TAYLOR WALLS NEWS

Rays closer Pete Fairbanks becomes free agent when option declined. Rays keep Brandon Lowe

The Tampa Bay Rays declined an $11 million option on Pete Fairbanks, allowing their closer to become a free agent, while exercising an $11.5 million option on Brandon Lowe

NOVEMBER 6 • Associated Press

Option exercised, another one added The Rays exercised Walls' (sports hernia) $2.45 million option for 2026 and added a $3.1 million club option for 2027 on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Impact The new deal covers Walls' remaining years of arbitration eligibility, if the 2027 option is picked up. Walls is a career .195/.286/.298 hitter over parts of five major-league seasons but is regarded as a plus defender. He could compete for the starting shortstop job next season with Carson Williams but could ultimately settle into a utility infielder role. Walls is recovering from sports hernia surgery but is expected to be ready for spring training.

NOVEMBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

Gold Glove at shortstop is finally within reach for Rays' Taylor Walls The defensive wizard, who has not always gotten enough innings at the position to be eligible, is named a finalist.

OCTOBER 15 • TAMPABAY.COM

Rays look to end skid in game against the Blue Jays

The Tampa Bay Rays look to stop their three-game skid with a win over the Toronto Blue Jays

SEPTEMBER 28 • Associated Press

Blue Jays bring 1-0 series lead over Rays into game 2

The Toronto Blue Jays host the Tampa Bay Rays, leading the series 1-0

SEPTEMBER 27 • Associated Press

Blue Jays begin 3-game series with the Rays

The Toronto Blue Jays host the Tampa Bay Rays to start a three-game series

SEPTEMBER 26 • Associated Press

Orioles and Rays play, winner secures 3-game series

Both the Baltimore Orioles and the Tampa Bay Rays are looking for a series win with a victory on Thursday

SEPTEMBER 25 • Associated Press

Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays meet in game 2 of series

The Baltimore Orioles lead 1-0 in a three-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays

SEPTEMBER 24 • Associated Press

Orioles host the Rays in first of 3-game series

The Baltimore Orioles host the Tampa Bay Rays to start a three-game series

SEPTEMBER 23 • Associated Press

Red Sox aim to sweep series against the Rays

The Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays play in the final game of a three-game series

SEPTEMBER 21 • Associated Press

Red Sox play the Rays after Rafaela's 4-hit game

The Boston Red Sox play the Tampa Bay Rays after Ceddanne Rafaela had four hits against the Rays on Friday

SEPTEMBER 20 • Associated Press

Red Sox visit the Rays to begin 3-game series

The Tampa Bay Rays start a three-game series at home against the Boston Red Sox on Friday

SEPTEMBER 19 • Associated Press

Blue Jays face the Rays with 2-1 series lead

The Toronto Blue Jays lead 2-1 in a four-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays

SEPTEMBER 18 • Associated Press

Shifts to 60-day IL The Rays transferred Walls (sports hernia) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Impact Manager Kevin Cash had already announced earlier this month that Walls would be shut down for the season after requiring sports hernia surgery, so the infielder's move to the 60-day IL was merely a formality. The transaction opens up a spot on the 40-man roster for right-hander Cole Wilcox, who was called up from Triple-A Durham.

SEPTEMBER 17 • ROTOWIRE

Blue Jays bring win streak into game against the Rays

The Toronto Blue Jays aim to keep a six-game win streak intact when they play the Tampa Bay Rays

SEPTEMBER 17 • Associated Press

Blue Jays take 5-game win streak into game against the Rays

The Toronto Blue Jays are looking to build upon a five-game win streak with a victory against the Tampa Bay Rays

SEPTEMBER 16 • Associated Press

Blue Jays try to continue win streak, play the Rays

The Toronto Blue Jays will try to extend a four-game win streak with a victory over the Tampa Bay Rays

SEPTEMBER 15 • Associated Press

Cubs and Rays meet with series tied 1-1

The Chicago Cubs and Tampa Bay Rays play on Sunday with the winner claiming the three-game series

SEPTEMBER 14 • Associated Press

Rays aim to end 3-game slide, play the Cubs

The Tampa Bay Rays are looking to break their three-game skid with a victory over the Chicago Cubs

SEPTEMBER 13 • Associated Press

Simpson leads Rays against the Cubs after 4-hit game

The Tampa Bay Rays play the Chicago Cubs after Chandler Simpson had four hits against the White Sox on Thursday

SEPTEMBER 12 • Associated Press

White Sox and Rays meet in series rubber match

The Chicago White Sox and Tampa Bay Rays meet on Thursday with the winner claiming the three-game series

SEPTEMBER 11 • Associated Press

Guardians meet the Rays with 2-1 series lead

The Cleveland Guardians take a 2-1 advantage into the next game of the series against the Tampa Bay Rays

SEPTEMBER 7 • Associated Press

Tampa Bay Rays host the Cleveland Guardians Saturday

The Tampa Bay Rays host the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday

SEPTEMBER 6 • Associated Press

Rays try to keep home win streak alive, host the Guardians

The Tampa Bay Rays host the Cleveland Guardians looking to continue a six-game home winning streak

SEPTEMBER 5 • Associated Press

Season over after surgery Rays manager Kevin Cash announced Thursday that Walls will miss the rest of the season after undergoing a sports hernia surgical procedure, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun...

Impact Walls had been out since Aug. 9 with a left groin strain and saw a specialist Wednesday after still feeling discomfort, which ultimately led to him getting the surgery. With his season now done, the 29-year-old finished his fifth year in the majors with a career high .220 batting average across 317 plate appearances.

SEPTEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE