MIKE ZUNINO NEWS

Perez's 1st HR a big one as Rays eek past O's The Rays didn’t play their cleanest game of the season on Wednesday, but they were still able to come away with a 4-3 win over the Orioles a...

AUGUST 27, 2020 • MLB.COM

Out of Wednesday's lineup Zunino is not in Wednesday's lineup against the Orioles.

Impact He is hitting .133 with three home runs and a 46.9 percent strikeout rate in 45 at-bats this month. Michael Perez will start at catcher and bat eighth.

AUGUST 26, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Slugs pair of doubles Zunino went 2-for-3 with two doubles in a loss to the Blue Jays on Monday.

Impact The veteran backstop still has a long way to go before propping his offensive numbers up to acceptable standards, but going by the extremely low bar he'd previously set this season, Zunino is swinging a hot bat the moment. The 29-year-old is 4-for-15 with Monday's pair of two-baggers, two home runs and four RBI over his last five contests, a proverbial oasis in the desert in a very difficult campaign overall. Zunino's struggles prior to the current stretch were such that his four hits over the last five contests have quickly boosted his season average 45 points, but he still carries an anemic .136 figure over 66 plate appearances.

AUGUST 25, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Resting Sunday Zunino is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Blue Jays, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Impact Zunino will take a seat for the matinee game after starting at catcher in three of the Rays' previous four contests. Michael Perez will step in behind the plate Sunday and will bat ninth.

AUGUST 23, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Out of lineup Zunino is not starting Friday's game against the Blue Jays.

Impact Zunino hits the bench despite homering in each of the last two games. Michael Perez will start behind the plate in his absence.

AUGUST 21, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Homers in second straight Zunino went 1-for-3 with a three-run homer and walk in Thursday's 10-5 win over the Yankees.

Impact Zunino extended the Rays' lead to 8-4 with his three-run shot off Luis Avilan in the sixth inning. Although the backstop has an awful .118/.224/.373 slash line, he has at least provided some power with four homers on the campaign.

AUGUST 21, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Zunino goes deep, Rays sweep Yanks for 1st in AL East The Tampa Bay Rays completed their first sweep at Yankee Stadium in six years and took over first place in the AL East, getting a three-run...

AUGUST 20, 2020 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Zunino goes deep, Rays sweep Yanks for 1st in AL East

The Tampa Bay Rays completed their first sweep at Yankee Stadium in six years and took over first place in the AL East, getting a three-run homer from Mike Zunino in a 10-5 victory...

AUGUST 20, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Smacks third homer Zunino went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Wednesday against the Yankees.

Impact Zunino took Gerrit Cole deep in the third inning to record his third home run of the season. He's been abysmal at the plate to this point, collecting only five hits -- four of which have gone for extra-bases -- across 54 plate appearances. That has led a to a .104/.204/.313 line to go along with six RBI and six runs scored.

AUGUST 20, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Rays beat Yankees again 4-2; Cole's streak intact after ND

Pinch-hitter Mike Brosseau singled home the tiebreaking run in the eighth inning and the streaking Tampa Bay Rays beat the New York Yankees again, taking advantage of a costly erro...

AUGUST 20, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Not in Tuesday's lineup Zunino will not start Tuesday's game against the Yankees, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Impact Zunino sits for the second straight game, with Michael Perez again getting the nod behind the plate. It's hardly a surprise to see Zunino lose playing time, as he's hitting .091/.200/.250 on the season.

AUGUST 18, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Resting Sunday Zunino is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Zunino was behind the plate earlier in the day for the resumption of Saturday's suspended game, so he'll just be getting a breather in what's essentially the equivalent of the second half of a doubleheader. Michael Perez will catch for starting pitcher Yonny Chirinos in the nightcap.

AUGUST 16, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting Friday Zunino is not starting Friday against Toronto, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Impact Zunino began the year at the top of the depth chart behind the plate in Tampa, starting 11 of the team's first 14 games, but his playing time has been understandably decreasing lately as he owns a .504 OPS, a mark right in line with his .544 OPS from last season. He and Michael Perez, who starts Friday, have alternated starts over the last eight contests.

AUGUST 14, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Contributes to offensive barrage Zunino went 1-for-5 with a home run and four RBI on Thursday against the Red Sox.

Impact Zunino took a Marcus Walden offering yard in sixth inning for a three-run home run, extending the Rays lead to 16-5. It was his second long ball of the season, but first in his last 11 starts. The story on Zunino's shortcomings at the plate remain the same, as he's striking out at a 38 percent clip through 45 plate appearances. Overall, he's hitting .103/.222/.282.

AUGUST 14, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Zunino hits 3-run HR; Rays bash Sox to complete 4-game sweep Hunter Renfroe hit two homers and drove in three runs, Mike Zunino belted a three-run shot over the Green Monster and out of Fenway Park and...

AUGUST 14, 2020 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Zunino hits 3-run HR; Rays bash Sox to complete 4-game sweep

Hunter Renfroe belted two homers and drove in three runs, Mike Zunino hit a three-run shot over the Green Monster and out of Fenway Park and the Rays spoiled Kyle Hart's major-leag...

AUGUST 14, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sitting Wednesday Zunino is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Red Sox, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Impact Zunino will sit after going 0-for-3 with a walk, two strikeouts and a run scored in Tuesday's win. In his stead, Michael Perez is starting behind the plate and hitting ninth.

AUGUST 12, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Not in Monday's lineup Zunino isn't starting Monday against the Red Sox.

Impact Zunino has hit just .097/.222/.226 with a solo home run and 14 strikeouts over 13 games this season, and he'll sit for the second time in the past three games. Michael Perez will start at catcher Monday and bat ninth.

AUGUST 10, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

On bench for Game 2 Zunino isn't in the lineup for the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Yankees.

Impact After recording a hit and scoring a run in the afternoon game Saturday, Zunino will retreat to the bench. Michael Perez will start behind the dish and bat ninth.

AUGUST 8, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Heads to bench Zunino is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Red Sox, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Impact Zunino is the clear starter behind the plate for the Rays this season, but, like all catchers, he won't start every day. He'll sit in favor of Michael Perez for just the third time in the season's first 11 games Tuesday.

AUGUST 4, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Fried dominates, retires first 14, as Braves edge Rays 2-1

Max Fried retired Tampa Bay’s first 14 batters and combined with three relievers on a four-hitter as the Atlanta Braves beat the Rays 2-1

JULY 31, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sitting Tuesday Zunino is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against Atlanta, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Impact Zunino sits for the second time in five games so far this season. Michael Perez will fill in for him behind the plate.

JULY 28, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Kicks off rout Monday Zunino went 1-for-2 with a solo home run and a second run scored in Monday's 14-5 win over Atlanta.

Impact His third-inning blast off Mike Foltynewicz got the Rays offense rolling and gave Zunino his first long ball of the year. The 29-year-old catcher has started three of four games so far but has yet to play all nine innings in any of them, and the team's willingness to sub him out could end up costing Zunino some counting-stat production by the end of the season.

JULY 27, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Joins 40-man roster Smith was added to the Rays' 40-man roster Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Smith has been competing for a potential third catcher spot throughout camp, and he was added to the 40-man roster after Colin Poche (elbow) was placed on the 45-day injured list. The 32-year-old will begin the season as Tampa Bay's third catcher behind Mike Zunino and Michael Perez, per Juan Toribio of MLB.com.

JULY 21, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

AL East Preview Capsules

JULY 17, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS