| News |
|---|
|
Ian Seymour Ian Seymour Notches first career save
Wed, May 6, 2026, 4:27 PM
Seymour struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his first save of the season in a 3-0 win over the Blue Jays.
Analysis: Bryan Baker got the call in the eighth inning to face the 9-1-2 hitters, including Toronto's hottest bat in Kazuma Okamoto, but that still left the heart of the order for Seymour in the ninth. The southpaw didn't blink, firing nine of 11 pitches for strikes to collect his first career save and striking out Vladimir Guerrero along the way. Seymour has eight holds and a win in his 16 appearances in addition to Wednesday's save, but his 5.09 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 20:7 K:BB over 17.2 innings don't immediately mark him as a reliable high-leverage option. |
|
Shane McClanahan Shane McClanahan Blanks Jays for fourth win
Wed, May 6, 2026, 4:21 PM
McClanahan (4-2) picked up the win Wednesday, scattering two hits and a walk over 5.2 scoreless innings in a 3-0 victory over the Blue Jays. He struck out four.
Analysis: The southpaw extended his scoreless streak to 16.2 innings in a surprisingly short outing that saw McClanahan get the hook after just 69 pitches (47 strikes), one out shy of his second quality start of 2026. Both hits off McClanahan were doubles, but in neither case did the Toronto runner even advance to third base. He'll take a 2.60 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 34:14 K:BB through 34.2 innings into his next start, which is set to come on the road early next week in a rematch with the Jays. |
|
Gavin Lux Gavin Lux On track for weekend return
Wed, May 6, 2026, 12:29 PM
Lux (shoulder/ankle) is tracking toward a return during the Rays' series in Boston this weekend, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Lux initially went on the injured list with a right shoulder impingement and was later delayed by a left ankle sprain. He's fully recovered now but has not done much on his rehab assignment, slashing .169/.329/.288 with one home run and a 14:20 BB:K over 17 contests. Lux is poised to be the Rays' primary second baseman against righties and will be making his team debut when he gets into a game. |
|
Griffin Jax Griffin Jax Slated to start Thursday
Wed, May 6, 2026, 10:37 AM
Jax is in line to start Thursday's game against the Red Sox in Boston, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: With the team's starting pitching depth having been tested by injuries in recent weeks, Jax has begun the process of getting stretched out as a potential rotation open. Jax has served as an opener for the Rays in both of his last two appearances, covering 2.1 innings April 26 against the Twins and then 2.2 innings Saturday against the Giants. Jax is likely to expand on that workload Thursday, though he probably won't hit the five innings he would need to qualify for a win. Assuming he isn't needed out of the bullpen during Wednesday's series finale versus the Blue Jays, Jesse Scholtens could work in bulk relief behind Jax and would have some appeal as a streaming option after scooping up wins in both of Jax's last two starts. |
|
Mason Englert Mason Englert Candidate to start Friday
Wed, May 6, 2026, 9:42 AM
Englert (forearm) could start Friday in Boston in place of the injured Steven Matz (elbow), Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: The Rays had sent Englert to Triple-A Durham to begin a rehab assignment. However, Englert was spotted in the clubhouse Wednesday, suggesting the club could have him fill in for Matz instead. Englert has been used in relief this season, but the Rays intend to stretch him out as a rotation option. He hasn't pitched in more than two weeks and is not stretched out, so it would be an abbreviated start if Englert does indeed take the ball Friday. |
|
Richie Palacios Richie Palacios Taking seat Wednesday
Wed, May 6, 2026, 9:13 AM
Palacios is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays.
Analysis: With southpaw Patrick Corbin starting for the Blue Jays, the left-handed-hitting Palacios will hit the bench for the third time in four games. Ben Williamson will draw the start at second base Wednesday as he and Palacios continue to work in a loose platoon at the position amid the ongoing absence of Gavin Lux (shoulder/ankle), who has been stuck on the injured list all season. |
|
Michael Grove Michael Grove Set to face hitters this weekend
Tue, May 5, 2026, 10:08 PM
Grove (shoulder) is scheduled to face hitters this weekend, MLB.com reports.
Analysis: It's set to be Grove's first session since opening the season on the injured list amid his recovery from last year's right shoulder surgery. The right-hander is then slated to go on a minor-league rehab assignment sometime thereafter. Barring any setbacks, Grove should be an option for the Rays at some point in June. |
|
Steven Matz Steven Matz Absence expected to be brief
Tue, May 5, 2026, 2:58 PM
Matz's (elbow) stint on the 15-day injured list is not expected to last long, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Analysis: Matz was placed on the IL earlier Tuesday with left elbow inflammation. He felt soreness in the elbow after his last outing, but an MRI came back negative and the belief is the injury was caught early. It's unclear when Matz might be ready to throw again, but he could be ready to rejoin the Rays' rotation later this month if all goes well. |
|
Steven Matz Steven Matz Lands on IL with elbow inflammation
Tue, May 5, 2026, 1:05 PM
The Rays placed Matz on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with left elbow inflammation, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Analysis: The injury seemingly came out of nowhere, as Matz had authored two straight quality starts, including tossing six innings of one-run ball against the Giants on Sunday. It's unclear whether he will undergo any additional testing, but even in a best-case scenario, Matz is likely looking at longer than a minimum 15-day absence. Joe Boyle (elbow) and Mason Englert (forearm) are both starting rehab assignments Wednesday and are options to take Matz's rotation spot when they're ready, but the club will need someone else to slot into the rotation this weekend in Boston. |
|
Contract selected
Tue, May 5, 2026, 1:03 PM
The Rays selected Solesky from Triple-A Durham on Tuesday, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Analysis: The right-hander joined the Rays as a non-roster invitee in January and will now get his first look in the big leagues. Solesky has struggled to a 6.57 ERA, 1.74 WHIP and 27:10 K:BB across 24.2 frames (six starts) with Durham this year, so he'll likely be limited to a low-leverage relief role while up with Tampa Bay. |
|
Ryan Vilade Ryan Vilade Blasts second career homer
Tue, May 5, 2026, 2:13 AM
Vilade went 1-for-2 with a three-run home run in Monday's 5-1 win over the Blue Jays.
Analysis: After Chandler Simpson and Junior Caminero reached base to lead off the game, Vilade provided the early spark, launching a three-run homer off Eric Lauer. The blast was his first of the season and just the second of his MLB career. Vilade has been swinging a hot bat lately, slashing .357/.400/.536 over his last 12 games with two doubles, eight RBI and five runs scored. |
|
Bryan Baker Bryan Baker Records one-out save Monday
Tue, May 5, 2026, 2:02 AM
Baker earned the save Monday against the Blue Jays, recording the final out of the ninth inning.
Analysis: Baker entered the ninth with two outs and runners on the corners and induced a flyout from Kazuma Okamoto to seal the win. The quick appearance secured his ninth save of the season, tying him for the American League lead, and he now has five saves in his last six appearances. Baker has been highly effective this season, posting a 2.63 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 15:3 K:BB across 13.2 innings. After a two-pitch workload, he should be fully available for Tampa Bay's next save scenario. |
|
Joe Boyle Joe Boyle Starting rehab assignment
Mon, May 4, 2026, 3:44 PM
Boyle (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham on Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Boyle has missed more than three weeks with a right elbow strain, but he's progressed to the point that he's ready to test himself in a game setting. The right-hander made three starts for the Rays before getting hurt, posting a 5.17 ERA and 16:6 K:BB over 15.2 innings. He could be reclaim a spot in the Tampa Bay rotation if he looks sharp during his rehab assignment. |
|
Mason Englert Mason Englert Ready for rehab assignment
Mon, May 4, 2026, 3:38 PM
Englert (forearm) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham on Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: The Rays plan to stretch Englert out as a depth option for their rotation, so his rehab assignment will likely be a lengthy one as he builds up stamina. Englert has not been a full-time starting pitcher since 2022, but he did throw 65 pitches in an extended relief outing earlier this season. |
|
Cedric Mullins Cedric Mullins Heading to bench Monday
Mon, May 4, 2026, 2:17 PM
Mullins is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: With a lowly .415 OPS on the season, Mullins ranks last among baseball's 179 qualified hitters. While Mullins continues to struggle at the plate, the Rays will likely shield him from lefties such as Eric Lauer, who will start Monday's game for the Blue Jays. And unless Mullins shows some signs of life in his future starts, it may not be long until the Rays pull the plug on him as a regular part of the lineup against right-handed pitching. |
|
Jake Fraley Jake Fraley Hitting bench against lefty
Mon, May 4, 2026, 2:14 PM
Fraley is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: With a lefty (Eric Lauer) on the bump for the Blue Jays, the Rays will go with Ryan Vilade over the left-handed-hitting Fraley in right field. Fraley had started in each of the Rays' last five games, going 3-for-14 with a double, a walk and an RBI over that stretch. |
|
Yandy Diaz Yandy Diaz Batting cleanup in return
Mon, May 4, 2026, 1:52 PM
Diaz (side) will start at designated hitter and will bat cleanup in Monday's game against the Blue Jays, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Analysis: Diaz was held out for the Rays' final two games of the weekend after departing Friday's 3-0 win over the Giants early due to left side tightness, but he'll be good to go as Tampa Bay kicks off a seven-game week. He had been running hot at the plate prior to missing time with the injury, batting .355/.429/.548 with two home runs, four RBI and seven runs over his last nine contests. |
|
Jonathan Aranda Jonathan Aranda Walks off Giants in four-hit day
Sun, May 3, 2026, 8:37 PM
Aranda went 4-for-5 with an RBI in Sunday's 2-1 win over the Giants.
Analysis: All four of Aranda's hits were singles, including the walk-off winner in the 10th inning, and all eight of Tampa Bay's hits as a team Sunday were singles. It was Aranda's first career four-hit game, and he's now slashing .252/.352/.462 with seven home runs, 28 RBI, 17 runs scored and a 19:35 BB:K across 142 plate appearances this season. |
|
Steven Matz Steven Matz Cruises through six innings vs. SFG
Sun, May 3, 2026, 8:32 PM
Matz didn't factor into the decision Sunday against the Giants, allowing one run on four hits and two walks with one strikeout across six innings.
Analysis: The Giants entered Sunday 29th in OPS as a team, and they managed to scored two total runs in the three-game set with Tampa Bay. Matz was just the latest starter to sit San Francisco down with relative ease. The left-hander has now posted back-to-back quality starts, though he clearly didn't have the strikeout stuff going Sunday. Matz has been solid in his return to starting this season, registering a 4-1 record, 3.86 ERA and 28:13 K:BB across 37.1 innings. He's lined up to start in Boston during next weekend's four-game series. |
|
Richie Palacios Richie Palacios Taking seat against right-hander
Sun, May 3, 2026, 12:45 PM
Palacios is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants.
Analysis: Though he had started each of the last three matchups with right-handed pitchers, Palacios will give way to Ben Williamson at second base against righty Tyler Mahle. Both Palacios and Williamson are likely headed for reductions in playing time at the keystone with Gavin Lux (shoulder/ankle) drawing closer to a return from the injured list. |
Connect With Us:
