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Tampa Bay Rays

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Jadher Areinamo Jadher Areinamo Moved to minors camp Thu, Mar 5, 2026, 3:10 PM The Rays optioned Areinamo (hamstring) to minor-league camp Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: Areinamo played in just one Grapefruit League game this spring, during which he singled in his lone at-bat and scored before exiting with a sore right hamstring. It remains unclear how far away he is from returning to action, but he will report to Double-A Montgomery or Triple-A Durham when healthy.
Gavin Lux Gavin Lux Tracking toward games next week Thu, Mar 5, 2026, 8:48 AM Rays manager Kevin Cash said Thursday that Lux (upper body) has "had three really good days" and is on track for his Grapefruit League debut early next week, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: Lux has been battling through an upper-body issue that the Rays have described previously as general soreness. He is making strides in his recovery and will get into game action in a few days if things continue to move in a positive direction. Projected to be the Rays' primary second baseman, Lux will have about two weeks' worth of games to prep for Opening Day, which isn't ideal but should be enough.
Richie Palacios Richie Palacios Nursing lower-back tightness Thu, Mar 5, 2026, 8:40 AM Palacios is currently sidelined with lower-back tightness, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: Palacios last played Tuesday. Rays manager Kevin Cash said that the utility player will receive "a couple days of treatment and see where we go from there." Palacios is 2-for-15 with one stolen base so far during Grapefruit League action.
Cedric Mullins Cedric Mullins Expected to be out multiple days Thu, Mar 5, 2026, 8:36 AM Rays manager Kevin Cash said Thursday that Mullins (back) is feeling better but is "probably not going to play for a little bit," Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: Mullins had to be scratched from Wednesday's Grapefruit League lineup with lower-back tightness. The veteran outfielder's Opening Day availability does not seem to be in danger at this point, but the Rays will be cautious. Mullins is slated to be Tampa Bay's primary center fielder against right-handed pitching this season.
Cedric Mullins Cedric Mullins Scratched with lower-back tightness Wed, Mar 4, 2026, 12:25 PM Mullins was scratched from Wednesday's lineup versus Team Netherlands due to lower-back tightness, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: Consider Mullins -- who is 3-for-10 with one home run and a 2:1 BB:K this spring -- day-to-day for the time being. Jacob Melton entered the Rays' lineup in center field in Mullins' place.
Shane McClanahan Shane McClanahan Successful return to game action Tue, Mar 3, 2026, 10:13 PM McClanahan (triceps) allowed two hits and no walks in two scoreless innings during Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies. He struck out one. Analysis: After missing all of 2024 due to Tommy John surgery and then 2025 due to a nerve-related issue in his left triceps, McClanahan made his long-awaited first appearance back in game action Tuesday. The 28-year-old southpaw got his velocity up to 96.7 mph on his fastball, and he tossed 16 of his 23 pitches for strikes. Barring any setbacks this spring, McClanahan is tentatively slated to make his regular-season debut in the March 31 matchup in Milwaukee versus the Brewers, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.
Gavin Lux Gavin Lux To miss at least one more week Mon, Mar 2, 2026, 10:51 PM Lux is at least one week away from making his Grapefruit League debut due to "general soreness," per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Analysis: Lux is ramping up his activity at Rays camp, and his status for Opening Day still doesn't appear to be in any real jeopardy. After slashing .269/.350/.374 with five home runs and 53 RBI over 503 regular-season plate appearances for the Reds in 2025, the 28-year-old middle infielder is expected to be Tampa Bay's primary second baseman when healthy in 2026.
Edwin Uceta Edwin Uceta Status in doubt for Opening Day Mon, Mar 2, 2026, 10:42 PM Uceta (shoulder) is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Analysis: Pitching coach Kyle Snyder said Monday that Uceta, who's still limited to playing catch, is "probably still another couple of weeks away from getting back on the mound." The 28-year-old right-hander entered Rays camp in the mix for save chances, but now he's at serious risk of having a delayed start to the season. With Uceta's Opening Day status in real jeopardy, Griffin Jax and Garrett Cleavinger appear to be the most likely candidates to close games for Tampa Bay based on matchup.
Steven Wilson Steven Wilson Anticipating short absence Mon, Mar 2, 2026, 10:43 AM Wilson said Sunday that his lower back has responded well to an injection, and he hopes to be ready to make his season debut shortly after Opening Day, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: Wilson's back issue cropped up following his second bullpen session of spring training and prompted the Rays to shut him down. The righty reliever is still waiting for the injection to take full effect, but assuming it alleviates the lingering pain in his back, he should initiate a throwing program in the coming days. Once healthy, Wilson is likely to fill a middle-innings role for Tampa Bay, who acquired him in November after he turned in a 3.42 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 51:22 K:BB over 55.1 innings out of the White Sox bullpen in 2025.
Nick Fortes Nick Fortes Battling for top catcher role Sun, Mar 1, 2026, 6:11 PM Fortes went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta. Analysis: Fortes has now gone 3-for-10 with a walk and two runs scored covering five spring outings. The right-handed-hitting backstop is lined up as Tampa Bay's primary catcher, but the lefty-hitting Hunter Feduccia is a threat to Fortes' reps behind the plate as well. Fortes slashed just .213/.307/.348 with three homers, three doubles, and 11 RBI across 101 regular-season plate appearances after being traded from the Marlins to the Rays at last year's deadline, and he'll likely slot somewhere into the lower part of the lineup to open 2026.
Jacob Melton Jacob Melton Back in action Sunday Sun, Mar 1, 2026, 7:40 AM Melton (thumb) is starting in center field and batting second in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: The 25-year-old was scratched from the lineup Thursday due to soreness in his left thumb, but he's good to go a few days later. Barring an aggravation of the injury, Melton should be in the clear as he competes for a spot on Tampa Bay's Opening Day roster.
Taylor Walls Taylor Walls Starting Saturday's exhibition Sat, Feb 28, 2026, 7:29 AM Walls (oblique) will start at shortstop and bat seventh in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: Walls was slated to make his spring debut last weekend before being scratched due to oblique tightness. The issue didn't set him back much, however, and Walls still has plenty of time to ramp up for Opening Day assuming no further delays. Walls' 2025 season was cut short when he underwent sports hernia surgery in September.
Ryan Pepiot Ryan Pepiot Shaky in Grapefruit League debut Fri, Feb 27, 2026, 11:07 PM Pepiot allowed one unearned run on one hit and two walks in two innings during Friday's Grapefruit League game against Toronto. He struck out two. Analysis: Pepiot showed some signs of rust in his first spring outing, throwing just 19 of his 32 pitches for strikes. The right-hander's fastball velocity topped out at just 94.6 mph as well after averaging 95.2 mph in 2025, so he'll be looking to round into form in the coming weeks. Though he did manage a strong 3.41 ERA and 1.12 WHIP across 16 home starts at hitter-friendly Steinbrenner Field last regular season, Pepiot is still likely looking forward to the Rays moving back to pitcher-friendly Tropicana Field in 2026.
Cedric Mullins Cedric Mullins Swats first spring long ball Fri, Feb 27, 2026, 10:55 PM Mullins went 2-for-2 with a home run and two RBI in Friday's Grapefruit League game against Toronto. Analysis: It was the first homer of spring training for Mullins on Friday. The 31-year-old outfielder is trying to bounce back with the Rays in 2026 after fizzling out in 2025 -- Mullins had posted a .927 OPS through April of last year only to close out the campaign with a .690 OPS covering 498 regular-season plate appearances. With Josh Lowe having been dealt to the Angels over the winter, Mullins should open the season as Tampa Bay's primary center fielder.
Steven Wilson Steven Wilson Out for Opening Day with back issue Fri, Feb 27, 2026, 9:38 AM Rays manager Kevin Cash said Friday that Wilson is dealing with back issues and will not be ready for Opening Day, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: Wilson missed significant time during the 2024 season with back problems, though it's not clear whether this is a recurrence of those issues. The veteran reliever was acquire via trade this offseason and has yet to appear in a Grapefruit League contest. Consider Wilson out indefinitely.
Chandler Simpson Chandler Simpson Making spring debut Fri, Feb 27, 2026, 7:57 AM Simpson (hamstring) is starting in left field and batting sixth in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: The 25-year-old is making his first start of spring training Friday after recovering from left hamstring tightness. Simpson showed off his two-category upside in 109 games as a rookie last season with a .295 batting average and 44 stolen bases, but his stats were otherwise underwhelming with 53 runs scored, 26 RBI and no home runs.
Shane McClanahan Shane McClanahan Set for spring debut Tuesday Thu, Feb 26, 2026, 11:18 AM McClanahan (triceps) is scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut Tuesday against the Phillies, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: McClanahan worked two simulated innings in live batting practice Thursday and made it through without issues, paving the way for the left-hander to get into game action next week. By all accounts, McClanahan has been healthy for spring training and is aiming to be part of the Rays' rotation to begin the season.
Jacob Melton Jacob Melton Scratched due to sore thumb Thu, Feb 26, 2026, 8:28 AM Melton was scratched from Thursday's Grapefruit League game versus the Red Sox due to a slightly sore left thumb, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: At the moment, it doesn't seem like an injury that will force Melton to miss more than a day or two. The 25-year-old outfielder has gone 2-for-9 with one home run and a 1:5 BB:K in his first four games this spring as he attempts to win a spot on the Rays' Opening Day roster. Homer Bush will start Thursday in Melton's place.
Hunter Feduccia Hunter Feduccia Competing for top catcher spot Tue, Feb 24, 2026, 11:12 PM Feduccia went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins. Analysis: The Rays have a fairly open competition for the top catcher gig ahead of the regular season, though the expectation for now is that the righty-hitting Nick Fortes will handle the primary spot to start the new year. That said, it's not out of the question that the lefty-hitting Feduccia could eventually carve out a strong-side platoon role behind the plate if he outperforms Fortes during spring training.
Yandy Diaz Yandy Diaz Goes yard in Grapefruit League Tue, Feb 24, 2026, 11:04 PM Diaz went 1-for-1 with a solo home run, two walks and an additional run scored in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins. Analysis: Diaz crushed a career-high 25 homers in 2025, and he's off to a fast start in spring training. It'll be interesting to see how Tampa Bay's move back to pitcher-friendly Tropicana Field in 2026 might affect the 34-year-old first baseman's power numbers -- 18 of Diaz's long balls came from the more hitter-friendly George M. Steinbrenner Field last season.