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Hunter Feduccia Hunter Feduccia Competing for top catcher spot
Tue, Feb 24, 2026, 11:12 PM
Feduccia went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins.
Analysis: The Rays have a fairly open competition for the top catcher gig ahead of the regular season, though the expectation for now is that the righty-hitting Nick Fortes will handle the primary spot to start the new year. That said, it's not out of the question that the lefty-hitting Feduccia could eventually carve out a strong-side platoon role behind the plate if he outperforms Fortes during spring training. |
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Yandy Diaz Yandy Diaz Goes yard in Grapefruit League
Tue, Feb 24, 2026, 11:04 PM
Diaz went 1-for-1 with a solo home run, two walks and an additional run scored in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins.
Analysis: Diaz crushed a career-high 25 homers in 2025, and he's off to a fast start in spring training. It'll be interesting to see how Tampa Bay's move back to pitcher-friendly Tropicana Field in 2026 might affect the 34-year-old first baseman's power numbers -- 18 of Diaz's long balls came from the more hitter-friendly George M. Steinbrenner Field last season. |
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Gavin Lux Gavin Lux Dealing with general soreness
Tue, Feb 24, 2026, 8:53 AM
Rays manager Kevin Cash said Tuesday that Lux has been held out of Grapefruit League games due to "overall spring training soreness," Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Cash added that Lux is fine, though it's unclear when the 28-year-old will be ready for his spring debut. Acquired via trade over the offseason, Lux is slated to take over as the Rays' primary second baseman this season. |
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Chandler Simpson Chandler Simpson On track for spring debut Friday
Tue, Feb 24, 2026, 8:50 AM
Rays manager Kevin Cash said Tuesday that Simpson (hamstring) is tentatively slated to make his Grapefruit League debut Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Simpson has been slowed early on in Rays camp by left hamstring tightness, but he appears to be making strides in his recovery. The speedy outfielder has plenty of time to ramp up for Opening Day, provided he can avoid setbacks. |
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Drew Rasmussen Drew Rasmussen Sharp in first spring outing
Mon, Feb 23, 2026, 10:40 PM
Rasmussen allowed one hit in two scoreless innings during Monday's Grapefruit League game against Boston. He struck out three.
Analysis: Rasmussen was very sharp in his first appearance of the spring, tossing 16 of his 23 pitches for strikes. Tampa Bay has already announced that Rasmussen is tabbed to start Opening Day, and the hope this season is that the Rays won't scale back his workload the way they did during the second half of last year. The right-hander should also benefit from the team moving back to pitcher-friendly Tropicana Field in 2026. |
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Jadher Areinamo Jadher Areinamo Set for MRI on hamstring
Mon, Feb 23, 2026, 10:53 AM
Rays manager Kevin Cash said Monday that Areinamo is slated to undergo further imaging on his right hamstring in the coming days and will likely miss "a little bit" of time, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Areinamo has had a history of soft-tissue injuries during his minor-league career, so the Rays will seemingly proceed cautiously with the 22-year-old infielder after he tweaked the hamstring during Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates. The Rays should have a clearer timeline for when Areinamo might be ready to play again once the results of the MRI are read. Tampa Bay added Areinamo to its 40-man roster over the winter, but he's expected to open the season at either Triple-A Durham or Double-A Montgomery. |
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Taylor Walls Taylor Walls Hopes to be back later this week
Mon, Feb 23, 2026, 8:58 AM
Rays manager Kevin Cash said Monday that Walls (oblique) "came in feeling really good today" and could return to Grapefruit League action later this week, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Walls had to be scratched from Sunday's game due to the injury, but the Rays appear optimistic it's just a minor setback. The veteran infielder is also coming back from last September's sports hernia surgery, though that hasn't limited him in camp. Walls is competing to start at shortstop for the Rays. |
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Jacob Melton Jacob Melton Encouraging start to spring
Sun, Feb 22, 2026, 7:04 PM
Melton went 1-for-3 with a solo home run during Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates.
Analysis: After joining the Rays this past offseason as part of the Brandon Lowe trade, Melton made a strong impression in his second game of the spring. While it looks like the 25-year-old outfielder is set to begin the year in a part-time role, a strong spring could increase Melton's chances of earning more frequent at-bats. It's worth mentioning Chandler Simpson is nursing a tight left hamstring, which further opens the door for Melton in the outfield for the time being. |
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Jadher Areinamo Jadher Areinamo Departs with hamstring issue
Sun, Feb 22, 2026, 1:23 PM
Areinamo was pulled from Sunday's Grapefruit League game against Pittsburgh due to right hamstring tightness, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Areinamo started at third base for the Rays on Sunday, but he was replaced by Logan Davidson in the third inning. Prior to exiting, Areinamo went 1-for-1 with a run scored. Tampa Bay is calling his removal precautionary. |
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Taylor Walls Taylor Walls Scratched from lineup Sunday
Sun, Feb 22, 2026, 11:25 AM
Walls was removed from the lineup for Sunday's Grapefruit League game versus Pittsburgh due to oblique tightness, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Walls had been set to make his first spring appearance, which would have also been his first game action since early September of last year after he ended the campaign on the 60-day IL due to sports hernia surgery. Walls' removal from the lineup Sunday was precautionary, but the Rays figure to take a cautious approach to his return. Raynel Delgado has taken Walls' place at shortstop and in the leadoff spot against the Pirates. |
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Taylor Walls Taylor Walls Making spring debut Sunday
Sun, Feb 22, 2026, 7:29 AM
Walls (sports hernia) will start at shortstop and bat leadoff in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Walls underwent sports hernia surgery in early September last year, ending his season after 101 games and 317 plate appearances. Despite a .195/.286/.298 career slash line over parts of five big-league seasons with the Rays, Walls may have the leg up on prospect Carson Williams for the starting job at shortstop thanks to his plus defense. |
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Shane McClanahan Shane McClanahan Faces live hitters
Sat, Feb 21, 2026, 10:50 AM
McClanahan (triceps) threw live batting practice Saturday, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.
