AUGUST 21, 2022 • TAMPABAY.COM
TAMPA BAY RAYS 80-82 · 4TH IN AL EAST
80-82 · 4TH IN AL EAST
They've been battered and sometimes broken, but Rays bullpen has survived John Romano | For a team that leads the majors in blown saves, Tampa Bay is still incredibly reliant on its collection of diverse relievers.
Pete Fairbanks - Notches fourth save Fairbanks earned the save Sunday, striking out one in a perfect inning in a 3-2 victory over Kansas City.
Impact Fairbanks recorded a save for the second straight day against the Royals and is 4-for-4 in save chances on the season. The 28-year-old spent the first three-plus months on the injured list with a lat injury and, upon returning, allowed a homer on the first pitch he threw. He has not allowed another earned run since then, tossing 12.2 innings. In August, he's thrown 7.2 scoreless innings, allowed just three hits and a walk and struck out 11 batters. Tampa Bay's closer committee continues to be unpredictable but Fairbanks is clearly in the mix to get chances.
AUGUST 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Randy Arozarena - Nabs 23rd bag Arozarena went 1-for-3 with a walk, a run scored and a stolen base in a 3-2 win Sunday over Kansas City.
Impact Arozarena singled, stole second and scored in the first and added a walk in the fifth. It was his 23rd stolen base of the season and second in the last three games. He's posted an 11:15 BB:K over his last 18 games, a dramatic improvement over the 25:104 BB:K he tallied before that. His .840 OPS since the beginning of July matches his career output before this season.
AUGUST 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Ramírez, lights-out 'pen seal third series win in a row ST. PETERSBURG -- After stumbling out of the gate to start the second half, the Rays seem to be hitting their stride as they approach the se...
AUGUST 21, 2022 • MLB.COM
Tyler Glasnow - Throws first live BP session Glasnow (elbow) threw 20 pitches in a live batting practice session Saturday at the Rays' complex in Port Charlotte, Fla., Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Impact Manager Kevin Cash noted that Glasnow felt good while facing hitters for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery just over a year ago. The right-hander will likely repeat the activity at least one or two more times before the Rays map out a rehab assignment for Glasnow, who will likely be deployed out of the bullpen if he makes his way back from the 60-day injured list this season.
AUGUST 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Ryan Yarbrough - Fans five in no-decision Yarbrough allowed two unearned runs on three hits, a walk and a hit batsman while striking out five in 4.1 innings in a 3-2 win Sunday against Kansas City. He did not factor into t...
Impact Yarbrough held the Royals scoreless through the first four innings, scattering two doubles and a hit batsman. After retiring the first batter in the fifth, a walk, an error and a single led to an unearned run and the end of his outing. Another unearned run later scored on a sacrifice fly. The lefty had been treading on thin ice for most of the season but has been much better of late, posting a 2.08 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 25:3 K:BB in 21.2 innings over his last five outings. His 28.7 percent strikeout rate in that span far exceeds his career rate of 19.4. His next appearance will likely be at the end of next week in Boston.
AUGUST 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Harold Ramirez's 3 hits lift Rays past Royals in series finale The win marks Tampa Bay’s seventh in its past 10 games. Ramirez has recorded hits in all five games since returning from the injured list.
AUGUST 21, 2022 • TAMPABAY.COM
Ramirez has 3 hits, drives in 2 as Rays beat Royals 3-2
Harold Ramirez had three hits and drove in two runs as the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Kansas City Royals 3-2AUGUST 21, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Curtis Mead - Back in action at Triple-A Mead (elbow) was reinstated from the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Durham and went 2-for-4 with a double and a walk Saturday.
Impact One of the best pure hitters in the minors, Mead missed four weeks with a right elbow strain. It's encouraging that he was able to make it back before the end of the season, seemingly putting any thoughts of a potential surgery behind him. Mead is hitting .296/.390/.537 with a 17.6 percent strikeout rate and an 11.0 percent walk rate as a 21-year-old at Double-A and Triple-A.
AUGUST 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Rays' Franco removed from rehab assignment following setback
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco has had a setback and was removed from his rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham due to ongoing hand sorenessAUGUST 21, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Taylor Walls - Idle Sunday Walls is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Royals, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Impact Yu Chang will draw the start at shortstop while Walls sits in the series finale. Walls had previously started in each of the Rays' last 11 games while slashing .242/.375/.424 with a home run, three doubles, six runs, four RBI, a stolen base, and perhaps most impressively, a 7:5 BB:K.
AUGUST 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Yandy Díaz - Resting Sunday Diaz is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Royals, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Impact Diaz isn't known to be nursing an injury, but he'll find himself on the bench for the second time in three days nonetheless. Isaac Paredes will fill in at the hot corner in place of Diaz, who is slashing .218/.328/.418 with two home runs, five doubles, 12 RBI, eight runs and an 9:8 BB:K over 15 games in August.
AUGUST 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Francisco Mejía - Gets maintenance day Mejia is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Royals, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Impact Christian Bethancourt will step in behind the dish while Mejia is likely getting some routine maintenance for the afternoon game. Mejia caught both of the last two games, going 2-for-8 with a run scored.
