MARCH 20, 2022 • MLB.COM
TAMPA BAY RAYS 80-82 · 4TH IN AL EAST
80-82 · 4TH IN AL EAST
Walls preparing to step up at (fill in the blank) FORT MYERS, Fla. -- When the Rays traded Joey Wendle to the Marlins on Nov. 30, two competing thoughts raced through Taylor Walls ’ mind. Fi...
Mike Zunino - Rays use pitch-calling device Zunino and the Rays are trying out a new pitch-calling device, according to Adam Berry of MLB.com. The team raved about the system called PitchCom in an attempt to "improve the pac...
Impact On Saturday, Zunino and pitcher Phoenix Sanders used the system, with Brandon Lowe also involved in the communication. Although the pitch-calling device isn't necessarily fantasy-relevant, it's another piece of information to consider as the game of baseball evolves. If the pace of play increases with its usage, maybe it leads to changes with balls in play, fatigue, shifts or other unforeseen outcomes.
MARCH 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Rays 4, Braves 4
MARCH 19, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ryon Healy - Signs minors deal with Rays Healy signed a minor-league contract with the Rays on Saturday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
Impact Healy has shown power but not enough else through parts of five MLB seasons, as his .261/.298/.450 slash line adds up to a 101 wRC+, a number which isn't good enough for a regular at a corner infield position. He left for Korea in an attempt to resuscitate his career last season, but he couldn't even last the full year with the Hanwha Eagles, who cut him after he hit .257/.306/.394 with just seven homers in 67 games. It's possible the Rays work their magic and turn him into a platoon bat, but the more likely outcome is he fails to make the team.
MARCH 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Wander laughs at prank, parks 'really far' from boss' spot PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- First things first: Wander Franco did not back his white Range Rover into president of baseball operations Erik Ne...
MARCH 19, 2022 • MLB.COM
The feeling Rays' Shane McClanahan never wants to have again What stung most about faltering in the ALDS clincher was the failure to help the team.
MARCH 19, 2022 • TAMPABAY.COM
Red Sox 7, Rays 6
MARCH 19, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Notes: Yarbrough shows increased velocity PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- Left-hander Ryan Yarbrough isn’t about to start lighting up radar guns like some other pitchers in Rays camp, but hi...
MARCH 18, 2022 • MLB.COM
Yonny Chirinos - Placed on 60-day injured list Chirinos (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list Friday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.
Impact Chirinos would be recovered from Tommy John surgery by now under ordinary circumstances, as he underwent the procedure back in August of 2020. Unfortunately, he broke his elbow in September of 2021 and had to undergo a second surgery. It's unclear when he'll pitch again, but it won't be before early June.
MARCH 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Luke Raley - Traded to Tampa Bay Raley was acquired by the Rays from the Dodgers on Friday in exchange for minor-league pitcher Tanner Dodson, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Impact Raley made his big-league debut for the Dodgers last season and had a .538 OPS in 72 plate appearances, and he'll now joined the Rays after being traded for third time in his career. He'll compete for a depth role in the outfield given Tampa Bay has an established outfield group with Randy Arozarena, Kevin Kiermaier, Manuel Margot and Austin Meadows.
MARCH 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Jalen Beeks - Impressing in bullpen sessions Beeks (elbow) had his fastball clocked at 93-94 mph during a recent bullpen session, MLB.com reports.
Impact Beeks missed last season while recovering from having Tommy John surgery in September 2020. He's said be to be throwing well in early workouts, so it's possible he could contend for a bullpen spot to begin the season. However, it seems more likely the Rays would want him to get back to speed in the minors for awhile first.
MARCH 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Rays star Franco pranked after parking in wrong space Young Tampa Bay Rays star Wander Franco has a big new contract and a promising future.
MARCH 18, 2022 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM
Report: Phillies Inquired with Rays About Austin Meadows According to sources, the Philadelphia Phillies reportedly inquired with the Tampa Bay Rays regarding outfielder Austin Meadows.
MARCH 18, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
John Romano: Elbow fixed and anxiety conquered, Rays' Jalen Beeks is ready to pitch again PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — The journey rarely ends when you cross the finish line. Upon reaching the big leagues, the typical ballplayer is stil...
MARCH 18, 2022 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM
Kevin Kiermaier - Takes batting practice Kiermaier (neck/knee) took batting practice Thursday and is expected to make his debut in a spring game Tuesday, MLB.com reports.
Impact Kiermaier underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in November and has been bothered by a sore neck early in camp. Neither issue sounds like a concern for Opening Day, but it's worth monitoring his progress through spring training.
MARCH 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Two surgeries later, one-time top pick Brendan McKay is healthy again PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — At this point two years ago, Brendan McKay was a sensation. A two-way player who was the No. 2 prospect in the Rays f...
MARCH 17, 2022 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM
ROY Arozarena prioritizing Rays' return to playoffs PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- How often does a player win the Rookie of the Year Award and return to Spring Training with less hype than the year...
MARCH 17, 2022 • MLB.COM
Brendan McKay - In camp and fully healthy McKay (shoulder/illness) arrived at camp Thursday and is considered fully healthy, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.
Impact McKay's arrival at camp was delayed due to COVID-19 protocols, and his status was further up in the air thanks to his November thoracic outlet surgery. He reportedly threw multiple bullpens prior to camp, however, so recovery from that procedure seems to be going well. A healthy season could allow the 2017 fourth-overall pick to finally showcase his potential, but it's difficult to count on good health for a player who's thrown a total of just 12.2 innings over the last two years while battling shoulder and elbow issues.
MARCH 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Jason Adam - Signs one-year deal with Rays Adam joined the Rays on a one-year, $900,000 deal Thursday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.
Impact The 30-year-old righty was non-tendered by the Cubs after posting a 5.91 ERA in a small sample of 10.2 innings last season, but the Rays evidently saw enough to offer him a major-league deal. His appeal is likely related to his ability to miss bats, as he owns a 37.0 percent strikeout rate in 24.1 innings across the last two seasons, which should theoretically be high enough to offset his 13.0 percent walk rate.
MARCH 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Tyler Glasnow - Returns to 60-day injured list Glasnow (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list Thursday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.
Impact The move was an inevitable one, as Glasnow is still recovering from Tommy John surgery in early August. He has a chance to return in 2022, but that won't occur until very late in the season if it happens at all. His 40-man roster spot will be taken by new signing Jason Adam.
MARCH 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Scary injury behind him, Cody Reed is happy to be back with Rays PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — In his last big league appearance, Cody Reed had little control and no answers.
MARCH 17, 2022 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM
Patiño aims to harness 'electric stuff' in 2nd season with Rays PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- The way Luis Patiño put it, this might have been the hardest he’s worked in the offseason. He changed his routine to...
MARCH 16, 2022 • MLB.COM
Ryan Thompson - Throws bullpen Wednesday Thompson (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Wednesday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.
Impact Thompson missed the second half of the 2021 campaign due to a shoulder injury that required thoracic outlet surgery at the end of September. Manager Kevin Cash called the right-hander's bullpen "very encouraging," but the team hasn't yet revealed whether Thompson will be ready for Opening Day in 2022.
MARCH 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Kluber looks ready for season, sharp at Rays camp PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – The Rays are easing their pitchers into this abbreviated Spring Training, giving them a full nine days to ramp up the...
MARCH 15, 2022 • MLB.COM
Cody Reed - Returns to Rays on minors deal Reed signed with the Rays as a non-roster invitee Tuesday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.
Impact Reed pitched for the Rays last season but was limited to 9.2 innings due to thoracic outlet surgery. He recorded a 3.72 ERA in those frames, but his 7:6 K:BB wasn't particularly convincing.
MARCH 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
