Tampa Bay Rays vs. Baltimore Orioles - News - March 30, 2022 | FOX Sports

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・March 30, 2022 March 30 Mar 30

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Ed Smith Stadium, Sarasota, FL

Rougned Odor - Likely starter at keystoneOdor has gone 1-for-14 across five Grapefruit League games.

ImpactOdor signed with the Orioles in November, joining a crowded infield of prospects and veterans seeking an everyday role. Despite the poor hitting in spring, Odor is expected to open the season as the starting second baseman. He hit a lackluster .202/.286/.379 with 15 home runs, 39 RBI and 42 runs scored in 102 games with the Yankees last season. There's more opportunity to play in Baltimore with Ramon Urias likely to handle third base while Jorge Mateo is in line to be the starting shortstop. Still, if Odor can't get the bat going, the versatility of the Orioles' infield could eventually see him shuffled to a reserve or platoon role.

MARCH 31, 2022•ROTOWIRE

Mike Zunino - Shoulder acts upRays manager Kevin Cash said Thursday that Zunino is dealing with a "cranky shoulder," but the team is hopeful it won't affect the catcher's availability for Opening Day, Marc Topk...

ImpactZunino likely picked up the injury at some point during his most recent Grapefruit League appearance against the Twins on Tuesday, when he went 0-for-2 with a walk. Cash said he expects Zunino to pick up some at-bats by Saturday, though it's unclear if the 31-year-old will take his swings in a spring game or live batting practice. At this stage, the shoulder issue doesn't look to be anything that will force Zunino to go on the injured list, but those invested in the backstop will still want to keep an eye on his status.

MARCH 31, 2022•ROTOWIRE

Joe Hudson - Sent out of big-league campThe Rays reassigned Hudson to minor-league camp Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

ImpactEven with MLB teams getting 28 active roster spots until May 1 due to the delayed start to spring training, the Rays weren't inclined to keep Hudson around as their No. 3 catcher behind Mike Zunino and Francisco Mejia. Hudson is expected to begin the campaign at Triple-A Durham and will likely serve as organizational catching depth for the entire season.

MARCH 31, 2022•ROTOWIRE

Cedric Mullins - Homers in Wednesday's winMullins went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 7-6 win over the Rays.

ImpactThe homer was just the second hit of the spring for Mullins, who has struggled a bit. There's little reason to be worried about the outfielder's production -- he's coming off of a 30-30 season that saw him add a .291/.360/.518 slash line while playing in 159 contests. His .322 BABIP was reasonable last year, and his 18.5 percent strikeout rate, coupled with an 8.9 percent walk rate, bode well for his sustainability in 2022. Mullins is expected to be the Orioles' everyday center fielder and leadoff hitter.

MARCH 31, 2022•ROTOWIRE

Bruce Zimmermann - Strengthens case for rotationZimmermann allowed one unearned run on one hit and struck out two over three innings in Wednesday's 7-6 win over the Rays. He posted zero walks.

ImpactZimmermann has logged five innings across two spring starts, with Wednesday's being the far better of the two after his first one was delayed by a stomach bug. Manager Brandon Hyde designated John Means, Jordan Lyles and Tyler Wells as part of the Orioles' rotation to begin the 2022 campaign, leaving Zimmermann and a handful of other pitchers to compete for two spots. The 27-year-old southpaw posted a 5.04 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 56:22 K:BB across 64.1 innings in 14 appearances (13 starts) last season. At least initially, he may need to work with a piggyback reliever until he can get more fully stretched out after a condensed spring training.

MARCH 31, 2022•ROTOWIRE

Josh Lowe - Optioned to Triple-ALowe was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

ImpactLowe was competing for a depth role in Tampa Bay's outfield this spring, but he'll report to the minors to begin the year after he hit .190 with two RBI, a stolen base and six strikeouts in eight Grapefruit League games this spring. However, he'll likely be in consideration for a major-league roster spot at some point in 2022 as long as he performs well in Durham.

MARCH 31, 2022•ROTOWIRE

Pete Fairbanks - Receives injectionFairbanks will receive a PRP injection to address his torn lat muscle, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

ImpactFairbanks has been shut down from throwing for six weeks and isn't expected to return to the active roster until July. The Rays will likely continue to plan their bullpen around high-leverage situations rather than traditional roles, but Fairbanks' absence leaves Andrew Kittredge looking more alone than expected as a top-tier option for the late innings.

MARCH 31, 2022•ROTOWIRE