AUGUST 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Ji-Man Choi - Sits versus right-hander Choi is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Royals, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Impact The lefty-hitting Choi will take a seat for the second consecutive game, this time against a righty (Zack Greinke) after he was excluded from the lineup for Saturday's 5-2 win over southpaw Kris Bubic. Harold Ramirez will pick up a start at first base in Choi's stead.
AUGUST 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Kansas City Royals vs Tampa Bay Rays Box Score - August 21, 2022 - The Athletic Get real-time MLB coverage and scores as the Kansas City Royals take on the Tampa Bay Rays at 5:40pm UTC on August 21, 2022. The Athletic brings you the latest stats, scores, and a...
AUGUST 21, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Wander Franco - Leaves rehab assignment, return TBD Franco was pulled off his rehab assignment at Triple-A Durham on Sunday after experiencing lingering soreness in his surgically-repaired right wrist while swinging the bat, Marc To...
Impact After starting the rehab assignment at Durham on Tuesday, Franco appeared in just one game before the Rays opted to have him rest for a few days with the hope that it provide sufficient time for the pain in his wrist to dissipate. However, the four consecutive days off apparently weren't enough to resolve the issue, so Franco will head back to the team's facility in St. Petersburg for further treatment. Since he hasn't played for the big club since July 9, Franco will likely need to head back to a minor-league affiliate for game action at some point before being activated from the 10-day injured list, but it's unclear when he might be able to do in light of the setback.
AUGUST 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Yu Chang - Occupying small-side platoon Chang went 1-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored Saturday against the Royals.
Impact Chang drew the start at second base with southpaw Kris Bubic on the mound, sending Brandon Lowe to the bench. Chang has started only two of the team's last six games -- both against lefties. So long as the Rays' infield remains relatively healthy, he figures to occupy a limited role. For the season, Chang has a .211/.276/.316 line across 127 plate appearances with three different teams.
AUGUST 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Pete Fairbanks - Picks up third save Fairbanks struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Saturday against the Royals.
Impact Fairbanks followed Brooks Raley and Jason Adam into the game and protected a three-run lead to earn his third save of the season. It was Fairbanks' first save since July 30, and he has now turned in 10 consecutive scoreless appearances. Overall, he has maintained a 2.31 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 16:1 K:BB across 11.2 innings on the season. Given that success, the Rays may opt to use him in the highest-leverage situations rather than reserve him for the ninth inning.
AUGUST 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Tampa Bay Rays and Kansas City Royals meet in game 4 of series Kansas City Royals (49-73, fourth in the AL Central) vs. Tampa Bay Rays (64-55, third in the AL East) St. Petersburg, Florida; Sunday, 1:40 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Royals: Zac...
AUGUST 21, 2022 • WINNIPEGFREEPRESS.COM
Tampa Bay Rays and Kansas City Royals meet in game 4 of series
The Tampa Bay Rays host the Kansas City Royals, leading the series 2-1AUGUST 21, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Manuel Margot - One hit in return Margot went 1-for-4 in Saturday's 5-2 victory over the Royals.
Impact Margot was struggling prior to his absence with a .637 OPS in 41 at-bats over 11 games from June 9 through June 20 leading up to his knee sprain. The outfielder is drastically better on the road with a .344 average and .942 OPS in 90 at-bats compared to a .260 average and .632 OPS in 96 at-bats at home. Furthermore, the 27-year-old is more productive against left-handed pitching with a .462 OBP in 45 at-bats compared to a .329 OBP in 141 at-bats against righties.
AUGUST 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Drew Rasmussen - Strikes out eight in win Rasmussen (8-4) earned the win Saturday, allowing two runs on two hits and one walk over 5.2 innings against the Royals. He struck out eight.
Impact Rasmussen allowed only one extra-base hit in the form of a double from shortstop Bobby Witt. The righty has been particularly effective lately with a 33:6 K:BB and a 0.83 WHIP over 38.2 innings over his last seven starts. In addition, the 27-year-old has been significantly better at home with a 1.99 ERA and 0.75 WHIP in 58.2 innings compared to a 3.86 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in 46.2 innings away from Tampa Bay.
AUGUST 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Rasmussen (8 K's) nearly untouchable again ST. PETERSBURG -- After facing one batter Saturday afternoon, Drew Rasmussen knew he wasn't going to be perfect. So instead, he just focused...
AUGUST 21, 2022 • MLB.COM
Yandy Díaz - Continues hot stretch Diaz went 2-for-3 with one double and one RBI in Saturday's win over the Royals.
Impact Diaz's double off lefty starter Kris Bubic drove in a run with one out in the fourth to increase the Rays' lead to four. The third baseman's bat has woken up recently as he boasts a .346 average and .654 slugging percentage in 26 at-bats over his last seven games. In addition, the 31-year-old hits better against lefties with a .900 OPS in 96 at-bats compared to a .754 OPS in 278 at-bats against right-handed pitching.
AUGUST 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Rasmussen takes no-hit bid into 6th, Rays beat Royals 5-2 Drew Rasmussen took a no-hit try into the sixth inning in his first start since making a serious perfect game bid, and the Tampa Bay Rays be...
AUGUST 21, 2022 • SANDIEGOUNIONTRIBUNE.COM
