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Mason Englert Mason Englert Progressing in throwing program
Fri, May 1, 2026, 10:51 PM
Englert (forearm) is set to throw a bullpen session Sunday, MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Boyle faced live hitters in batting practice Thursday, and he could go on a minor-league rehab assignment after Sunday's bullpen. The right-hander is working his way back from right forearm tightness, and he's tracking toward rejoining Tampa Bay's bullpen in mid-to-late May. It's worth mentioning that Rays want Englert to be built back up to work multiple innings. |
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Joe Boyle Joe Boyle Making progress in throwing program
Fri, May 1, 2026, 10:45 PM
Boyle (elbow) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Sunday, MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Boyle faced hitters in live batting practice Thursday, and it's possible he'll start a minor-league rehab assignment following Sunday's session. The right-hander is recovering from a right elbow strain, and he's on track to return to the Rays at some point in mid-to-late May. Jesse Scholtens is handling Boyle's spot in Tampa Bay's rotation for the time being. |
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Yandy Diaz Yandy Diaz Leaves with side tightness
Fri, May 1, 2026, 8:09 PM
Diaz was removed from Friday's game against the Giants with left side tightness, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Analysis: Diaz went 1-for-2 with a solo home run before coming out of Friday's contest in the seventh inning. The Rays are considering him day-to-day, so he doesn't seem to be dealing with anything too serious, but he may still sit out a game or two as a precaution. |
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Jesse Scholtens Jesse Scholtens Following Jax again
Fri, May 1, 2026, 4:27 PM
Scholtens is expected to operate in a bulk-relief role in Saturday's game against the Giants, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Analysis: As was the case this past Sunday against the Twins, Griffin Jax is slated to serve as the Rays' opener Saturday and work the first inning or two before turning the keys over to Scholtens. The move somewhat worked against Minnesota, with Scholtens picking up the win after allowing two runs on three hits and three walks while striking out one batter across 4.1 innings. The 32-year-old right-hander has a 3.20 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB across 19.2 innings this season. |
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Griffin Jax Griffin Jax Opening Saturday; bigger role on tap?
Fri, May 1, 2026, 4:24 PM
Jax is expected to serve as the Rays' opener for Saturday's game against the Giants, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Analysis: The Rays opted to use Jax as the opener for their game against the Twins this past Sunday, when he tossed 2.1 scoreless innings to set up Jesse Scholtens. It looks like it'll be much of the same Saturday, though Jax also noted to reporters Friday that he is working toward earning a role in the Rays' rotation. "This is an organization that's had some success doing this in the past...We're going to see how I respond to increasing workload, but I think, all in all, it's going to be the right decision." Jax has a 6.35 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 12:8 K:BB across 11.1 innings this season. |
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Ryan Pepiot Ryan Pepiot Out for season
Fri, May 1, 2026, 3:03 PM
Pepiot will undergo surgery on his right hip May 13 and miss the rest of the 2026 season, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Analysis: The right-hander landed on the injured list with hip inflammation late in spring training and was transferred to the 60-day injured list in mid-April after suffering a setback. Pepiot received an injection following the setback, but his hip felt "unstable" when playing catch a few days later, and he'll now end up missing the entirety of the 2026 campaign. According to Bass, manager Kevin Cash expects Pepiot to be ready for spring training next year. |
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Jonathan Aranda Jonathan Aranda Taking seat Friday
Fri, May 1, 2026, 2:38 PM
Aranda is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Giants, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: It's just the second day off of the season for Aranda, who has four homers in his past eight games but is batting just .207 with a 33.3 percent strikeout rate during that span. Ryan Vilade is picking up a start at first base Friday for Tampa Bay. |
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Drew Rasmussen Drew Rasmussen Fans six in first loss of season
Wed, Apr 29, 2026, 5:47 PM
Rasmussen (2-1) took the loss Wednesday as the Rays were downed 3-1 by the Guardians, giving up three runs (two earned) on six hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out six.
Analysis: The right-hander was lifted after 91 pitches (65 strikes) in a close game, but Tampa Bay's offense couldn't mount a comeback and get him off the hook for his first loss of 2026. Rasmussen did manage to keep the ball in the yard after serving up five homers in his first 25.2 innings this season, but that's been the only real issue for him. He'll take a 2.64 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 32:5 K:BB through 30.2 frames into his next start, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Blue Jays. |
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Ben Williamson Ben Williamson On bench for second straight
Wed, Apr 29, 2026, 9:47 AM
Williamson is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Guardians, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: After making five consecutive starts in the middle infield, Williamson now finds himself on the bench for the second straight game, with both absences coming while the Rays have faced right-handed pitchers. Williamson looks like he'll continue to share second base with Richie Palacios until Gavin Lux (shoulder/ankle) is cleared to return from the injured list. |
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Nick Fortes Nick Fortes Resting Wednesday
Wed, Apr 29, 2026, 9:38 AM
Fortes is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Guardians, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Fortes will rest for Wednesday's matinee contest after starting behind the dish in the first two games of the series in Cleveland. Hunter Feduccia is set to handle catching duties for the Rays. |
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Junior Caminero Junior Caminero Back in lineup Wednesday
Wed, Apr 29, 2026, 9:37 AM
Caminero (jaw) will start at third base and bat second in Wednesday's game against the Guardians.
Analysis: Caminero was forced to exit Tuesday's contest after a foul tip bounced off the dirt and struck him in the jaw. He escaped with merely a contusion and will not have to miss any starts. Caminero has started every game for the Rays this season. |
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Chandler Simpson Chandler Simpson Pilfers bag No. 10
Wed, Apr 29, 2026, 7:55 AM
Simpson went 1-for-4 with a walk, a double and a stolen base in Tuesday's 1-0 win over the Guardians.
Analysis: The speedster did his best to set the table from the leadoff spot in a tight pitchers' duel, but Simpson didn't get cashed in either time he got into scoring position. The 10 steals have him tied for third in the American League with Bobby Witt, behind Jose Caballero's 12 and Jose Ramirez's 11, and Simpson's added a .307/.344/.351 slash line with six RBI and 14 runs in 29 games. |
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Cole Sulser Cole Sulser Collects first save of year
Wed, Apr 29, 2026, 7:51 AM
Sulser gave up a hit and a walk in a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday to record his first save of the season in a 1-0 win over the Guardians. He struck out two.
Analysis: Bryan Baker had pitched the prior two days and three of the last four, so Tampa Bay's closer got a breather while Sulser handled the ninth in his place. The 36-year-old righty delivered his sixth straight scoreless appearance, and the save was his first since 2022 when he was a member of the Marlins. Sulser has moved into a high-leverage role in an injury-shortened Rays bullpen, picking up holds in his last two appearances coming into Tuesday, but his 3.24 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 13:8 K:BB through 16.2 innings on the season don't inspire a lot of confidence. |
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Nick Martinez Nick Martinez Dazzles again in second win
Wed, Apr 29, 2026, 7:46 AM
Martinez (2-1) picked up the win Tuesday, allowing three hits and a walk over seven-plus scoreless innings in a 1-0 victory over the Guardians. He struck out four.
Analysis: The right-hander's bid for a complete game ended after 78 pitches (54 strikes) when he walked Travis Bazzana to lead off the eighth inning, but three Tampa Bay relievers teamed up to complete the combined shutout. Martinez has four quality starts in six trips to the mound to begin the season, and he has yet to give up more than two runs in any outing. He'll take a 1.70 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 24:9 K:BB through 37 innings into his next start, which is scheduled to come at home early next week against the Blue Jays. |
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Gavin Lux Gavin Lux Cold hitting in rehab assignment
Tue, Apr 28, 2026, 10:23 PM
Lux (shoulder/ankle) went 1-for-3 with two walks and a run scored Tuesday in a rehab game for Triple-A Durham.
Analysis: Lux has hit safely in each of his last three outings since resuming his rehab assignment. The infielder, who's recovering from a right should impingement, sprained his left ankle April 11 with Durham, but he should be able to make his season debut with the Rays at some point in early May if all goes smoohtly. Through 40 minor-league at bats, Lux is hitting just .150 with three doubles, 11 walks and five RBI. |
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Junior Caminero Junior Caminero Day-to-day with jaw contusion
Tue, Apr 28, 2026, 6:24 PM
Caminero has been diagnosed with a right jaw contusion and is considered day-to-day, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Caminero fouled a pitch off in his first at-bat Tuesday, and it bounced off the dirt and came up to hit him in the jaw. After grounding out, Caminero left the game with the training staff. The Rays have a day game Wednesday to wrap up their series with the Guardians followed by an off day Thursday. |
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Junior Caminero Junior Caminero Exits game in first inning
Tue, Apr 28, 2026, 5:33 PM
Caminero was removed from Tuesday's game against the Guardians in the first inning after fouling a ball off the right side of his face, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Caminero fouled off a pitch that hit the ground and then bounced up and hit him in the right side of the face. He stayed in to finish his at-bat and grounded out before then walking down the tunnel with the training staff. Ben Williamson has entered the game at second base, and Richie Palacios has shifted over to third base for Tampa Bay. |
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Bryan Baker Bryan Baker Survives for seventh save
Mon, Apr 27, 2026, 10:27 PM
Baker notched the save Monday against the Guardians, allowing two hits and one walk in a scoreless ninth inning. He struck out two.
Analysis: The right-hander did allow the possible tying and go-ahead runs to get into scoring position, but he was able to get two clutch strikeouts to finish off Cleveland. With Edwin Uceta (shoulder) out for at least another month and Griffin Jax quickly falling out of favor as the Rays' closer, Baker is solidifying his grip as Tampa Bay's primary ninth-inning option. Through 11.1 frames, Baker owns a 3.18 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB while converting seven of his nine save chances. |
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Steven Matz Steven Matz Seven strong innings in fourth win
Mon, Apr 27, 2026, 10:07 PM
Matz (4-1) notched the win Monday against the Guardians, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk in seven innings. He struck out two.
Analysis: Matz did serve up a two-run home run to Daniel Schneemann in the fifth inning, but it was smooth sailing otherwise for the hurler. The 34-year-old southpaw turned in his longest outing of the campaign so far, though the two strikeouts did match a season low. Matz has been serviceable for the Rays during his transition back into a starter, posting a 4.31 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 27:11 K:BB over 31.1 frames, and he should hold onto streaming appeal with a home start against the Giants on tap for this weekend. |
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Garrett Cleavinger Garrett Cleavinger Tracking toward weekend return
Mon, Apr 27, 2026, 4:03 PM
Rays manager Kevin Cash said Monday that Cleavinger (calf) is on track to rejoin the active roster "closer to the weekend," Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Analysis: Cleavinger has already made four rehab appearances with Triple-A Durham but has been shaky, yielding four runs with a 4:5 K:BB. The Rays want him to have a couple more rehab outings to sharpen things up before activating the reliever this weekend. Cleavinger has been out since late March with right calf tightness. |
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