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Trevor Martin Trevor Martin Loses 40-man spot
Thu, Aug 13, 2026, 1:30 PM
The Rays designated Martin for assignment Thursday.
Analysis: Martin will cede his spot on the 40-man roster to Jorge Mateo, who officially signed a major-league deal with the Rays on Thursday. The 25-year-old righty has given up four runs in 11.1 innings with Tampa Bay this year and owns a 3.09 ERA through 43.2 frames at Durham, though his inability to limit traffic may deter teams from picking him up via waivers. |
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Carson Williams Carson Williams Optioned to Triple-A
Thu, Aug 13, 2026, 1:26 PM
The Rays optioned Williams to Triple-A Durham on Thursday.
Analysis: Williams will lose his place with the big club after the Rays signed Jorge Mateo to a major-league deal Thursday. Williams owns a .710 OPS across 358 plate appearances in the minors this year but has been overmatched by big-league pitching, slashing just .108/.154/.216 over 16 games with the Rays. |
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Michael Grove Michael Grove Relegated to Triple-A
Thu, Aug 13, 2026, 1:21 PM
The Rays optioned Grove to Triple-A Durham on Thursday.
Analysis: After giving up two home runs in two innings Wednesday, Grove will end up as the odd man out of a roster spot to make room for Jesse Scholtens, who was recalled from Durham in a corresponding move. Grove has now given up four earned runs in seven innings with the Rays but could still return to the big leagues down the stretch to provide a fresh bullpen arm. |
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Jesse Scholtens Jesse Scholtens Recalled from Durham
Thu, Aug 13, 2026, 1:18 PM
The Rays recalled Scholtens from Triple-A Durham on Thursday.
Analysis: Scholtens owns a 3.82 ERA and 1.27 WHIP through 37.2 frames in the majors this year but has fired 10.2 consecutive shutout innings at Triple-A. He'll return to the big leagues presumably to make a spot start during the Rays' upcoming series against Baltimore. Michael Grove was optioned to Durham in a corresponding move. |
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Moves past back injury
Thu, Aug 13, 2026, 12:15 PM
Blanco (back) has appeared in eight games in the Dominican Summer League, slashing .278/.618/.278 with seven stolen bases.
Analysis: Blanco was held out of action to begin the DSL season while he recovered from a stress fracture in his lower back, but he was cleared to debut July 23. The switch-hitting shortstop hasn't hit for much power, but he's displayed a disciplined plate approach (16:4 BB:K) and has been active on the bases. Blanco hasn't played since Aug. 4, but the Rays haven't revealed whether he's dealing with any sort of setback on the health front. |
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Liam Hicks Liam Hicks Sparks offense in Wednesday's win
Wed, Aug 12, 2026, 10:23 PM
Hicks went 3-for-5 with a double and a three-run home run in Wednesday's 8-4 win over the A's.
Analysis: Hicks' fourth-inning shot off Jack Perkins broke open what had been a close contest, and it gave the former Marlin his second homer in eight games as a member of the Rays. Since coming over to the AL, Hicks has gone 8-for-26 (.308) with three doubles, three runs, nine RBI and an impressive 4:1 BB:K. |
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Drew Rasmussen Drew Rasmussen Collects 12th win
Wed, Aug 12, 2026, 10:19 PM
Rasmussen (12-5) picked up the win in Wednesday's 8-4 victory over the A's, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out three.
Analysis: A two-run third inning by the home side put the only blemish on Rasmussen's line and snapped his scoreless streak at 22.2 innings, and the right-hander left the mound after 84 pitches (57 strikes) with his team comfortably ahead. Rasmussen has reeled off five straight wins since the All-Star break, posting a 1.20 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 35:6 K:BB over 30 innings during that stretch. He'll look to stay locked in for his next outing, which is set to come at home early next week against the Blue Jays. |
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Jorge Mateo Jorge Mateo Lands with Rays
Wed, Aug 12, 2026, 7:15 PM
Mateo signed a major-league contract with the Rays on Wednesday, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.
Analysis: Mateo was cut by Atlanta over the weekend after clearing waivers, but he'll now receive a new opportunity to carve out a role for himself with the Rays. The 31-year-old has slashed .240/.285/.380 across 137 plate appearances this season and figures to bolster the team's infield depth while Ben Williamson (hamstring) is on the injured list. |
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Chandler Simpson Chandler Simpson Receiving day off
Wed, Aug 12, 2026, 12:12 PM
Simpson is out of the lineup for Wednesday's contest versus the Athletics, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: The fleet-footed Simpson will get a rare day off after he had started in each of the previous 11 tilts. Jonny DeLuca will grab a start in left field while Simpson gets a breather. |
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Griffin Jax Griffin Jax Set to resume throwing soon
Tue, Aug 11, 2026, 7:17 PM
Jax (elbow) received an injection in right elbow after visiting with Dr. Keith Meister in Dallas, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Analysis: Jax was placed on the 15-day injured list with right elbow discomfort Sunday, and manager Kevin Cash outlined that the injection was to "calm the back of the elbow down." Cash also explained that Jax is "in a really good spot," and that the team will, "take the ball out of his hand for two more days and then get him back throwing." Jax appears to have avoided the worst, and he could be on track for a return to action relatively close to when he's first eligible Aug. 21. |
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Gavin Lux Gavin Lux Return unlikely this year
Mon, Aug 10, 2026, 11:17 PM
Lux (shoulder) is unlikely to return this season, per MLB.com.