Analysis: Saturday marked McClanahan's first time facing live hitters since July, when he made two rehab starts at Triple-A Durham before undergoing season-ending surgery. His session lasted just 16 pitches at roughly 80 percent intensity, but it's still a step in the right direction for the 28-year-old southpaw. He'll look to build his workload during spring training and aim to be part of the Rays' rotation when the regular season begins. |
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Jonny DeLuca Jonny DeLuca In Saturday's lineup
Sat, Feb 21, 2026, 9:22 AM
DeLuca (hamstring/quad) will start in center field and bat seventh during Saturday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.
Analysis: DeLuca ended the 2025 campaign on the 60-day IL with a right quad strain, but after a full offseason of recovery, he's ready to return to the field for the Rays' spring opener. As one of the team's few right-handed outfield bats, the 27-year-old figures to see regular action against southpaws this year. |
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Edwin Uceta Edwin Uceta MRI shows inflammation, impingement
Sat, Feb 21, 2026, 7:59 AM
An MRI on Uceta's shoulder revealed inflammation and what looks like a slight impingement, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: All things considered, this is good news for one of the Rays' top bullpen arms. Uceta will receive a cortisone shot, and the hope is that he can resume throwing in a week or so. He will be cutting it close for Opening Day, and Griffin Jax's draft price figures to climb as a result, though it does not sound like Uceta is currently in danger of missing extended regular-season action. |
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Edwin Uceta Edwin Uceta Undergoes MRI on injured shoulder
Fri, Feb 20, 2026, 10:22 AM
Uceta underwent an MRI on his injured right shoulder Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Uceta had a setback with the shoulder when he played catch Thursday, so he had imaging done and will see a doctor Friday. Even if he doesn't have any structural damage in the shoulder, it will take him time to get ramped up, putting his Opening Day availability in doubt. When healthy, Uceta is expected to be in the mix for saves in the Rays bullpen. |
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Chandler Simpson Chandler Simpson Nursing hamstring injury
Fri, Feb 20, 2026, 10:01 AM
Simpson will not play in the Rays' first several Grapefruit League games due to a tight left hamstring, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Much of Simpson's value comes from his speed, so the Rays will proceed cautiously with any lower-body issue. The 25-year-old is in line to be the team's primary left fielder this season. He slashed .295/.326/.345 with 44 stolen bases over 109 contests last season as a rookie. |
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Edwin Uceta Edwin Uceta Headed to doctor after setback
Thu, Feb 19, 2026, 11:58 AM
Rays manager Kevin Cash said that Uceta (shoulder) will visit the doctor after he "didn't feel great" the longer he played catch Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Uceta reported to camp with a sore shoulder and has now encountered a setback. More will be know following Uceta's visit to the doctor, but even if he doesn't have structural damage he will need time to get built up. A stint on the injured list to begin the season looks like a distinct possibility. Uceta, if healthy, is among the Rays relievers in the mix to serve as closer this season. |
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Drew Rasmussen Drew Rasmussen Named Opening Day starter
Thu, Feb 19, 2026, 8:24 AM
The Rays have named Rasmussen their Opening Day starter, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Rasmussen was excellent in 2025 in his first full season back from elbow surgery, collecting a 2.76 ERA and 127:37 K:BB over 150 innings covering 31 starts. He had his workload carefully monitored last season but should have the reins loosened in 2026. That said, given that Rasmussen has undergone three major elbow surgeries, he's unlikely to ever be a workhorse. His Opening Day assignment will come March 26 in St. Louis. |
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Richie Palacios Richie Palacios Will see reps at hot corner
Mon, Feb 16, 2026, 5:33 PM
Palacios will see some time at third base during spring training, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Palacios has shown versatility during his major-league career, where he has seen most of his playing time in the outfield corners and at second base. He should get a fair amount of playing time at the keystone behind Gavin Lux. Although Palacios has played third base in just two major-league games, the Rays expanding his utility in order to improve his chances of making the Opening Day roster. Palacios slashed .333/396/.452 with four steals, one home run and three RBI across 48 plate appearances for Tampa Bay in 2025. |
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Hunter Bigge Hunter Bigge Healthy ahead of spring training
Sun, Feb 15, 2026, 10:19 PM
Bigge (face) threw live batting practice Sunday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: After pitching eight games in the Dominican Winter League, Bigge appears to be just about all the way back from the multiple facial fractures he suffered when he was hit by a foul ball in June of last year. The 27-year-old right-hander said Sunday that he's fully cleared medically, and the expectation is that Bigge will be competing for a spot in Tampa Bay's Opening Day bullpen during upcoming Grapefruit League play. |
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