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Junior Caminero Junior Caminero Swats another walk-off homer
Wed, Sep 16, 2026, 9:55 AM
Caminero went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the A's.
Analysis: For the second time in five days, Caminero walked it off for the Rays, this time by getting hold of a 100.4 mph fastball from Elvis Alvarado and driving it the other way to clear the fence in the right-field corner. Caminero is up to 41 homers on the season, first in the American League and third in the majors behind the Phillies' Kyle Schwarber (45) and the Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong (42), and the 23-year-old needs four more RBI to reach 100 for the second straight year. |
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Bryan Baker Bryan Baker Nabs third win
Wed, Sep 16, 2026, 9:51 AM
Baker (3-2) picked up the win Tuesday, working a perfect ninth inning without a strikeout in a 2-1 victory over the A's.
Analysis: With the game tied 1-1 and a save situation off the table at home, Baker was called in for the top of the ninth and needed just seven pitches (three strikes) to set down the 2-3-4 hitters for the A's. The right-hander then got rewarded when Junior Caminero walked it off with a solo shot. Baker has been scored upon in only one of his last nine appearances, picking up two wins and three saves during that stretch with a 1.08 ERA and 0.96 WHIP, but a lackluster 6:5 K:BB. |
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Griffin Jax Griffin Jax Blanks A's in Tuesday's no-decision
Wed, Sep 16, 2026, 9:47 AM
Jax didn't factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing two hits over five scoreless innings in a 2-1 win over the A's. He struck out seven without walking a batter.
Analysis: The right-hander was dominant over 67 pitches (46 strikes), but an early hook from manager Kevin Cash nearly cost the Rays when Ty Johnson gave up the tying run in the top of the sixth inning. Jax has been held under 70 pitches in all three of his September starts following a month-long absence due to elbow discomfort, but the strict workload limit appears to be working, as he's given up just one run in 10 innings over his last two trips to the mound with a 9:1 K:BB. Jax will look to stay stingy in his next outing, which lines up to come at home this weekend against the Red Sox. |
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Ben Williamson Ben Williamson Starting rehab assignment
Tue, Sep 15, 2026, 1:31 PM
Williamson (hamstring) reported to Triple-A Durham on Tuesday to begin a rehab assignment, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: The 25-year-old landed on the shelf in early August due to a strained hamstring, but he's been cleared for game action after recently resuming baseball activities. Williamson has a .247/.309/.332 slash line with three home runs and eight steals in 84 games this season, and he may only need a few games in the minors before rejoining the Rays. |
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Kenny Piper Kenny Piper Dispatched to Durham
Tue, Sep 15, 2026, 1:09 PM
The Rays optioned Piper to Triple-A Durham on Tuesday.
Analysis: Piper has served as Tampa Bay's third catcher for nearly a month, but he received just one start and six plate appearances during that stretch. |
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Jacob Melton Jacob Melton Out for season
Tue, Sep 15, 2026, 1:08 PM
The Rays recalled Melton from Triple-A Durham and placed him on the 60-day injured list Tuesday due to a right hamstring strain.
Analysis: The 26-year-old missed most of August due to a right hamstring strain and appears to have aggravated the injury, which will bring an early end to his 2026 campaign. Melton was acquired from the Astros last winter and was limited to 45 games during his first year in the Rays organization. However, he was productive for Triple-A Durham when available, finishing with a .253/.346/.475 slash line, seven homers and 26 stolen bases. |
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Alex Cook Alex Cook Recalled from Durham
Tue, Sep 15, 2026, 1:05 PM
The Rays recalled Cook from Triple-A Durham on Tuesday.
Analysis: In two appearances out of the Rays' bullpen this season, Cook has allowed three runs with a 2:2 K:BB covering 3.2 innings. The 25-year-old holds a 4.53 ERA and 48:16 K:BB in 43.2 frames during his time with Durham this season. |
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Jake Fraley Jake Fraley Reinstated from 60-day injured list
Tue, Sep 15, 2026, 1:03 PM
The Rays activated Fraley (hernia) from the 60-day injured list Tuesday.
Analysis: Fraley is finally ready to return after completing his rehab from May hernia surgery. Victor Mesa has emerged as the Rays' primary right fielder, leaving the 31-year-old Fraley without a clear path to regular playing time. |
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Tyler Wells Tyler Wells Shelved by forearm tightness
Tue, Sep 15, 2026, 1:00 PM
The Rays placed Wells on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with right forearm tightness.
Analysis: It's a big blow to the Rays' bullpen, as Wells has been lights out since landing in Tampa Bay at the trade deadline, logging a 1.50 ERA and 19:5 K:BB over 18 innings. He will not be eligible to return before the end of the regular season, but Wells expects to be active for the postseason after imaging came back negative, per Ryan Bass of Rays.tv. |
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Garrett Cleavinger Garrett Cleavinger Playing catch, but no timetable
Tue, Sep 15, 2026, 10:25 AM
Cleavinger (forearm) has resumed playing catch but still doesn't have a timetable for a return from the 15-day injured list, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Cleavinger landed on the IL in early September with left forearm tightness. A timeline for the reliever's return won't come into focus until he's throwing off the mound, and it's unclear when he'll be cleared for that. Cleavinger has logged a 4.79 ERA and 54:22 K:BB over 41.1 frames in 2026. |
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Shane McClanahan Shane McClanahan Timeline remains uncertain
Tue, Sep 15, 2026, 10:21 AM
Rays manager Kevin Cash said recently that McClanahan (forearm) has resumed playing catch but still has "a long way to go" before returning to the active roster, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: McClanahan has been out since early September with left forearm tightness, and while Cash is "encouraged" the southpaw is progressing, the manager is unsure whether the hurler will make it back before the end of the regular season. If McClanahan does make a start later this month, it would likely be during the final week of the regular season and would involve a pitch count. |
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Yandy Diaz Yandy Diaz Strong start to September
Mon, Sep 14, 2026, 1:33 PM
Diaz went 2-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI in Sunday's 14-4 win over the Astros.
Analysis: The veteran designated hitter turned in his sixth multi-hit effort of the month Sunday. September has been another strong month for Diaz, who's hitting .314 with two homers, three doubles and six RBI over his last 51 at-bats. Through 642 plate appearances, he's slashing .301/.366/.463 with 22 long balls, 25 doubles, 81 RBI and 86 runs scored. |
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Victor Mesa Jr. Victor Mesa Jr. Extends hit streak in rout
Sun, Sep 13, 2026, 4:23 PM
Mesa went 3-for-5 with a double, a triple, two RBI and three runs scored in Sunday's 14-4 win over the Astros.
Analysis: Mesa was a thorn in the Astros' side from the cleanup spot, falling a homer short of the cycle and scoring each time he reached base. The 25-year-old has hit safely in nine straight games, and he owns a ridiculous 1.300 OPS with seven extra-base hits, eight RBI, 12 runs scored and three steals through 12 September contests. For the season, he's slashing .261/.330/.518 with 13 homers, 30 RBI, 32 runs scored and nine stolen bases across 223 plate appearances. |
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Richie Palacios Richie Palacios Goes deep in rout
Sun, Sep 13, 2026, 4:14 PM
Palacios went 2-for-4 with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored in Sunday's 14-4 win over the Astros.
Analysis: Palacios gave the Rays a 7-0 lead with a three-run homer in the third inning before scoring another run in the seventh. The 29-year-old has been red hot in September, hitting .333 with five home runs, 11 RBI, seven runs scored and three stolen bases through 10 games this month. On the year, he's slashing .235/.330/.379 with 10 long balls, 50 RBI, 50 runs scored and 14 steals across 369 plate appearances. |
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Jonathan Aranda Jonathan Aranda Homers twice in rout
Sun, Sep 13, 2026, 3:38 PM
Aranda went 2-for-4 with two home runs, a walk and three RBI in Sunday's 14-4 win over the Astros.
Analysis: Aranda reached 20 homers in the fourth inning before going deep again in the seventh. The performance continued a strong September for the 28-year-old, who owns a 1.058 OPS with seven extra-base hits and 10 RBI in 11 games this month. On the season, he's slashing .278/.362/.438 with 21 long balls, 89 RBI and 71 runs scored across 630 plate appearances. |
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Freddy Peralta Freddy Peralta Goes five scoreless in win
Sun, Sep 13, 2026, 3:33 PM
Peralta (9-11) earned the win against the Astros on Sunday, allowing no hits and three walks with four strikeouts over five scoreless innings.
Analysis: Peralta was spotted an early lead and held the Astros without a hit despite throwing only 49 of 86 pitches for strikes. The 30-year-old is finding his groove at the right time, winning four straight contests while yielding just two earned runs and posting three quality starts during that stretch. He owns a 3.86 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 33:10 K:BB across 44.1 innings with Tampa Bay and lines up for a home matchup with the Red Sox next weekend. |
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Cedric Mullins Cedric Mullins Out of Sunday's lineup
Sun, Sep 13, 2026, 12:21 PM
Mullins is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Mullins has gone 2-for-20 across his past seven games and will take a seat Sunday even though Houston is sending out a right-handed starter (Hayden Wesneski). Jonny DeLuca is starting in center field and batting sixth in the series finale. |
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Liam Hicks Liam Hicks Not starting Sunday
Sun, Sep 13, 2026, 12:18 PM
Hicks is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Hicks has a .646 OPS through nine games in September and will hit the bench Sunday after starting the first two games of the series versus Houston. Nick Fortes is working behind the plate and batting ninth in the finale. |
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Bryan Baker Bryan Baker Picks up MLB-high 40th save
Sat, Sep 12, 2026, 8:47 PM
Baker threw 1.1 scoreless innings for the save Saturday against the Astros, allowing one hit and no walks. He struck out one.
Analysis: Baker recorded more than three outs Saturday for just the second time this season. The All-Star closer continues to be dominant, giving up only three earned runs in 27 appearances since the start of July. He has a 1.54 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 62:21 K:BB with a major-league-leading 40 saves (43 opportunities) over 58.1 innings in 2026. |
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Ian Seymour Ian Seymour Fans 10 in six strong innings
Sat, Sep 12, 2026, 8:40 PM
Seymour didn't factor into the decision Saturday against the Astros, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk in six innings. He struck out 10.
Analysis: Seymour flooded the zone Saturday, pouring in 58 of his 79 pitches for strikes in a strong start. The southpaw tends to get hurt by the long ball, as he's served up at least one home run in seven of his last eight outings, but he's fanned at least seven on six occasions during that span. He'll bring a 4.27 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 150:34 K:BB over 122.1 innings into his next scheduled appearance against the division-rival Red Sox. |
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