LUKE RALEY NEWS

Returns to lineup Sunday Raley (side) is hitting sixth and playing first base against the Red Sox on Sunday.

Impact Raley was scratched from the lineup in the first game of a doubleheader against Boston on Saturday, and he didn't return for the second game, as well. The 28-year-old is feeling well enough to hit in the middle of the Tampa Bay lineup versus the Red Sox on Sunday, and he should be good to go for the Rays' upcoming slate.

JUNE 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Remains sidelined Raley (side) will not start the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against Boston, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Impact Raley was scratched from the lineup for the afternoon game due to side soreness, and while initial reports indicated that he'd be available for the nightcap, he won't be involved from the start. Instead, Randy Arozarena will rest his legs in the designated hitter spot while Harold Ramirez starts in left field.

JUNE 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Expected back for nightcap Raley (side/stomach) is expected to play in the second half of Saturday's doubleheader versus the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Raley was scratched from the Rays' lineup for the early tilt at Fenway Park after feeling something in his right side or stomach, but it's not considered a serious concern. Harold Ramirez is handling DH duties and batting fifth to open the twin-bill in Boston.

JUNE 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Scratched for Game 1 Raley was scratched from the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact It's unclear why Raley was taken out of the lineup, but the Rays should provide more information shortly. Harold Ramirez will enter as Tampa Bay's designated hitter instead.

JUNE 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

On bench for series finale Raley is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact The lefty-hitting Raley started each of the past three games, but he'll head to the bench for the series finale while southpaw Justin Steele toes the rubber for Chicago. Though he doesn't have a direct path to a regular lineup spot at any one position, Raley's ability to play first base and the corner outfield or to serve as a designated hitter should afford him fairly steady playing time while he's wielding a hot bat.

MAY 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Swipes seventh bag Raley went 2-for-3 with a double, two RBI, three runs scored and a steal in Sunday's 11-10 victory over the Dodgers.

Impact The 6-foot-4, 235-pound Raley has emerged as an unlikely source of steals -- he's now 7-for-7 on stolen base attempts, all coming in his last 12 games. Raley has had a productive season with the bat, as well. He's now slashing .254/.346/.568 with 10 homers, 21 RBI and 23 runs scored through 136 at-bats while playing the long side of a platoon in Tampa.

MAY 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up another start Raley will start in left field and bat eighth in Sunday's game against the Dodgers.

Impact Raley's path to playing time at first base is more muddled now that Yandy Diaz has returned to the team following a brief absence due to a personal matter, but Raley could continue to see semi-frequent starts as a fourth outfielder or designated hitter. The 28-year-old -- who has posted an .862 OPS while chipping in six stolen bases thus far in May -- will spell a resting Randy Arozarena in left field in Sunday's series finale.

MAY 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Chipping in stolen bases Raley went 0-for-2 with two walks, two runs scored and two stolen bases Thursday against the Blue Jays.

Impact Raley didn't have a big game at first glance, though his pair of stolen bases gives him six on the campaign. He entered the season having failed to even attempt a stolen base across 144 career plate appearances. Raley is also a significant source of power production with 10 home runs and is a regular in the Rays' lineup against right-handed pitchers.

MAY 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Pops ninth homer Raley went 1-for-3 with a solo home run Monday against the Blue Jays.

Impact Raley popped his ninth home run of the season off Chris Bassitt in the seventh inning. It was his first homer since April 30, a span of 15 games and 43 at-bats. Raley remains a regular in the lineup with right-handers on the mound, though he has yet to start against a southpaw this season.

MAY 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Slugs eighth homer in win Raley went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Monday's win 3-0 win over the Orioles.

Impact Raley continues to be an all-or-nothing hitter, slugging eight home runs over 85 plate appearances while striking out 30 times. Given his prolific power numbers, it'll be hard to keep him out of the starting lineup. However, the Rays have numerous offensive threats, so they may choose to keep playing him exclusively against right-handed starters.

MAY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gets start at first base Raley is starting at first base and batting eighth for the Rays on Monday in Baltimore, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Yandy Diaz will slide into the designated hitter spot while Raley handles first. Raley has been a true all-or-nothing hitter this season, slugging seven home runs while posting a 39.7 percent strikeout rate.

MAY 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Swats two homers Raley went 2-for-4 with two homers and three RBI in Sunday's 12-9 loss to the White Sox.

Impact Raley went back-to-back with Taylor Walls in the fourth inning for his first home run of the day, which was a solo shot. He then went back-to-back again, this time with Christian Bethancourt in the eighth for a two-run blast. Raley now has five hits, three homers and six RBI over his last three games and continues to be a lineup fixture against righties only. He upped his slash line to .226/.300/.613 and raised his OPS to .913 after the two-homer day.

