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Kenny Piper Kenny Piper Optioned Tuesday
Tue, Aug 4, 2026, 4:44 PM
The Rays optioned Piper to Double-A Montgomery on Tuesday, though he'll remain with the big-league club through Wednesday's series finale in Colorado as a member of the taxi squad.
Analysis: The 28-year-old was promoted Monday to provide catching depth in the wake of Hunter Feduccia's departure at the trade deadline, but trade-acquisition Liam Hicks has quickly joined the active roster. Piper started Monday's contest and went 1-for-4 with a walk and a run scored in his major-league debut. He should return to Montgomery later this week, as long as Hicks and backup Nick Fortes stay healthy. |
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Michael Grove Michael Grove Sent to Triple-A
Tue, Aug 4, 2026, 4:39 PM
The Rays optioned Grove to Triple-A Durham on Tuesday.
Analysis: The right-hander was promoted from Durham on Monday and will quickly return to the affiliate to make room on the big-league roster for trade acquisition Tyler Wells. Grove has made two appearances with Tampa Bay this year and has pitched well in that limited sample with two earned runs allowed and a 4:0 K:BB over five innings. |
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Chase Solesky Chase Solesky Dropped from 40-man roster
Tue, Aug 4, 2026, 4:27 PM
The Rays designated Solesky for assignment Monday.
Analysis: Solesky ended up losing his spot on the 40-man roster after the Rays needed to clear room for trade-deadline pickup Tyler Wells. The 28-year-old righty made a three-inning relief appearance in his MLB debut for the Rays back in May but has pitched exclusively at Triple-A Durham ever since. Over 24 appearances (seven starts) at Durham, Solesky owns a 7.03 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 54:22 K:BB in 56.1 innings. |
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Freddy Peralta Freddy Peralta Team debut coming Tuesday
Tue, Aug 4, 2026, 11:31 AM
Rays manager Kevin Cash said that Peralta will start Tuesday's game against the Rockies at Coors Field, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Analysis: Acquired from the Mets on Sunday in a four-player deal, Peralta will be called upon to make his Rays debut two days later, stepping into the rotation spot that previously belonged to the injured Shane McClanahan (back). Though Peralta had labored to a 4.99 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 113:48 K:BB in 113.2 innings with New York, the Rays are optimistic that their coaching staff can coax better results from the two-time All-Star. A strong finish to the campaign could set up the 30-year-old righty for a lucrative payday this offseason, when he'll hit free agency for the first time in his career. |
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Flipped to Dodgers
Mon, Aug 3, 2026, 6:36 PM
The Dodgers acquired Kmatz and catcher Hunter Feduccia from the Rays on Monday in exchange for Jack Suwinksi and international bonus pool space.
Analysis: A 23-year-old righty reliever, Kmatz had a 2.89 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 74:10 K:BB in 53 innings at Double-A Montgomery this season. Kmatz will likely report to the Dodgers' Double-A affiliate in Tulsa. |
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Jack Suwinski Jack Suwinski Dealt to Rays
Mon, Aug 3, 2026, 6:34 PM
The Rays acquired Suwinski and international bonus pool space from the Dodgers on Monday in exchange for catcher Hunter Feduccia and right-hander Jacob Kmatz.
Analysis: Tampa Bay should be a welcome change of scenery for Suwinski, as he was unlikely to receive an opportunity in the big leagues with the Dodgers anytime soon. The 28-year-old outfielder has slashed .291/.386/.562 with 21 home runs and a 22.1 percent strikeout rate in 93 games in the Pacific Coast League this season. |
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Set for big-league debut
Mon, Aug 3, 2026, 6:32 PM
The Rays selected Piper's contract from Double-A Montgomery on Monday. He'll start at catcher and bat eighth in the series opener against the Rockies.
Analysis: The Rays traded Hunter Feduccia to the Dodgers on Monday, and while they also brought in Liam Hicks from the Marlins, Hicks won't be able to join the team in time for Monday's game. As a result, Piper was brought aboard to give the Rays another option beyond Nick Fortes at catcher, though Piper could be sent back to the minors as soon as Hicks joins the team. Piper, 28, has slashed .253/.358/.498 with 11 home runs and 11 steals in 64 games at Double-A this season. |
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Tyler Wells Tyler Wells Acquired by Rays at deadline
Mon, Aug 3, 2026, 4:03 PM
The Rays acquired Wells from the Orioles on Monday in exchange for Michael Forret, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Wells boasts a 2.67 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 53:13 K:BB over 54 innings out of the Baltimore bullpen this season. He should handle a setup role in Tampa Bay and will remain under team control next season, as well. |
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Michael Grove Michael Grove Summoned from Triple-A
Mon, Aug 3, 2026, 3:24 PM
The Rays recalled Grove from Triple-A Durham on Monday.
Analysis: Grove will give the Rays a fresh arm to round out their bullpen after Craig Kimbrel was designated for assignment and Alex Cook was optioned to Triple-A earlier Monday to create room on the roster for the club's recent trade additions. The right-hander has been up with the Rays on two other occasions this season but made his lone appearance with the big club June 27, when he struck out four over three scoreless innings in a win over the Diamondbacks. |
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Alex Cook Alex Cook Optioned to Triple-A
Mon, Aug 3, 2026, 1:48 PM
The Rays optioned Cook to Triple-A Durham on Monday.
