reliable lately, posting scoreless appearances in 23 of his last 25 outings. During that stretch, Kelly has recorded a sparkling 1.33 ERA while collecting 13 holds. |
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Nick Martinez Nick Martinez Delivers another quality start
Sun, Jun 21, 2026, 8:43 PM
Martinez did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Nationals, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks while striking out five over six innings.
Analysis: Martinez threw 57 of his 88 pitches for strikes while recording his fifth quality start in his last seven appearances. The veteran right-hander was hurt by extra-base damage, as three of the four hits he allowed went for extra bases, including a solo homer by CJ Abrams in the sixth inning. Martinez exited in line for the loss before Tampa Bay rallied late to erase the deficit and ultimately secure the victory. The 35-year-old continues to provide steady production and will carry a 2.73 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 55:17 K:BB into his next scheduled start at home against Arizona. |
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Moving up to Double-A
Sun, Jun 21, 2026, 7:58 PM
Gillen was promoted to Double-A Montgomery on Sunday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Gillen will move up to Double-A after posting an impressive .342 average with 12 home runs, 44 RBI, 53 runs scored and 28 stolen bases over 219 at-bats in 57 contests with High-A Bowling Green this season. The 20-year-old is considered to be one of Tampa Bay's top overall prospects, and he'll have a shot to climb to the Triple-A level before the end of the year. |
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Michael Grove Michael Grove Activated, sent to Triple-A
Sun, Jun 21, 2026, 1:35 PM
The Rays reinstated Grove (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list and optioned him to Triple-A Durham on Sunday.
Analysis: Tampa Bay will give Grove some more time in the minors to round into form following March 2025 surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. The 29-year-old had looked good over the course of his eight rehab appearances between the rookie-level Florida Complex League and Durham, compiling a 2.84 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 16:4 K:BB across 12.2 innings. |
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Victor Mesa Jr. Victor Mesa Jr. Idle against lefty
Sun, Jun 21, 2026, 12:14 PM
Mesa is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.
Analysis: The left-handed hitter will hit the bench for the second time in the series, as the Nationals send southpaw Andrew Alvarez to the hill Sunday. Mesa could struggle to find consistent playing time versus righties as well, after the Rays brought Jonny DeLuca back from the injured list Friday. Despite logging just nine of his 55 plate appearances against same-handed pitching since his May 24 call-up from Triple-A Durham, Mesa is slashing a meager .174/.296/.304 with two home runs, sevens runs and five RBI. |
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Cedric Mullins Cedric Mullins Exiting lineup vs. southpaw
Sun, Jun 21, 2026, 12:10 PM
Mullins is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.
Analysis: The left-handed-hitting Mullins will take a seat for the series finale while the Nationals send southpaw Andrew Alvarez to the bump. Jonny DeLuca will replace Mullins in center field and will bat second. |
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Richie Palacios Richie Palacios On bench against southpaw
Sun, Jun 21, 2026, 12:09 PM
Palacios is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.
Analysis: With left-hander Andrew Alvarez on the bump for the Nationals, Palacios will give way to platoon mate Ben Williamson at second base in the series finale. Palacios has logged just 26 plate appearances versus lefties on the season, slashing .250/.308/.333 in those matchups. |
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Hunter Feduccia Hunter Feduccia Taking seat Sunday
Sun, Jun 21, 2026, 12:07 PM
Feduccia is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.
Analysis: After drawing starts behind the plate the past three games while going 1-for-5 with a double, two walks and two runs, Feduccia will retreat to the bench for the series finale. Nick Fortes will receive the nod at catcher and bat eighth. |
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Jacob Melton Jacob Melton Mashing during rehab assignment
Sat, Jun 20, 2026, 10:34 PM
Melton (ankle) has gone 6-for-11 (.545) with a home run, three RBI, five runs scored and two stolen bases over five games during a rehab assignment in the rookie-level Florida Complex League.
Analysis: Melton, who suffered Grade 2 left ankle sprain back in late April, has since commenced a rehab assignment and is showing no signs of rust. The 25-year-old outfielder is one of Tampa Bay's top prospects, and he should rejoin Triple-A Durham sometime before the end of June if all continues to go well in his recovery. |
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Junior Caminero Junior Caminero Reaches four times in loss
Sat, Jun 20, 2026, 10:26 PM
Caminero went 3-for-3 with an RBI, a run scored and a walk in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Nationals.
Analysis: Caminero extended his on-base streak to 11 games Saturday, picking up three hits for the third time this year as well. After working from hitter-friendly Steinbrenner Field half the time in 2025, the 22-year-old third baseman has shown no ill effects from Tampa Bay's move back to pitcher-friendly Tropicana Field in 2026. Caminero has a 1.014 OPS at home versus a .746 OPS on the road, slashing .284/.378/.491 with 15 home runs, 12 doubles, 34 RBI and 44 runs scored over 320 plate appearances overall. |
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Yandy Diaz Yandy Diaz Continues racking up hits
Sat, Jun 20, 2026, 10:19 PM
Diaz went 2-for-4 with an RBI, a run scored and a walk in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Nationals.
Analysis: Diaz rattled off his third consecutive multi-hit effort Saturday. The 34-year-old designated hitter is pushing for his second career All-Star nod in 2026, slashing a robust .322/.401/.504 with 12 home runs, 11 doubles, 48 RBI and 37 runs scored across 309 plate appearances. Among qualifiers, Diaz ranks first in the American League in batting average. |
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Taylor Walls Taylor Walls Swipes two bags in loss
Sat, Jun 20, 2026, 7:29 PM
Walls went 1-for-2 with a double, two walks, one run scored and two stolen bases in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Nationals.
Analysis: Walls made things interesting in the ninth inning, leading off the frame with a walk before swiping two bases and scoring a run to pull the Rays within one. While the 29-year-old's double was his first extra-base hit in 14 June contests, he's now stolen six bases in the month. On the year, he's slashing .218/.321/.285 with nine extra-base hits (no homers), 18 RBI, 24 runs scored and 12 steals across 199 plate appearances. |
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Ian Seymour Ian Seymour Posts season-high workload in loss
Sat, Jun 20, 2026, 6:37 PM
Seymour (3-1) took the loss against the Nationals on Saturday, allowing three runs on seven hits and no walks with four strikeouts over five innings.
Analysis: Seymour allowed two runs in the second inning and one in the fifth while logging five frames for the first time this season. He threw 57 strikes on a season-high 81 pitches and generated nine whiffs. The 27-year-old owns a 4.98 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 45:19 K:BB across 43.1 innings this season while making three starts and 26 relief appearances. If he remains in the rotation, he'll line up for a home matchup against the Royals next week. |
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Jonny DeLuca Jonny DeLuca On bench Saturday
Sat, Jun 20, 2026, 12:47 PM
DeLuca isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Nationals, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: DeLuca blasted a solo home run during his first game back from the injured list Friday, but the Rays will hold him out of the starting nine Saturday as they look to ease him back into regular playing time. Victor Mesa will fill in as Tampa Bay's right fielder and bat seventh. |
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Jonny DeLuca Jonny DeLuca Homers in return to lineup
Sat, Jun 20, 2026, 9:25 AM
DeLuca went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 5-2 win over the Nationals.
Analysis: Seeing his first big-league action since May 22 after missing about a month due to a hamstring strain, DeLuca made an immediate impact, wrapping up the scoring on the night by taking Miles Mikolas deep in the eighth inning. DeLuca was starting in right field and batting third in his return -- the first time he's hit third all season -- and he should be the Rays' primary option in right as long as he can stay healthy. Through 129 plate appearances on the year, he's slashing .268/.297/.431 with three homers, six steals, 18 runs and 20 RBI. |
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Bryan Baker Bryan Baker Notches 19th save
Sat, Jun 20, 2026, 9:22 AM
Baker struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his 19th save of the season in a 5-2 win over the Nationals.
Analysis: The right-hander is 19-for-22 in converting save chances on the year, an impressive showing for a pitcher who came into 2026 with four career saves and 11 blown saves over the prior four seasons combined while primarily working in middle relief or a setup role. Baker hasn't been charged with a run in 11 straight appearances, delivering a 0.64 WHIP and 10:3 K:BB in 11 innings over that stingy stretch to lower his ERA on the campaign to 1.84. |
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