MIKE ZUNINO NEWS

Rays rally past Red Sox 8-4, extend lead in AL East

Tampa Bay’s Francisco Mejía singled with the bases loaded in the ninth, Boston’s Hunter Renfroe made a costly error on the play, and it helped the Rays rally past the Red Sox 8-4 o...

AUGUST 11, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Day off Sunday Zunino is out of the lineup Sunday against the Orioles, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Zunino started the last three contests and will receive a maintenance day for Sunday afternoon's series finale. Francisco Mejia will take over behind the plate for Tampa Bay.

AUGUST 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Goes deep in win Zunino went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Mariners.

Impact The 30-year-old launched his 21st homer of the season, and did so against his former team. Zunino has hit just ,154 in his last 10 games, but with his power, he figures to remain the Rays' primary catcher for the remainder of the season regardless of how few hits he records. On the season, Zunino is slashing .192/.291/.511.

AUGUST 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Rays beat Mariners 4-3 to avoid season series sweep

Randy Arozarena had a two-run triple during a three-run third and the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays beat the Seattle Mariners 4-3 to avoid a season series sweep

AUGUST 4, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Takes seat Tuesday Zunino is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Mariners, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Zunino has gone 4-for-29 with one home run and a pair of doubles since the All-Star break. Francisco Mejia will catch and bat eighth Tuesday.

AUGUST 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Rays top Red Sox 3-2 for 3-game sweep, widen lead in East

Shane McClanahan went six strong innings and Brandon Lowe homered as the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays beat the Boston Red Sox 3-2, completing a three-game sweep

AUGUST 2, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sits against righty Zunino is not starting Saturday's game against the Red Sox.

Impact The veteran takes a seat after going 1-for-4 on Friday and snapping a nine-game streak without a home run. Switch-hitting Francisco Mejia will start behind the dish with Nathan Eovaldi pitching for Boston.

JULY 31, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Reaches 20-homer mark Zunino went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 7-3 win over Boston.

Impact With his fourth-inning blast, Zunino achieved his fourth 20-homer season in nine major-league campaigns. The power-hitting catcher is batting just .194 on the year, but he's slugging .512 with 39 RBI and 37 runs scored through 242 plate appearances. He also struck out three times Friday, raising his strikeout rate to 36.8 percent.

JULY 31, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Rays hit 3 HRs, beat the Red Sox 7-3 to tighten AL East race

Yandy Díaz, Mike Zunino and Randy Arozarena homered and the Tampa Bay Rays moved within one-half game of AL East-leading Boston with a 7-3 win over the Red Sox in the opener of a t...

JULY 31, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Not starting Wednesday Zunino isn't starting Wednesday against the Yankees, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Zunino will retreat to the bench for the second time in the last three games after he went 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout Tuesday. Francisco Mejia will start behind the dish and bat eighth.

JULY 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Montgomery stops 8-start winless streak, Yanks top Rays 4-3

Jordan Montgomery stopped an eight-start winless streak, Aaron Judge singled in his return from COVID-19 and the New York Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3

JULY 28, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Indians rally for 3-2 win, end 11-game losing skid to Rays

Bobby Bradley’s sacrifice fly in the eighth inning capped Cleveland’s comeback and sent the Indians to a 3-2 win over Tampa Bay, ending the Indians’ losing streak against the Rays...

JULY 25, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Day off Sunday Zunino is not in the lineup Sunday versus Cleveland, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Zunino started the past two games after missing the previous three contests with hip tightness, and he'll receive the day off Sunday after going 2-for-7 with a double. Francisco Mejia will work behind the plate in his place and bat eighth.

JULY 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Doubles in return to action Zunino (hip) went 1-for-3 with a double in a win over Cleveland on Friday.

Impact The veteran backstop sat out the previous three games with hip tightness, but he authored a successful return in Friday's win. Francisco Mejia hit .417 (5-for-12) with two doubles, a home run and five RBI during Zunino's brief sabbatical, however, and he could conceivably begin eating a bit more into his teammate's playing time as a result.

JULY 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Cruz HR in Rays debut, Tampa Bay beats Cleveland 10th in row

Nelson Cruz homered in his Tampa Bay debut and Joey Wendle hit a go-ahead single in a six-run ninth inning as the Rays beat the Cleveland Indians 10-5

JULY 24, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Good to go Friday Zunino (hip) is starting behind the plate and batting ninth Friday at Cleveland, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Zunino was on the bench the last three games while dealing with tightness in his left hip, but he's ready to rejoin the starting nine Friday. The 30-year-old is 3-for-27 with a home run, a double and five walks in his past 11 contests.

JULY 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Plesac scheduled to start for Cleveland against Tampa Bay

The Rays will start Rich Hill on Friday and the Indians are expected to counter with Zach Plesac

JULY 23, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rays get Nelson Cruz in trade, rally to beat Indians in 10

Austin Meadows hit an RBI single in the 10th inning to cap Tampa Bay’s comeback in a 5-4 win over the Cleveland Indians, hours after the Rays acquired slugger Nelson Cruz from Minn...

JULY 23, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rays at Indians: Luis Patino on the mound, Mike Zunino on the bench The 21-year-old right-hander will get a chance to stick around with a good showing. The All-Star catcher is not starting again.

JULY 22, 2021 • TAMPABAY.COM

Not starting Thursday Zunino (hip) isn't starting Thursday's game against Cleveland, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Impact Zunino will be out of the lineup for a third straight game as he continues to deal with left hip tightness. However, he appeared as a pinch hitter Wednesday and could be available off the bench once again. Francisco Mejia will take over behind the dish and bat eighth.

JULY 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Patino expected to start for the Rays against Indians

The Rays will start Luis Patino on Thursday and the Indians are expected to counter with Cal Quantrill

JULY 22, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Meadows 2-out, 2-run single in 9th, Rays beat Orioles 5-4

Austin Meadows hit a two-out, two-run single in the bottom of the ninth inning and the Tampa Bay Rays rallied past the Baltimore Orioles 5-4

JULY 21, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rays News: Tampa Bay Gets Great Mike Zunino Injury Update The Tampa Bay Rays got a great Mike Zunino injury update as he's expected to return to the lineup on Wednesday.

JULY 21, 2021 • FANDUEL.COM

Won't start Wednesday Zunino (hip) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Orioles, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact He'll be on the bench for a second consecutive game while he continues to deal with a tight left hip after picking up the injury in Monday's series opener. Francisco Mejia will log another start behind the dish Wednesday, but the Rays are seemingly hopeful that Zunino will be ready to catch Thursday in Cleveland.

JULY 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Wacha expected to start as Tampa Bay hosts Baltimore

The Rays will send Michael Wacha to the mound Wednesday and the Orioles plan to give Keegan Akin the start

JULY 21, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS