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Tampa Bay Rays

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Chris Devenski Chris Devenski Building up workload Wed, Feb 14, 2024, 9:19 PM The Rays plan to build Devenski up to three innings by mid-March, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports. Analysis: Devenski ended the 2023 season with the Rays and re-signed with the club in free agency. He hasn't made a start in the majors since 2019 and that was only a two-inning appearance. Given that, he's unlikely to be a traditional starter in 2024, but he is lining up for a potential multi-frame relief role.
Tyler Alexander Tyler Alexander Completes side session Wed, Feb 14, 2024, 10:28 AM Alexander (lat) threw a bullpen session Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: While he was with the Tigers last season, Alexander didn't make any appearances after July 2 due to a left lat strain. He's seemingly entering his first Rays camp with few restrictions, if any, as he was throwing Wednesday alongside the team's other healthy relievers. The lefty turned in an unremarkable 4.50 ERA in 44 appearances with Detroit in 2023, but he had stronger underlying metrics (3.66 xERA, 3.48 SIERA, career-best 21.5 K-BB%). The Rays claimed him off waivers in November after the Tigers non-tendered him and are hoping that he can serve as a reliable multi-inning option out of the bullpen.
Shane McClanahan Shane McClanahan Placed on 60-day IL Wed, Feb 14, 2024, 8:11 AM The Rays placed McClanahan (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports. Analysis: Tampa Bay needed to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Phil Maton. McClanahan will be sidelined until 2025 while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Jason Adam Jason Adam Loses arbitration case Tue, Feb 13, 2024, 7:42 PM Adam lost his arbitration case to the Rays and will earn $2.7 million in 2024, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports. Analysis: Adam is in the second year of arbitration eligibility and asked for $3.25 million. He's turned in two excellent seasons with the Rays, and he posted a 2.98 ERA and 1.01 WHIP with 12 saves and 11 holds in 2023. Adam should remain a high-leverage reliever for the team in 2024, even if Pete Fairbanks ends up with most of the save opportunities.
Taylor Walls Taylor Walls Expected in mid-April Tue, Feb 13, 2024, 6:52 PM Walls (hip) is expected to take the field within two or three weeks of the start of the regular season, MLB.com reports. Analysis: Walls is recovering from hip surgery and won't be ready to take the field on Opening Day. There hasn't been much detailed information about his rehab, but he has resumed defensive work while taking swings off a tee. He's also begun running to test the range of motion in his hip. Assuming he remains on track, Walls shouldn't miss much time and will compete with Jose Caballero for the starting shortstop job once activated from the injured list.
Garrett Cleavinger Garrett Cleavinger No restrictions in spring training Tue, Feb 13, 2024, 12:45 PM Cleavinger (knee) will not have any restrictions during spring training, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: Cleavinger had ACL and meniscus surgery on his right knee last May but has made a full recovery. The left-hander boasts a 2.64 ERA and 39:10 K:BB over 30.2 innings during his time with the Rays and should work his way back into a high-leverage bullpen role.
Shane Baz Shane Baz Will be built up slowly Tue, Feb 13, 2024, 12:42 PM Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander said Tuesday that Baz (elbow) will be built up slowly coming out of spring training, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: Baz had Tommy John surgery nearly 17 months ago and has completed that rehab. However, since he's coming off a lost season and didn't have ton of pro innings under his belt prior to that, the team will proceed cautiously with the young right-hander. Whether that could mean starting his season at extended spring training or in the minors isn't clear. Baz posted a 4.02 ERA and 48:12 K:BB over 40.1 innings covering nine starts for Tampa Bay from 2021-22.
Drew Rasmussen Drew Rasmussen Late-season return expected Tue, Feb 13, 2024, 12:36 PM Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander indicated Tuesday that he doesn't expect Rasmussen (elbow) back until well into the second half of the season, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: Neander listed July or August as a timetable for Jeffrey Springs (elbow) and added that Rasmussen's return isn't expected until sometime after that. The right-hander underwent an internal brace procedure in July and probably can't be counted on as an impact fantasy option again until 2025.
Jeffrey Springs Jeffrey Springs Looking at July-August return Tue, Feb 13, 2024, 12:31 PM Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander said Tuesday that Springs (elbow) is on track to return in July or August, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: Springs underwent Tommy John surgery in late April, so the timetable Neander offered up would have the left-hander back in around 16 months. Of course, it's a rough timeline at this point, and Springs will be facing workload restrictions when he does make it back. Fantasy managers shouldn't be counting on a major impact until 2025.
Rene Pinto Rene Pinto Set up for big workload Tue, Feb 13, 2024, 12:24 PM Rays manager Kevin Cash said Tuesday that the team is "going to lean heavy" on Pinto at catcher this season, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: The Rays traded Christian Bethancourt this offseason and didn't really replace him, leaving Alex Jackson and Rob Brantly to battle for the backup job. Pinto popped six home runs in 38 games last season and rated very well from an average exit velocity (90.5 mph) and barrel rate (15.9 percent) perspective, but a 34:2 K:BB was worrisome. It sounds like he's going to receive all the playing time he can handle, and he has enough power to be relevant in two-catcher leagues.
Brendan McKay Brendan McKay Making good impression Mon, Feb 12, 2024, 9:12 AM McKay (elbow) has impressed the Rays with how he looked toward the end of last season and early on this spring, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: McKay didn't pitch at all in 2023 while recovering from Tommy John surgery and before that accumulated a total of only 28 innings from 2020-22 due to arm problems. However, the former top prospect has evidently bounced back well and will be looking to continue the momentum as a non-roster invitee in spring training. Now 28, McKay almost surely will need to go to the minors for a while to make up for lost time, but he's worth tracking.
Junior Caminero Junior Caminero Unlikely to make Opening Day roster Mon, Feb 12, 2024, 9:05 AM Caminero is unlikely to crack the Rays' Opening Day roster, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: Caminero made his major-league debut in late September of last year, skipping over the Triple-A level. That promotion was made in part due to need, though, and the fact that he's just 20 and has only 81 games of Double-A experience and zero Triple-A experience under his belt points to more seasoning required. Caminero forcing his way onto the roster with a dominant spring training can't be ruled out, but fantasy managers should expect him to spend some time back in the minors first.
Rene Pinto Rene Pinto Headed for big opportunity Wed, Feb 7, 2024, 10:57 PM Pinto is currently the only catcher on the Rays 40-man roster and is expected to get a lot of opportunity in the starting lineup, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports. Analysis: Pinto emerged as a viable backup across the second half of the 2023 season, but he should see a more significant role with both Christian Bethancourt and Francisco Mejia in new organizations. Across 105 plate appearances last year, Pinto posted a .204 ISO and 98 wRC+, though those marks also came with a 32.4 percent strikeout rate and only a 1.9 percent walk rate. His batting average could be a significant concern as a result, though Pinto should be well-positioned to be a regular in the lineup.
Phil Maton Phil Maton Signs with Tampa Bay Sat, Feb 3, 2024, 8:33 AM Maton signed a contract with the Rays on Saturday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports. Analysis: The 2023 campaign was Maton's best season to date with a 3.00 ERA and 1.12 WHIP alongside a 74:25 K:BB through 66 innings with the Astros. The presence of Pete Fairbanks and Jason Adam will likely prevent Maton from receiving many save opportunities with his new club, but his impressive strikeout rate should allow him to remain an option in high-leverage situations.
Jonathan Aranda Jonathan Aranda Could DH versus righties Tue, Jan 16, 2024, 9:09 AM Aranda could be in line to serve in a strong-side platoon at designated hitter for the Rays, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports. Analysis: It sounds as if Aranda is the top candidate to step into the role vacated by Luke Raley as the DH versus righties and occasional first baseman. A trade of Harold Ramirez, which seems likely, could further clarify Aranda's role. Aranda has posted just a .656 OPS over 190 plate appearances during his limited chances at the major-league level, but the 25-year-old sports a .328/.421/.565 batting line with 43 home runs over the last two seasons at Triple-A Durham. Even if the left-handed batter sits regularly against southpaws, he boasts big fantasy potential.
Jose Caballero Jose Caballero Likely to open at shortstop Tue, Jan 16, 2024, 8:55 AM Caballero is likely to be the Rays' Opening Day shortstop, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports. Analysis: Things could always change if the Rays make further additions, of course, but as things stand right now, Caballero appears to be the favorite to man shortstop in the opener. Acquired earlier this month in a trade with the Mariners, Caballero slashed .221/.343/.320 with four homers and 26 stolen bases over 104 contests in 2023. The 27-year-old could just be keeping the seat warm until Junior Caminero is ready.
Taylor Walls Taylor Walls Not expected for Opening Day Tue, Jan 16, 2024, 8:51 AM Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander revealed last week that it's "unlikely" Walls (hip) will be ready for Opening Day, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports. Analysis: Walls underwent surgery in October to repair a labral tear in his right hip. Manager Kevin Cash had expressed optimism last month that the infielder would be ready for the start of the season, but Neander isn't as hopeful and also noted that, when Walls does make it back, he's unlikely to receive a full workload. Jose Caballero appears poised to be Tampa Bay's Opening Day shortstop.
Jacob Waguespack Jacob Waguespack Joins Tampa on minors deal Mon, Jan 15, 2024, 2:46 PM Waguespack signed a minor-league contract with the Rays on Monday. Analysis: The deal includes an invitation to big-league camp, but the 30-year-old right-hander was most likely brought aboard by the Rays to serve as bullpen depth at Triple-A Durham. Waguespack logged a 4.43 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 9.6 K-BB% across 95.2 innings over parts of two seasons in the majors with the Blue Jays in 2019 and 2020, but he's since spent the last two campaigns overseas in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball with the Orix Buffaloes. He struggled in his second season with Orix in 2023, pitching to a 5.77 ERA over 43.2 innings.
Isaac Paredes Isaac Paredes Avoids arbitration with Rays Thu, Jan 11, 2024, 4:45 PM Paredes signed a one-year, $3.4 million contract with the Rays on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports. Analysis: 2023 was Paredes' best season at the plate to date. He slashed .250/.352/.488 with 31 homers and 98 RBI across 571 plate appearances and cemented himself as the Rays' primary third baseman. He receives a $2.665 million raise and is under team control through 2027.
Colin Poche Colin Poche Gets $2.375 million from Rays Thu, Jan 11, 2024, 4:38 PM Poche signed a one-year, $2.375 million contract with the Rays on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports. Analysis: 2023 was a breakout year for Poche, who finished the season with a 2.23 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with a 61:24 K:BB across 60.2 innings. His strong campaign earned him a $1.195 million raise, and he'll likely continue working as Tampa Bay's left-handed setup man in 2024.