MAY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Has first three-hit game of season Raley went 3-for-5 with one double, one home run, three RBI and two runs scored in Thursday's win over the White Sox.

Impact This was Raley's best game at the plate since April 3rd against Washington, when he smacked two homers. That was the outfielder's only other multi-hit game of the year, so yesterday's performance was especially rare. The 28-year-old will look to keep improving on his .214/.286/.536 slash line as the season goes on.

APRIL 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Goes long Sunday Raley went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer in Sunday's 4-1 win over the White Sox.

Impact Raley got the scoring started for the Rays with a two-run blast off Lucas Giolito in the second inning, keeping the streak alive for the Rays who have now homered in each of their first 22 games. Raley broke a five-game hitting slump and is struggling to a slash line of .188/.273/.479. He has four home runs, nine RBI and a 4:19 BB:K and has solely hit against righties this year.

APRIL 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Moves to bench Monday Raley is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Reds, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Raley, Josh Lowe and Harold Ramirez all appear to be vying for two regular spots in the lineup versus right-handed pitching, and Raley will find himself as the odd man out Monday. Since slugging three home runs in his first five games of the season, Raley has slashed .174/.269/.261 over a stretch of eight contests.

APRIL 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Manoah K's Raley | 04/16/2023 Alek Manoah strikes out Luke Raley with a fastball in the top of the 5th inning

APRIL 16, 2023 • MLB.COM

Garners another start Raley is starting in left field and batting fifth for the Rays on Friday in Toronto.

Impact Raley has been in the lineup all nine times the Rays have faced a right-hander this season and hasn't hit lower than fifth. He hasn't done much outside of a two-game stretch against the Nationals earlier this month, but Tampa Bay clearly wants to see what he can do versus righties.

APRIL 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting against lefty Raley is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact The lefty-hitting Raley will see a string of four straight starts come to an end with Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash opting to play matchups against Boston southpaw Chris Sale. Tampa Bay is going with all-righty-hitting outfield of Randy Arozarena, Manuel Margot and Harold Ramirez from left to right.

APRIL 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Rays top Red Sox 1-0, extend season-opening win streak to 10

The Tampa Bay Rays became the first major league team since the 1987 Milwaukee Brewers to open the season with 10 straight wins, getting a solo homer from Brandon Lowe in the eight...

APRIL 11, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Out against lefty Raley isn't in the Rays' lineup for Friday's game against the Athletics, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Impact After going deep three times in two games, Raley will now miss his second straight game with fellow lefty Ken Waldichuk starting the game for Oakland. Harold Ramirez will serve as Tampa Bay's designated hitter instead, batting fifth.

APRIL 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Goes yard again Raley went 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI in Tuesday's 10-6 win over the Nationals.

Impact After his first-inning sacrifice fly gave the Rays an early 3-0 lead, Raley took Nats closer Kyle Finnegan deep in the ninth to kick-start a three-homer, five-run comeback. Raley has gone yard three times in the last two games and is hitting .308 (4-for-13) to begin the season with four runs and six RBI, and he appears to be bashing his way into a strong-side platoon role in Tampa Bay's OF/1B/DH mix. The 28-year-old's career .298/.390/.544 slash line over 168 games at Triple-A comes with 40 homers and 19 steals, so this production could be legit, but he has yet to prove he's more than just a Quad-A player.

APRIL 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Rays hit 3 HRs in 9th, rally past Nats 10-6 for 5-0 start

Luke Raley, Josh Lowe and Yandy Díaz homered in the ninth inning as the undefeated Tampa Bay Rays rallied for a 10-6 win over the Washington Nationals

APRIL 5, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Goes deep twice Monday Raley went 2-for-3 with a pair of home runs, a walk and three total RBI in Monday's 6-2 win over the Nationals.

Impact Raley was the surprise offensive star for Tampa Bay in the team's fourth straight win, as he kicked off the scoring with a two-run homer in the first inning and added a solo shot in the eighth. Raley has gotten into each of the Rays' first four games this season, going 3-for-10 with four RBI.

APRIL 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Luke Raley goes deep twice as perfect Rays beat Nats Luke Raley homered twice, and the Tampa Bay Rays remained perfect through four games by defeating the host Washington Nationals 6-2 on Monda...

APRIL 4, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Luke Raley goes deep twice as perfect Rays beat Nats Luke Raley homered twice, and the Tampa Bay Rays remained perfect through four games by defeating the host Washington Nationals 6-2 on Monda...

APRIL 4, 2023 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM