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Bryan Baker Bryan Baker Survives for seventh save
Mon, Apr 27, 2026, 10:27 PM
Baker notched the save Monday against the Guardians, allowing two hits and one walk in a scoreless ninth inning. He struck out two.
Analysis: The right-hander did allow the possible tying and go-ahead runs to get into scoring position, but he was able to get two clutch strikeouts to finish off Cleveland. With Edwin Uceta (shoulder) out for at least another month and Griffin Jax quickly falling out of favor as the Rays' closer, Baker is solidifying his grip as Tampa Bay's primary ninth-inning option. Through 11.1 frames, Baker owns a 3.18 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB while converting seven of his nine save chances. |
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Steven Matz Steven Matz Seven strong innings in fourth win
Mon, Apr 27, 2026, 10:07 PM
Matz (4-1) notched the win Monday against the Guardians, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk in seven innings. He struck out two.
Analysis: Matz did serve up a two-run home run to Daniel Schneemann in the fifth inning, but it was smooth sailing otherwise for the hurler. The 34-year-old southpaw turned in his longest outing of the campaign so far, though the two strikeouts did match a season low. Matz has been serviceable for the Rays during his transition back into a starter, posting a 4.31 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 27:11 K:BB over 31.1 frames, and he should hold onto streaming appeal with a home start against the Giants on tap for this weekend. |
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Garrett Cleavinger Garrett Cleavinger Tracking toward weekend return
Mon, Apr 27, 2026, 4:03 PM
Rays manager Kevin Cash said Monday that Cleavinger (calf) is on track to rejoin the active roster "closer to the weekend," Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Analysis: Cleavinger has already made four rehab appearances with Triple-A Durham but has been shaky, yielding four runs with a 4:5 K:BB. The Rays want him to have a couple more rehab outings to sharpen things up before activating the reliever this weekend. Cleavinger has been out since late March with right calf tightness. |
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Richie Palacios Richie Palacios Losing out on starts to Williamson
Mon, Apr 27, 2026, 2:41 PM
Palacios is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Guardians, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Analysis: Palacios will hit the bench for the fourth time in five games, with two absences coming against right-handed starters and the other two coming against lefties. He had previously been occupying the strong side of a platoon at second base with Ben Williamson, but the left-handed-hitting Palacios may be in line for only a part-time role against righties while Williamson has been productive at the dish of late. Both Williamson and Palacios are likely to see their playing time at the keystone take a hit once Gavin Lux (shoulder/ankle) is deemed ready to return from the 15-day injured list. |
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Ben Williamson Ben Williamson Drawing fifth straight start
Mon, Apr 27, 2026, 2:31 PM
Williamson will start at second base and bat seventh in Monday's game against the Guardians, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Analysis: After going 5-for-15 with a pair of extra-base hits and a walk over the previous four contests, Williamson will stick in the starting nine for a fifth straight game. The Rays have faced three right-handed starters and two lefties during that stretch, so Williamson could be moving into more of a full-time role after having more recently been deployed in the short side of a platoon at second base with the left-handed-hitting Richie Palacios. Both Williamson and Palacios will likely see their opportunities at the keystone diminish once Gavin Lux (shoulder/ankle) is activated from the 10-day injured list. |
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Chandler Simpson Chandler Simpson Collects ninth steal of 2026
Sun, Apr 26, 2026, 3:54 PM
Simpson went 3-for-4 with a steal and a run scored during the Rays' 4-2 win over the Twins on Sunday.
Analysis: Simpson collected his ninth steal of the season in the third before coming home two batters later on a two-run double from Jonathan Aranda. Simpson is now tied for the third-most steals in the majors behind Jose Caballero and Jose Ramirez (11 each). Simpson has reached base safely in nine consecutive games, and over that span he has gone 10-for-37 (.270) with three walks and two RBI, though all 10 of those hits were singles. |
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Yandy Diaz Yandy Diaz Belts two-run shot Sunday
Sun, Apr 26, 2026, 3:50 PM
Diaz went 1-for-3 with a walk and a two-run home run during the Rays' 4-2 win over the Twins on Sunday.
Analysis: The Rays did all of their scoring damage off Simeon Woods Richardson in the fourth, with Diaz's two-run shot serving as the exclamation point in the frame. It was Diaz's fourth home run of the season and first since April 10 against the Yankees. The veteran slugger is off to a strong start to the 2026 season, slashing .337/.425/.500 with 20 RBI and 16 runs scored across 120 plate appearances. |
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Bryan Baker Bryan Baker Earns sixth save of season
Sun, Apr 26, 2026, 3:33 PM
Baker logged his sixth save of the season Sunday in the Rays' 4-2 win over the Twins, striking out one batter in a scoreless ninth inning.
Analysis: Baker got two of the three batters he faced in the ninth to ground out, and sandwiched between was a punchout of Royce Lewis. Baker has logged saves in back-to-back outings and is up to six on the season, which is tied for second most in the American League behind David Bednar (seven). Baker has a 3.48 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 11:3 K:BB across 10.1 innings this season. |
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Jesse Scholtens Jesse Scholtens Picks up win against Minnesota
Sun, Apr 26, 2026, 3:29 PM
Scholtens (2-1) earned the win against the Twins on Sunday, allowing two runs on three hits and three walks while striking out one batter across 4.1 innings.
Analysis: Griffin Jax served as the Rays' opener for Sunday's game, tossing 2.1 scoreless innings before handing the reins over to Scholtens. The latter kept the Twins off the board from the third to the sixth inning before yielding a two-run home run to Brooks Lee, but those were the only runs that Scholtens and the rest of the Rays' pitching staff yielded in the win. Scholtens now sits at a 3.20 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB across 19.2 innings this season. He's tentatively lined up to face the Giants next weekend, though it's unclear whether he'll get the start or follow Jax. |
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Griffin Jax Griffin Jax Fans two as Tampa Bay's opener
Sun, Apr 26, 2026, 3:21 PM
Jax did not factor into the decision in Sunday's game against the Twins. He allowed one hit and one walk while striking out two across 2.1 innings.
Analysis: Jax was effective as the Rays' opener in Sunday's series finale, tossing 20 strikes on 31 pitches (64.5 percent) while generating seven whiffs to set up Jesse Scholtens, the latter of whom was credited with the win. Jax now sits at a 6.35 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 12:8 K:BB across 11.1 innings this season. Scholtens is tentatively slated to pitch next weekend at home against the Giants, and it's possible the Jax opens that game as well. |
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Bryan Baker Bryan Baker Leads TB with five saves
Sun, Apr 26, 2026, 11:21 AM
Baker recorded his fifth save of the season Friday against the Twins, striking out one while retiring all three batters he faced in the 6-2 victory.
Analysis: It didn't seem like the right-hander would be needed Friday given the five-run advantage, but Trevor Martin surrendered a homer, a single and a double to begin the ninth inning to create the save situation. Baker escaped the jam with minimal fanfare, throwing 14 of his 18 pitches for strikes as he retired the next three hitters. The 31-year-old has converted five of seven save chances and has a 3.86 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 10:3 K:BB over 9.1 innings this year while stepping in as the Rays' primary closer. |
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Trevor Martin Trevor Martin Sent down to minors
Sun, Apr 26, 2026, 9:27 AM
Tampa Bay optioned Martin to Triple-A Durham on Sunday, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Analysis: Martin got his first call-up to the majors Monday and logged three appearances with the big-league club, allowing three earned runs on six hits while posting a 4:1 K:BB over 4.1 innings. He's headed back to Triple-A to make room on the active roster for Casey Legumina, who the Rays acquired in a trade with Seattle on Friday. |
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Casey Legumina Casey Legumina Added to 40-man roster
Sun, Apr 26, 2026, 9:22 AM
The Rays activated Legumina on Sunday, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Analysis: Tampa Bay acquired Legumina from Seattle on Friday and will now give the right-hander a spot in the bullpen. Legumina posted a 4.63 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 9:3 K:BB over 11.2 innings spanning eight appearances for the Mariners prior to the trade. The Rays optioned reliever Trevor Martin to Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move. |
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Jake Fraley Jake Fraley Homers in return to lineup
Sat, Apr 25, 2026, 7:02 PM
Fraley went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in Saturday's 6-1 win over the Twins.
Analysis: Fraley gave the Rays a 2-0 lead they wouldn't relinquish with a 401-foot blast in the fourth inning. He was later replaced by Jonny DeLuca, who entered to face lefty Taylor Rogers in the seventh. On the season, the 30-year-old Fraley is slashing .240/.309/.440 with two homers, four RBI, four runs scored and two steals across 55 plate appearances. |
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Ben Williamson Ben Williamson Three-hit effort in win
Sat, Apr 25, 2026, 6:55 PM
Williamson went 3-for-4 with a double, a triple, two RBI and one run scored in Saturday's 6-1 win over the Twins.
Analysis: Williamson provided damage late, lacing an RBI triple in the seventh inning before driving in another run with a double in the eighth. The 25-year-old has drawn back-to-back starts against righties and is in the lineup more often than not in the Rays' middle infield. On the year, he's slashing .261/.338/.362 with five doubles, one triple, 10 RBI, 13 runs scored and two steals across 78 plate appearances. |
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Shane McClanahan Shane McClanahan Blanks Twins in win
Sat, Apr 25, 2026, 6:46 PM
McClanahan (2-2) earned the win against the Twins on Saturday, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out seven over five scoreless innings.
Analysis: McClanahan cruised through five frames, throwing 60 of 86 pitches for strikes while generating 15 whiffs and limiting the Twins to only singles. While the southpaw has yielded two earned runs or fewer in four of five outings this season, he has yet to pitch beyond the fifth inning as he continues to ease his way back from a lengthy absence. He owns a 3.91 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 25:13 K:BB across 23 innings and lines up for a home matchup against the Giants next weekend. |
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Jesse Scholtens Jesse Scholtens Following Jax on Sunday
Sat, Apr 25, 2026, 6:45 PM
Scholtens will operate in a bulk relief role in Sunday's series finale against the Twins, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: The Rays will opt to use Griffin Jax as the opener for Sunday's contest, with Scholtens following suit. Scholtens made his first start of the season against the Reds this past Monday, when he took the loss after allowing five runs while striking out six across 5.2 innings without issuing a walk. The 32-year-old right-hander has a 2.93 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB across 15.1 innings this season. |
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Griffin Jax Griffin Jax Serving as Sunday's opener
Sat, Apr 25, 2026, 6:42 PM
Jax will serve as the Rays' opener for Sunday's series finale against the Twins, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Jesse Scholtens was originally slated to start in Sunday's game, but he'll instead follow Jax in a bulk relief role. Jax has given up at least one earned run in two of his last three outings and has an 8.00 ERA, 1.89 WHIP two holds and a 10:7 K:BB across nine innings this season. |
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Taylor Walls Taylor Walls Idle Saturday
Sat, Apr 25, 2026, 12:53 PM
Walls isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Minnesota, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Walls will get a day to clear his head after going just 1-for-21 at the plate with nine strikeouts over his last six games. Ben Williamson will take over at shortstop Saturday and bat sixth. |
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Jake Fraley Jake Fraley Back in lineup
Sat, Apr 25, 2026, 12:51 PM
Fraley (shin) will start in right field and bat fifth Saturday against the Twins, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Fraley missed the Rays' last two games after fouling a pitch off his leg Tuesday, but he's now feeling well enough to return to the starting nine. The 30-year-old outfielder has collected a hit in six of his last eight games and is slashing .261/.320/.435 with a homer, two RBI and two runs in that span. |
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