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Jonathan Aranda Jonathan Aranda Racks up three RBI in victory
Tue, May 12, 2026, 2:34 AM
Aranda went 2-for-3 with a home run, two total runs and three total RBI in an 8-5 win over Toronto on Monday.
Analysis: Aranda got the scoring started with a sacrifice fly in the first inning, added a run-scoring single in the second and swatted a solo homer in the fifth. The 27-year-old had gone 11 games without a long ball coming into Monday, but he's otherwise been hot at the plate, slashing .469/.526/.594 with seven RBI through 10 games in May. Aranda has eight homers through 40 contests on the campaign, putting him well on pace to surpass the career-high 14 long balls he hit across 106 regular-season games in 2025. |
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Bryan Baker Bryan Baker Tallies another save
Tue, May 12, 2026, 2:23 AM
Baker earned a save against the Blue Jays on Monday, striking out two batters in a perfect ninth inning.
Analysis: Baker entered with a three-run lead in the ninth frame and didn't facilitate any drama, retiring the side in order on 11 pitches (nine strikes). Since giving up a run and blowing a save against the Pirates on April 18, the right-hander has racked up nine straight scoreless appearances spanning 8.1 innings, posting a 10:1 K:BB and notching seven saves in that span. Baker is tied for second in MLB with 11 total saves on the campaign and seems to have a very firm grasp on the Rays' closer role. |
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Drew Rasmussen Drew Rasmussen Continues strong campaign
Tue, May 12, 2026, 2:18 AM
Rasmussen (3-1) earned the win over Toronto on Monday, allowing three runs on four hits and one walk while striking out six batters over six innings.
Analysis: Rasmussen got an early boost from his offense, which quickly gave him a 5-0 lead. The right-hander served up a three-run homer to Andres Gimenez in the bottom of the second inning to allow Toronto to climb back into the contest, but that ended up being the final time the Blue Jays scored while Rasmussen was on the mound. The veteran hurler finished with his second straight quality start and third over his past four outings. Rasmussen has given up three or fewer runs in all but one of his eight starts, and he holds a strong 3.16 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 43:7 K:BB over 42.2 innings on the season. |
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Activated from MiLB IL
Mon, May 11, 2026, 10:43 PM
Johnson (back) was activated from the 7-day injured list May 5.
Analysis: Johnson made his Triple-A Durham debut Thursday after putting a lower-back strain behind him, and while he didn't work deep into the outing, he had his swing-and-miss stuff working. He allowed three hits and walked one while striking out five over 3.1 scoreless frames. |
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Chandler Simpson Chandler Simpson Exits early Monday
Mon, May 11, 2026, 9:39 PM
Simpson was removed from Monday's game against the Blue Jays due to an apparent leg cramp, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. He went 3-for-5 with three runs scored and two stolen bases prior to exiting.
Analysis: Simpson grounded out to second base in the top of the eighth inning and was replaced in the bottom of the frame by Jonny DeLuca. This doesn't appear to be a serious injury for Simpson, who was unlikely to start Tuesday against a southpaw, but it'll be worth keeping a close eye on his availability over the next day or so. |
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Ryan Vilade Ryan Vilade Hitting bench with righty on mound
Mon, May 11, 2026, 3:12 PM
Vilade is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Blue Jays.
Analysis: Vilade will retreat to the bench after he had started in each of the last four games, going a collective 2-for-11 with one walk. All of those starts came versus left-handed pitching, but the Rays have yet to show much inclination to give Vilade a full run of playing time against righties. |
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Ben Williamson Ben Williamson Sitting after six straight starts
Mon, May 11, 2026, 3:10 PM
Williamson is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Blue Jays.
Analysis: Williamson will retreat to the bench after he had started in each of the Rays' last six games. Five of those starts came against left-handed pitching, so despite his recent uptick in playing time, Williamson still appears to be viewed primarily as a platoon partner for the left-handed-hitting Richie Palacios at second base. |
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Nick Fortes Nick Fortes Taking seat Monday
Mon, May 11, 2026, 3:07 PM
Fortes is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Blue Jays.
Analysis: The Rays will give Fortes a breather after he started behind the plate in each of their last four games. Hunter Feduccia will enter the lineup as Fortes' replacement, catching and batting eighth in the series opener. |
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Justyn-Henry Malloy Justyn-Henry Malloy Stays in organization
Mon, May 11, 2026, 1:57 PM
The Rays outrighted Malloy to Triple-A Durham on Monday.
Analysis: Malloy passed through waivers unclaimed after being booted off the 40-man roster, and he will stick around in the organization as depth in the corner infield and outfield slots. The 26-year-old sports just a .128/.273/.266 over 132 plate appearances with Durham this season. |
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Griffin Jax Griffin Jax Drawing another start
Sun, May 10, 2026, 4:57 PM
Jax is slated to start Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays in Toronto, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Analysis: After making his first 11 appearances of the season as a reliever and recording no more than six outs in any of those contests, Jax has gradually gotten more stretched out while starting in his last three outings. He built up to 59 pitches and four innings in his most recent start Thursday in Boston, and if he's able to tack on another inning to his workload Wednesday, Jax will have a shot at qualifying for a win. The Rays haven't indicated whether Jax will remain in a starting role for the long haul, though the team will have a spot in the rotation available to him while both Steven Matz (elbow) and Joe Boyle (elbow) are stuck on the injured list. |
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Bryan Baker Bryan Baker Up to 10 saves
Sun, May 10, 2026, 4:36 PM
Baker earned the save in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Red Sox, working around a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning.
Analysis: Baker found himself in trouble Sunday after giving up a double and a walk to open the ninth, but he managed to get through the inning unscathed, extending his scoreless streak to 7.1 innings while converting his 10th save this season. Baker's ERA is down to 2.30 across 15.2 innings with a 0.89 WHIP and 17:4 K:BB. |
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Nick Martinez Nick Martinez Keeps rolling
Sun, May 10, 2026, 4:27 PM
Martinez (4-1) earned the win Sunday over the Red Sox, allowing a run on seven hits over 5.2 innings. He struck out three.
Analysis: Martinez was sharp again Sunday, as he held the Red Sox scoreless until the sixth inning. The veteran right-hander still hasn't allowed more than two runs in a start this season and he's held opponents to just three runs over 25.2 innings in his last four outings. Martinez's ERA is down to 1.70 through eight starts (47.2 innings) this season with a 1.06 WHIP and 31:10 K:BB. He's tentatively lined up to face the Marlins at home his next time out. |
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Richie Palacios Richie Palacios Hitting bench against lefty
Sun, May 10, 2026, 10:44 AM
Palacios is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Analysis: The left-handed-hitting Palacios will be left out of the starting nine for the fourth straight game while the Rays face off against a fourth consecutive left-handed starting pitcher (Payton Tolle). Platoon mate Ben Williamson will replace Palacios at second base and will bat third. |
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Jake Fraley Jake Fraley Idle against lefty again
Sun, May 10, 2026, 10:43 AM
Fraley is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Analysis: The left-handed-hitting Fraley will be left out of the starting nine for the fourth straight game while the Rays face off against a fourth consecutive left-handed starting pitcher (Payton Tolle). Jonny DeLuca will cover right field for the Rays in Fraley's stead. |
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Jonathan Aranda Jonathan Aranda Receiving afternoon off
Sun, May 10, 2026, 10:40 AM
Aranda is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Analysis: Aranda will exit the lineup for just the third time all season, with Rays manager Kevin Cash electing to give the left-handed batter the afternoon off while southpaw Payton Tolle takes the hill for Boston. Ryan Vilade will cover first base for Tampa Bay while Aranda sits. |
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Nick Martinez Nick Martinez Saturday's start rained out
Sat, May 9, 2026, 3:05 PM
Martinez and the Rays won't face the Red Sox on Saturday, as the game was postponed due to inclement weather, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.
Analysis: Saturday's game will be made up during a doubleheader July 17, and the Rays will likely push Martinez's next outing back to Sunday. The 35-year-old righty has been outstanding on the mound so far this season, posting a 1.71 ERA through 42 innings and allowing two or fewer runs in all seven of his starts. |
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Justyn-Henry Malloy Justyn-Henry Malloy Designated for assignment
Sat, May 9, 2026, 1:13 PM
The Rays designated Malloy for assignment Saturday.
Analysis: Malloy has been with Triple-A Durham since the beginning of the season but has struggled mightily, slashing just .128/.273/.266 over 132 plate appearances. His offensive woes will cost him his spot on the 40-man roster as the Rays make room for Aaron Brooks to join the big club. |
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Mason Englert Mason Englert Optioned to Triple-A
Sat, May 9, 2026, 1:06 PM
The Rays optioned Englert to Triple-A Durham on Saturday.
Analysis: Englert pitched 3.1 shutout innings in bulk relief Friday, giving up just two hits and striking out three batters in the process. The 26-year-old righty now owns a 5.63 ERA and 1.56 WHIP through 16 big-league innings this year and could be an option for additional long-relief opportunities in the future. Aaron Brooks was selected from Durham in a corresponding move. |
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Aaron Brooks Aaron Brooks Selected from Triple-A
Sat, May 9, 2026, 12:56 PM
The Rays selected Brooks' contract from Triple-A Durham on Saturday.
Analysis: Brooks has made two appearances at Durham this season, giving up eight earned runs on 12 hits and five walks while striking out five batters across 8.2 innings. Despite his poor performance, the Rays will bring the 36-year-old up presumably to serve in a long-relief role. Mason Englert was optioned to Durham to make room on the active roster, and Justyn-Henry Malloy was DFA'd to clear a 40-man spot. |
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Jesse Scholtens Jesse Scholtens Allows two homers in loss
Fri, May 8, 2026, 10:10 PM
Scholtens (3-2) took the loss against the Red Sox on Friday, allowing two runs on two hits and four walks with four strikeouts over 4.2 innings.
Analysis: Scholtens limited the Red Sox to just two hits despite struggling with his command throughout, though both were home runs. It was an improvement from the five-run loss he took in his only other start of the season April 20, and the 32-year-old has now yielded two earned runs or fewer in five of six outings while working mostly in bulk relief. Overall, he owns a 3.29 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 21:10 K:BB across 27.1 innings. If he draws another start, it would likely come in a road matchup against the Blue Jays next week. |
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