Analysis: Lux's most recent setback saw him get shut down in mid-July after receiving an injection in his right shoulder. His initial rehab assignment in April was halted by a sprained left ankle, and the infielder was later pulled off another minor-league stint with left shoulder inflammation. The Rays haven't officially ruled out Lux for the remainder of the year, but his status for the rest of 2026 is in major doubt. |
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Shane McClanahan Shane McClanahan Goes through simulated game
Mon, Aug 10, 2026, 11:05 PM
McClanahan (back) threw two innings in a simulated game Thursday, per MLB.com.
Analysis: McClanahan is next scheduled to toss three innings in another outing in the next several days, according to president of baseball operations Erik Neander. The Rays believe the left-hander is dealing with only a minor bout of left mid-back tightness, and McClanahan appears to have a chance of avoiding heading out on a minor-league rehab assignment before rejoining Tampa Bay's rotation. |
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Jake Woodford Jake Woodford Lands with Tampa Bay
Mon, Aug 10, 2026, 8:43 PM
Woodford agreed to a minor-league contract with the Rays on Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis: Woodford was cast off the Cubs' 40-man roster Tuesday and elected free agency a few days later. It didn't take long for the right-hander to find work, as he'll be brought in by the Rays on a minor-league deal to serve as pitching depth. Woodford owns a 7.18 ERA and 1.78 WHIP with 23 strikeouts across 26.1 innings in the big leagues this season between stops in Milwaukee and Chicago. |
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Liam Hicks Liam Hicks Taking seat against lefty
Mon, Aug 10, 2026, 6:05 PM
Hicks is not in the lineup for Monday's contest versus the Athletics.
Analysis: Lefty Jacob Lopez is starting for the Athletics, marking the first time the Rays have faced a southpaw since the left-handed-hitting Hicks joined the club. Nick Fortes will grab a start at catcher while Hicks rests. |
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Cedric Mullins Cedric Mullins Sitting versus southpaw
Mon, Aug 10, 2026, 6:02 PM
Mullins is absent from the lineup for Monday's game against the Athletics.
Analysis: The left-handed-hitting Mullins starts against some lefties, but he'll take a seat Monday as the A's send southpaw Jacob Lopez to the bump. Jonny DeLuca will patrol center field. |
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Cam Booser Cam Booser Tallies seventh hold
Sun, Aug 9, 2026, 9:12 PM
Booser picked up a hold Sunday against Seattle, allowing one hit and no walks in a scoreless seventh inning. He struck out two.
Analysis: After struggling to a 5.52 ERA in 31 innings for the White Sox in 2025, the 34-year-old left-hander continues to serve as a legitimate weapon out of Tampa Bay's bullpen this season. Booser has a 2.08 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 33:5 K:BB over 26 frames, also logging seven holds. |
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Chandler Simpson Chandler Simpson Racks up four more hits
Sun, Aug 9, 2026, 6:39 PM
Simpson went 4-for-5 with a double and a run scored in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Mariners.
Analysis: This was Simpson's fifth multi-hit effort over his last seven games. The double was also his first extra-base hit since July 24 versus the Guardians. The light-hitting outfielder is batting .304 with a .696 OPS, 31 stolen bases, 23 RBI, 48 runs scored, 12 doubles, six triples and no home runs across 110 contests this season. |
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Yandy Diaz Yandy Diaz Collects four hits
Sun, Aug 9, 2026, 6:38 PM
Diaz went 4-for-5 with one RBI and one run scored in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Mariners.
Analysis: Diaz and Chandler Simpson led the way with four hits apiece as the Rays used small ball effectively in this win. While Diaz has hit safely in just three of his seven games in August, those three performances have included multiple hits. He's 8-for-32 (.2500 with two RBI this month, and he's batting .298 with an .821 OPS, 15 home runs, 65 RBI, 62 runs scored, 20 doubles, one triple and three stolen bases through 112 contests overall. |
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Steven Matz Steven Matz Earns save against Mariners
Sun, Aug 9, 2026, 6:36 PM
Matz hit a batter but did not allow a hit or a walk in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Mariners.
Analysis: Matz has allowed one run over 8.2 innings since he returned from a sprained left ankle. This was his first save of the season, though he shouldn't be expected to factor into the late innings often -- he got the chance because Bryan Baker was rested Sunday after pitching the previous two days. Matz has filled a versatile role this year with a 5.55 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 47:20 K:BB through 61.2 innings over 21 games (10 starts). While the Rays' rotation is running a bit thin, Matz's usage out of the bullpen on consecutive days this weekend suggests he'll remain in a multi-inning relief role moving forward. |
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Ian Seymour Ian Seymour Earns third straight win
Sun, Aug 9, 2026, 6:32 PM
Seymour (9-3) allowed one run on five hits and two walks while striking out seven over six innings to earn the win over the Mariners on Sunday.
Analysis: Seymour has won his last three outings (two starts), allowing just three runs over 16.2 innings with a 20:3 K:BB in that span. He had some ups and downs in July but looks to be getting on course as a starter after stretching out in the majors over the last couple of months. Seymour is at a 4.08 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 106:30 K:BB through 90.1 innings over 38 games (nine starts) this season, though he's also had some bulk-relief assignments. The southpaw's next appearance is projected to be at home versus the Orioles, and he should have some security in the rotation while Shane McClanahan (back) and Griffin Jax (elbow) are on the injured list. |
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