Analysis: Cook allowed three runs with a 2:2 K:BB over 3.2 innings in his first two major-league appearances. He's being sent down in order to free up a spot on the active roster for the addition of Freddy Peralta. |
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Craig Kimbrel Craig Kimbrel Scrubbed from 40-man roster
Mon, Aug 3, 2026, 1:46 PM
The Rays designated Kimbrel for assignment Monday.
Analysis: A spot on the 40-man roster was needed for the addition of Freddy Peralta. In 33 appearances between the Mets and Rays this season, Kimbrel has logged a 4.81 ERA and 32:16 K:BB over 33.2 innings. The 38-year-old is a good bet to clear waivers and become a free agent. |
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Liam Hicks Liam Hicks Lands in Tampa Bay via trade
Mon, Aug 3, 2026, 1:09 PM
The Rays acquired Hicks from the Marlins on Monday in exchange for Brayden Taylor, Adrian Santana and Jacob Kisting, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.
Analysis: Hicks has turned in a robust .282/.363/.432 batting line with 14 home runs and a 40:39 BB:K over 101 games this season. He's split time between catcher, first base and designated hitter in 2026, but Hicks should in line to serve as the primary catcher in Tampa Bay. He is under team control through 2030. |
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Griffin Jax Griffin Jax Fans eight in ninth loss
Sun, Aug 2, 2026, 9:50 PM
Jax (6-9) took the loss Sunday against the White Sox, allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits and no walks in five innings. He struck out eight.
Analysis: A fielding error by Jax himself with two outs in the opening inning kept two earned runs off his ledger, much to the delight of fantasy managers. Sunday thus went down as the right-hander's third consecutive start with just one earned run allowed, and Jax has certainly found his way as part of the starting rotation after beginning his first year with the Rays as a reliever. Over 82.2 innings as a starter, he's posted a 3.16 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 90:23 K:BB as opposed to an 8.00 ERA and 1.89 WHIP across nine frames out of the bullpen. Jax is next slated to take the ball in Seattle at pitcher-friendly T-Mobile Park. |
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Craig Kimbrel Craig Kimbrel Set to lose roster spot
Sun, Aug 2, 2026, 7:18 PM
The Rays informed Kimbrel following Sunday's 9-1 loss to the White Sox that he will be designated for assignment, Marc Topkin and Abby DiSalvo of the Tampa Bay Times report.
Analysis: The transaction is expected to be made official within the next day or two, when the newly acquired Freddy Peralta is formally added to the active roster. Kimbrel, who surrendered two earned runs on one hits and one walk over an inning of relief Sunday, ends his time in Tampa Bay with a 3.86 ERA across 19 frames. |
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Jacob Melton Jacob Melton Nursing hamstring issue
Sun, Aug 2, 2026, 4:32 PM
Melton exited Triple-A Durham's game against Gwinnett on Saturday due to right hamstring tightness, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: The 25-year-old has played in just 36 games for Durham this season, missing time on account of a left ankle issue and now because of a hamstring injury. Melton has produced a .285/.381/.520 slash line with five home runs and 23 steals with Durham. |
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Jake Fraley Jake Fraley Sent to 60-day IL
Sun, Aug 2, 2026, 4:29 PM
The Rays transferred Fraley (hernia) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday.
Analysis: The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for right-hander Freddy Peralta, whom the Rays acquired in a deal with the Mets. Fraley had already been on the shelf since May 17 while recovering from hernia surgery, so his move to the 60-day IL won't affect his timeline to rejoin the big club. The outfielder was pulled off a rehab assignment in early July after experiencing some discomfort in his groin area, and it's unclear when he might be ready to return to action in the minors. |
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Freddy Peralta Freddy Peralta Heading to Tampa Bay
Sun, Aug 2, 2026, 12:58 PM
The Rays acquired Peralta from the Mets on Sunday in exchange for outfielder Aidan Smith, second baseman Emilien Pitre and right-hander Gary Gill Hill, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: The right-hander from his scheduled start Friday versus Miami in anticipation of Monday's trade deadline, and the Mets found a willing suitor for his services in the Rays, who pivoted to Peralta after falling short in their pursuit of Tarik Skubal. After being acquired from the Brewers during the offseason, Peralta had a rough time in Queens with a 4.99 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 113:48 K:BB in 113.2 innings over 22 starts. Tampa Bay amount to a good landing spot for the 30-year-old, given the Rays' track record of getting the best out of their pitchers. |
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Taylor Walls Taylor Walls Resting up in series finale
Sun, Aug 2, 2026, 9:15 AM
Walls is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Walls was recently left out of the lineup for four straight games while he dealt with a couple of hyperextended fingers on his left hand, but he was able to start in each of the Rays' ensuing five contests. However, after going 0-for-13 with a walk and five strikeouts during that stretch, Walls will take a seat for the series finale and will get a chance to clear his head. Ben Williamson will replace Walls at shortstop and will bat seventh. |
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Victor Mesa Jr. Victor Mesa Jr. Left out of lineup vs. lefty
Sun, Aug 2, 2026, 9:13 AM
Mesa is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: The left-handed-hitting Mesa will retreat to the bench for the series finale while southpaw Anthony Kay toes the rubber for the White Sox. Jonny DeLuca will replace Mesa in right field and will bat sixth. |
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Richie Palacios Richie Palacios Taking seat against southpaw
Sun, Aug 2, 2026, 9:11 AM
Palacios is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: The left-handed-hitting Palacios will be on the bench for a second straight day, as the White Sox will have southpaw Anthony Kay start the series finale after lefty Noah Schultz worked in bulk relief Saturday. Ryan Vilade will cover the keystone Sunday in place of Palacios. |
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