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Cedric Mullins Cedric Mullins Cranks fourth homer Wednesday
Wed, Jun 3, 2026, 4:20 PM
Mullins went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 7-2 loss to the Tigers.
Analysis: Mullins smashed his fourth homer of the year Wednesday, but he hasn't been very effective at the plate overall during his first year with the Rays. Through 202 plate appearances, the 31-year-old outfielder is slashing .186/.268/.288 with nine extra-base hits, 17 RBI, 10 stolen bases and 20 runs scored. Even so, Jonny DeLuca's (hamstring) multi-week absence should allow Mullins to play more often in center field for the time being. |
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Nick Martinez Nick Martinez Hit hard in loss to Detroit
Wed, Jun 3, 2026, 2:57 PM
Martinez (5-2) took the loss Wednesday, coughing up six runs on nine hits and a walk over four innings as the Rays were downed 7-2 by the Tigers. He struck out one.
Analysis: In his shortest outing of 2026, Martinez served up a solo shot to Jake Rogers in the second inning and a three-run blast to Dillon Dingler in the fourth before getting the hook after 58 pitches (40 strikes). It's the first time in 12 starts this season that Martinez has been taken deep multiple times and the first time he's been tagged for more than two runs. The loss also snaps a five-decision winning streak for the 35-year-old righty. Martinez will take a 2.29 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 42:13 K:BB through 70.2 innings into his next start, which is set to come at home early next week against the Red Sox. |
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Alex Cook Alex Cook Back from intercostal strain
Wed, Jun 3, 2026, 1:14 PM
Triple-A Durham activated Cook (intercostal) from the 7-day injured list May 23.
Analysis: Cook, after missing a little over two weeks of action due to an intercostal strain, has turned in back-to-back scoreless outings since returning to the mound. The 25-year-old right-hander has made 13 appearances (three starts) at the Triple-A level in 2026, posting a 5.02 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 16:7 K:BB covering 14.1 innings. |
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Hunter Feduccia Hunter Feduccia Taking seat Wednesday
Wed, Jun 3, 2026, 9:22 AM
Feduccia is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: After making three consecutive starts behind the dish while going 0-for-5 with two walks in those contests, Feduccia will be rested as the Rays conclude their series against the Tigers with a day game. Nick Fortes will handle the catching duties for Tampa Bay. |
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Taylor Walls Taylor Walls Not starting Wednesday
Wed, Jun 3, 2026, 9:20 AM
Walls (hamstring) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Walls exited Monday's 10-9 loss due to left hamstring tightness, though he described his removal from the contest as precautionary and said he felt "100 percent" ready to play if needed, per MLB.com. The Rays have nonetheless opted to hold Walls out of the lineup for the final two games of the series, though he may be available off the bench Wednesday. Ben Williamson will receive another start at shortstop in place of Walls. |
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Steven Matz Steven Matz Mauled by Tigers
Wed, Jun 3, 2026, 9:09 AM
Matz (4-3) took the loss Tuesday, coughing up five runs on six hits over 1.2 innings as the Rays were routed 8-0 by the Tigers. He struck out two without walking a batter.
Analysis: Gleyber Torres led off the game with a solo shot before Wenceel Perez added a two-run blast in the second, helping to chase Matz from the game after only 53 pitches (35 strikes). The southpaw's been tagged for 11 runs in his last two outings, ballooning his ERA from 3.70 to 5.48, and he hasn't won a game since late April. With Jesse Scholtens (wrist) on the IL and Joe Boyle still struggling to find his form at Triple-A Durham, however, Tampa Bay may have to stick with Matz in the rotation a little while longer. He lines up to make his next start at home early next week against the Red Sox. |
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Mason Englert Mason Englert Rejoining big club
Wed, Jun 3, 2026, 8:44 AM
The Rays recalled Englert from Triple-A Durham on Wednesday.
Analysis: Englert will provide the Rays' weary bullpen with a fresh arm heading into Wednesday's game against the Tigers, after Tampa Bay needed relievers to cover 12.2 innings between the first two contests of the series. Before being demoted May 9, the 26-year-old righty made a 3.1-inning bulk-relief appearance in his last outing with the Rays, and he had since settled into a starting role with Durham. Over his three starts prior to his call-up, Englert posted a 4.70 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 14:3 K:BB in 15.1 innings. |
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Trevor Martin Trevor Martin Demoted to Triple-A
Wed, Jun 3, 2026, 8:38 AM
The Rays optioned Martin to Triple-A Durham on Wednesday.
Analysis: Martin yielded two earned runs on four hits and one walk while striking out a batter in a three-inning, 43-pitch relief appearance in Monday's 10-9 loss to the Tigers. As a result of the hefty workload, Martin wasn't available for Tuesday's game and likely wasn't going to be an option for Wednesday's series finale, either. The Rays will swap him off the active roster for a fresh arm in Mason Englert, who was recalled from Triple-A in a corresponding move. |
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Jonathan Heasley Jonathan Heasley Placed on big-league IL
Tue, Jun 2, 2026, 9:00 PM
Heasley was returned to the major-league roster and placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with a right elbow stress reaction.
Analysis: Heasley was outrighted to Triple-A Durham on Saturday, but because he suffered his injury during his time with the Rays, he'll be placed on the Rays' 15-day injured list and also reclaim a spot on the 40-man roster. The 29-year-old righty gave up five earned runs in four innings during his lone outing with Tampa and will likely be outrighted to Triple-A again once he's healthy. |
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Taylor Walls Taylor Walls Not in Tuesday's lineup
Tue, Jun 2, 2026, 5:18 PM
Walls (hamstring) is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Tigers, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Analysis: The shortstop was removed from Monday's game as a precautionary measure due to hamstring tightness, and he'll be held out of the starting nine for at least one game. Ben Williamson is stepping in at shortstop Tuesday in Walls' stead. |
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Chandler Simpson Chandler Simpson Back at leadoff Tuesday
Tue, Jun 2, 2026, 2:48 PM
Simpson (mouth) is starting in left field and batting leadoff Tuesday against the Tigers, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Analysis: The 25-year-old departed Monday's contest due to a busted lip after his helmet popped off and hit him in the face while he was running the bases, but he's back in the starting nine a day later. Simpson hit out of the No. 5 hole the past four games but will return to the leadoff spot, where he has a .271/.305/.323 slash line in 142 plate appearances this season. |
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Griffin Jax Griffin Jax Stumbles in fourth loss
Tue, Jun 2, 2026, 11:11 AM
Jax (1-4) took the loss Monday against the Tigers, allowing six runs on seven hits and one walk in four innings. He struck out five.
Analysis: Jax was trending up since joining Tampa Bay's starting rotation, but Monday's performance was a big step backward. After giving up two runs or fewer in each of his last six starts, the 31-year-old right-hander surrendered a season-worst seven hits (three home runs) and six runs. Jax will take a shaky 4.76 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 32:16 K:BB over 34 innings into his next scheduled outing over the weekend on the road against the Marlins. |
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Chandler Simpson Chandler Simpson Expected to play Tuesday
Mon, Jun 1, 2026, 9:12 PM
Manager Kevin Cash said after Monday's 10-9 loss to the Tigers that Simpson (mouth) is expected to play Tuesday against Detroit, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Analysis: Simpson was removed from Monday's contest after he sustained a busted lip when his helmet fell off and came up to strike him in the mouth. Simpson required stitches but is otherwise fine. He went 1-for-2 with a single prior to leaving Monday. |
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Taylor Walls Taylor Walls Being cautious with injury
Mon, Jun 1, 2026, 7:11 PM
Walls (hamstring) was removed from Monday's game against the Tigers in the third inning for precautionary reasons due to tightness in his left hamstring, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Tampa Bay removed Walls from the series opener Monday against Detroit for precautionary reasons regarding his left hamstring. The Rays are being cautious with Walls because he missed two games last week due to the same injury. |
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Chandler Simpson Chandler Simpson Leaves game Monday
Mon, Jun 1, 2026, 6:54 PM
Simpson was removed from Monday's game against Detroit due to a cut on his mouth, reports Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. He went 1-for-2 with a single prior to leaving the game.
Analysis: Simpson was advancing to second base when his helmet fell off and struck his mouth, causing the laceration and left him bloodied. Ryan Vilade replaced Simpson in left field and in the fifth spot of the lineup. |
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Taylor Walls Taylor Walls Pulled from Monday's game
Mon, Jun 1, 2026, 6:32 PM
Walls (undisclosed) was removed from Monday's game against the Tigers in the third inning, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Walls missed time last week due to a left hamstring injury, but it's unclear whether his removal from Monday's game is related to that same issue. Oliver Dunn will operate at shortstop in place of Walls for the rest of the contest. The Rays should provide an update on Walls during or shortly after the game. |
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Ryan Vilade Ryan Vilade Sitting in second straight game
Mon, Jun 1, 2026, 2:58 PM
Vilade is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Tigers, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: After a stretch of three straight starts in which he went 0-for-10 with a walk and three RBI, Vilade will hit the bench for a second straight day. Both of Vilade's absences have come against right-handed pitching, so he still appears to be stuck in a short-side platoon role even though the Rays' outfield depth has been further tested with Jonny DeLuca (hamstring) recently joining Jake Fraley (hernia) on the injured list. |
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Junior Caminero Junior Caminero Reaches base four times in win
Sun, May 31, 2026, 9:02 PM
Caminero went 2-for-3 with a run scored and two walks in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Angels.
Analysis: Although Caminero hasn't homered in 10 straight games, he has picked up multiple hits in three consecutive outings. The slugging third baseman has also hit safely in 12 of his last 13 contests. Through 247 plate appearances (56 games), Caminero is slashing a potent .278/.377/.500 with 13 home runs, eight doubles, 28 RBI and 34 runs scored. |
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Shane McClanahan Shane McClanahan Earns sixth win
Sun, May 31, 2026, 5:18 PM
McClanahan (6-2) earned the win against the Angels on Sunday, allowing one run on four hits and no walks with three strikeouts over five innings.
Analysis: McClanahan mostly cruised through five frames, throwing 51 of 70 pitches for strikes and generating eight whiffs. While workload restrictions will continue to limit his ceiling, the southpaw has now yielded one earned run or fewer in six of 11 outings this season while holding opponents to a .184 batting average. He'll carry a 2.45 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 53:19 K:BB across 55 innings into a road matchup against the Marlins next weekend. |
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Bryan Baker Bryan Baker Converts 16th save
Sun, May 31, 2026, 5:10 PM
Baker earned the save in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Angels, allowing one hit and no walks with one strikeout in a scoreless ninth innings.
Analysis: Baker was summoned to protect a three-run lead in the ninth inning and did so on just 11 pitches. The 31-year-old will finish May with nine saves in 10 opportunities while keeping opponents off the board in 12 of 14 appearances. He ranks third in the majors with 16 saves to go along with a 2.22 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 29:11 K:BB across 24.1 innings. |
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