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Casey Legumina Casey Legumina Opening Thursday
Wed, Jun 24, 2026, 8:56 PM
Legumina will serve as the Rays' opening pitcher Thursday against the Royals, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Analysis: Legumina has given up two earned runs across his last two outings, but the Rays will trust him to handle the beginning of Thursday's series finale nonetheless. The 29-year-old was able to record five outs before being pulled during his last opening assignment, and he'll presumably remain in the game Thursday for a similar amount of time before handing the game over to bulk reliever Ian Seymour. |
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Bryan Baker Bryan Baker Up to 20 saves
Wed, Jun 24, 2026, 8:49 PM
Baker earned the save in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Royals, allowing a run on one hit while striking out two in the ninth inning.
Analysis: Baker gave up a solo home run to Josh Rojas with one out in the ninth that cut Tampa Bay's lead to two, but the right-hander rebounded to set down the next two Royals and pick up his 20th save this season. The homer marked the first run that Baker has given up in his last 13 innings. He's been excellent overall this season, posting a 2.01 ERA with 0.89 WHIP and 35:11 K:BB across 31.1 innings. |
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Griffin Jax Griffin Jax Sharp in third win
Wed, Jun 24, 2026, 8:43 PM
Jax (3-5) earned the win Wednesday over the Royals, allowing two unearned runs on five hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out seven.
Analysis: It was a strong outing for Jax, as he set a new season high with seven strikeouts. The right-hander has been excellent of late, allowing just two earned runs across 20 innings in his last four starts, while posting a 21:4 K:BB. Since moving into Tampa's rotation, Jax has posted a 2.27 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP and 41:13 K:BB across 11 starts (43.2 innings). He's tentatively lined up for a rematch with the Royals on the road his next time out. |
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Cedric Mullins Cedric Mullins Heading to bench vs. lefty
Wed, Jun 24, 2026, 1:51 PM
Mullins is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Royals, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: The left-handed-hitting Mullins will hit the bench for the third time in four games while the Royals send southpaw Noah Cameron to the bump. Jonny DeLuca will fill in for Mullins in center field and bat second. |
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Jonathan Aranda Jonathan Aranda Steady campaign continues
Tue, Jun 23, 2026, 9:58 PM
Aranda went 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored in Tuesday's 12-5 loss to the Royals.
Analysis: Aranda has a modest six-game hitting streak going, continuing what's been a steady campaign at the dish while hitting primarily either second or third in the Rays' lineup. Through 328 plate appearances, the first baseman is slashing .278/.381/.447 with 12 home runs, 10 doubles, 44 RBI and 38 runs scored. |
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Junior Caminero Junior Caminero Goes deep in loss
Tue, Jun 23, 2026, 9:13 PM
Caminero went 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBI in Tuesday's 12-5 loss to the Royals.
Analysis: Caminero drove in runs on three separate occasions, highlighted by a solo homer in the eighth inning. The 22-year-old has enjoyed a solid June, hitting .289 with three home runs, nine RBI and 11 runs scored through 20 games this month. For the season, he's slashing .281/.372/.490 with 16 long balls, 37 RBI and 45 runs scored across 333 plate appearances. |
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Shane McClanahan Shane McClanahan Allows three homers in loss
Tue, Jun 23, 2026, 8:40 PM
McClanahan (6-5) took the loss against the Royals on Tuesday, allowing six runs (two earned) on six hits and one walk with four strikeouts over six innings.
Analysis: It was an odd game for McClanahan, who logged just his second quality start of the campaign while also allowing multiple homers in a game for the first time. It continued a rough June for the 29-year-old, who's now 0-3 with a 5.79 ERA through four starts this month. He owns a 3.30 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 73:28 K:BB across 73.2 innings on the year and lines up for a home matchup with the Diamondbacks this weekend. |
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Dom Keegan Dom Keegan Removed from 40-man roster
Tue, Jun 23, 2026, 2:20 PM
The Rays designated Keegan for assignment Tuesday.
Analysis: He's clearing off the 40-man roster to make space for Chris Roycroft, who was acquired via trade. Keegan has hit .191/.327/.303 with six home runs in 51 games at Triple-A Durham this season. The catcher could pass through waivers and remain in the organization. |
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Chris Roycroft Chris Roycroft Traded to Rays
Tue, Jun 23, 2026, 2:16 PM
The Rays acquired Roycroft from the Cardinals on Tuesday in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.
Analysis: Roycroft has posted a 6.41 ERA, 1.77 WHIP and 52:37 K:BB over 60.1 innings at the major-league level and had been designated for assignment last week. The 6-foot-8 righty's sinker rates well in terms of Stuff+, and it would not be a surprise if the Rays are able to coax more out of him. Roycroft will report to Triple-A Durham for now. |
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Drew Rasmussen Drew Rasmussen Tough-luck loss Monday
Mon, Jun 22, 2026, 8:49 PM
Rasmussen (6-4) took the loss Monday against Kansas City, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out five.
Analysis: Rasmussen continues to deal during the month of June, posting a 1.00 ERA, 0.59 WHIP and 34:3 K:BB across his last 27 innings (four starts). Additionally, the 30-year-old right-hander has now logged nine quality starts among 15 appearances on the campaign and worked at least six frames in four consecutive outings. Rasmussen will take a stellar 2.62 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 89:15 K:BB across 86 innings into his next scheduled start at home against Arizona. |
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Taylor Walls Taylor Walls Taking seat Monday
Mon, Jun 22, 2026, 1:49 PM
Walls is not in the lineup for Monday's tilt against the Royals.
Analysis: The Rays will go with Ben Williamson at shortstop in the series opener. Walls had started each of the previous six contests. |
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Hunter Feduccia Hunter Feduccia Absent from lineup
Mon, Jun 22, 2026, 1:48 PM
Feduccia is absent from the lineup for Monday's game versus the Royals.
Analysis: Righty Michael Wacha starts for the Royals and is better against lefties, which at least partly explains why the lefty-swinging Feduccia is not in the lineup. Nick Fortes will do the catching for the Rays. |
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Cedric Mullins Cedric Mullins Out of Monday's lineup
Mon, Jun 22, 2026, 1:44 PM
Mullins is not in the lineup for Monday's contest versus the Royals.
Analysis: The Royals' starting pitcher, Michael Wacha, has reverse splits, which is why the left-handed-hitting Mullins will begin the game on the bench. Jonny DeLuca will cover center field and Ryan Vilade will be in right field for the Rays. |
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Jonny DeLuca Jonny DeLuca Homers again Sunday
Sun, Jun 21, 2026, 9:17 PM
DeLuca went 2-for-4 with a double, a two-run home run and three RBI in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Nationals.
Analysis: After striking out in each of his first two plate appearances, DeLuca doubled in the fifth inning and later delivered the game's biggest hit, launching a two-run homer off Orlando Ribalta in the seventh to give Tampa Bay the eventual winning runs. The outfielder has wasted little time making an impact since returning from the injured list, going 3-for-8 (.375) with two homers and three RBI across his first eight plate appearances back in the lineup. Before the hamstring injury, DeLuca was batting .269 with 2 homers and 19 rbi across 41 contests. |
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Kevin Kelly Kevin Kelly Locks down third save
Sun, Jun 21, 2026, 8:55 PM
Kelly earned the save Sunday against the Nationals, allowing one hit while striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning of the 4-3 win.
Analysis: With Bryan Baker having worked the ninth inning Saturday, Kelly got the call to protect a one-run lead Sunday. The right-hander allowed a leadoff single to Daylen Lile, but Lile was caught stealing between strikeouts of the next two batters, helping Kelly secure his third save of the season. The veteran has been reliable lately, posting scoreless appearances in 23 of his last 25 outings. During that stretch, Kelly has recorded a sparkling 1.33 ERA while collecting 13 holds. |
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Nick Martinez Nick Martinez Delivers another quality start
Sun, Jun 21, 2026, 8:43 PM
Martinez did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Nationals, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks while striking out five over six innings.
Analysis: Martinez threw 57 of his 88 pitches for strikes while recording his fifth quality start in his last seven appearances. The veteran right-hander was hurt by extra-base damage, as three of the four hits he allowed went for extra bases, including a solo homer by CJ Abrams in the sixth inning. Martinez exited in line for the loss before Tampa Bay rallied late to erase the deficit and ultimately secure the victory. The 35-year-old continues to provide steady production and will carry a 2.73 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 55:17 K:BB into his next scheduled start at home against Arizona. |
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Moving up to Double-A
Sun, Jun 21, 2026, 7:58 PM
Gillen was promoted to Double-A Montgomery on Sunday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Gillen will move up to Double-A after posting an impressive .342 average with 12 home runs, 44 RBI, 53 runs scored and 28 stolen bases over 219 at-bats in 57 contests with High-A Bowling Green this season. The 20-year-old is considered to be one of Tampa Bay's top overall prospects, and he'll have a shot to climb to the Triple-A level before the end of the year. |
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Michael Grove Michael Grove Activated, sent to Triple-A
Sun, Jun 21, 2026, 1:35 PM
The Rays reinstated Grove (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list and optioned him to Triple-A Durham on Sunday.
Analysis: Tampa Bay will give Grove some more time in the minors to round into form following March 2025 surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. The 29-year-old had looked good over the course of his eight rehab appearances between the rookie-level Florida Complex League and Durham, compiling a 2.84 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 16:4 K:BB across 12.2 innings. |
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Victor Mesa Jr. Victor Mesa Jr. Idle against lefty
Sun, Jun 21, 2026, 12:14 PM
Mesa is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.
Analysis: The left-handed hitter will hit the bench for the second time in the series, as the Nationals send southpaw Andrew Alvarez to the hill Sunday. Mesa could struggle to find consistent playing time versus righties as well, after the Rays brought Jonny DeLuca back from the injured list Friday. Despite logging just nine of his 55 plate appearances against same-handed pitching since his May 24 call-up from Triple-A Durham, Mesa is slashing a meager .174/.296/.304 with two home runs, sevens runs and five RBI. |
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Cedric Mullins Cedric Mullins Exiting lineup vs. southpaw
Sun, Jun 21, 2026, 12:10 PM
Mullins is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.
Analysis: The left-handed-hitting Mullins will take a seat for the series finale while the Nationals send southpaw Andrew Alvarez to the bump. Jonny DeLuca will replace Mullins in center field and will bat second. |
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