SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 • TAMPABAY.COM
TAYLOR WALLS #6 - SHORTSTOP - TAMPA BAY RAYS
1 HR •
14 RBI •
.183 AVG
1 HR
14 RBI
.183 AVG
Rays call up slick-fielding infielder Taylor Walls Walls will provide depth and extraordinary defense; reliever David Robertson also was added.
Called up by Tampa Bay Walls was recalled from Triple-A Durham on Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Impact Walls got off to a slow start after the All-Star break and went 1-for-15 with a double, an RBI and two walks across six games. However, he fared slightly better since returning to the minors in late July, as he slashed .224/.355/.469 with six homers, 26 runs, 15 RBI and six stolen bases across 29 games. Walls will slot into a backup role at shortstop behind Wander Franco.
SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Meadows hits 2 homers, Rays win 11th in row over Indians
Austin Meadows hit a pair of two-run homers, Ji-Man Choi had three RBIs and the Tampa Bay Rays beat Cleveland 8-2 on Saturday night, extending their winning streak over the Indians...JULY 25, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Needing bullpen arm, Rays option Walls With their bullpen taxed and in need of another arm, the Rays optioned infielder Taylor Walls to Triple-A Durham and recalled right-hander S...
JULY 24, 2021 • MLB.COM
Optioned to minors The Rays optioned Walls to Triple-A Durham on Saturday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.
Impact The rookie has contributed little offensively of late, going 1-for-15 with a pair of walks since the All-Star break. With a bullpen game Saturday, Tampa Bay needed additional pitching depth, getting it by recalling Sean Poppen in a corresponding move. It's unclear whether Walls will be recalled following Saturday's contest, or if he'll remain in Durham for the time being to get more consistent playing time and continue developing.
JULY 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Patino expected to start for the Rays against Indians
The Rays will start Luis Patino on Thursday and the Indians are expected to counter with Cal QuantrillJULY 22, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sits for second time in four games Walls is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Orioles, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Impact The promotions of prospects Wander Franco and Vidal Brujan have most negatively affected Joey Wendle and Walls, the latter of whom will sit for the second time in four games. Walls' excellent glove at shortstop should continue to lock him into at least a part-time job, but he'll need to show improvement at the dish in order to see his role grow. Over his last five starts, Walls has gone 1-for-15 with five strikeouts, dropping his batting average to .216.
JULY 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Takes seat Sunday Walls is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against Atlanta, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Impact With six starts in the Rays' last seven games, Walls looks to have an edge on the top job at shortstop, but Tampa Bay's ample depth in the infield means that the rookie will likely sit at least once a week. Wander Franco will fill in at shortstop Sunday in place of Walls, who has opened his big-league career with a .231/.333/.356 slash line, one home run and three stolen bases through his first 121 plate appearances.
JULY 18, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Notes: Walls' cheering section; fears allayed ATLANTA -- After fielding ground balls at shortstop and taking batting practice Friday afternoon, Taylor Walls made his way down to the left...
JULY 17, 2021 • MLB.COM
Bangs out two doubles Friday Walls went 2-for-4 with two doubles, a run scored and two RBI in Friday's 7-1 win over the Blue Jays.
Impact The rookie shortstop ripped two-baggers against Alek Manoah in the fourth inning and Jacob Barnes in the seventh, with the latter driving in the final runs of the night for the Rays. Walls has started four of the last five games despite the presence of Wander Franco, going 5-for-14 with three doubles and five RBI, and his glove could ensure him steady playing time in the second half even if he never emerges as a consistent threat at the plate.
JULY 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Yarbrough scheduled to start for Tampa Bay against Toronto
The Blue Jays will start Ross Stripling on Saturday while the Rays are expected to counter with Ryan YarbroughJULY 10, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Rays bullpen dominates again in 7-1 win over Blue Jays
Three Tampa Bay relievers combined on five more scoreless innings, Ji-Man Choi drove in three runs and the Rays won their fifth consecutive game, 7-1 over the Toronto Blue JaysJULY 10, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
5 Rays pitchers no-hit Indians for doubleheader sweep
Five Tampa Bay pitchers combined for seven hitless innings, and the Rays beat the Indians 4-0 for a doubleheader sweepJULY 7, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Meadows gets 3 hits, Franco homers as Rays beat Blue Jays
Austin Meadows had three hits, including two RBI doubles, and the Tampa Bay Rays ended their 10-game road losing streak with a 5-1 victory over the Toronto Blue JaysJULY 4, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Springer homers again, Blue Jays hand Rays 5th straight loss
George Springer homered for the second straight day, Santiago Espinal hit his first career home run and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Tampa Bay Rays 6-3JULY 3, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Rays Get Great News on Taylor Walls Injury Update The Tampa Bay Rays got great news with the latest Taylor Walls injury update.
JULY 3, 2021 • FANDUEL.COM
Reinstated from 10-day IL Walls (wrist) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Impact Walls had been dealing with right wrist tendinitis since June 24, but he'll be back in action after spending the minimum of 10 days on the injured list. While the 24-year-old doesn't have as clear of a path toward playing time after Wander Franco was called up last week, Franco is able to play at multiple positions, so Walls could still see his fair share of time at shortstop. Across 18 games in June prior to his injury, he slashed .232/.338/.357 with a home run, four doubles, five RBI, four runs and three stolen bases.
JULY 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Stripling expected to start for Toronto against Tampa Bay
The Blue Jays will roll out Ross Stripling to the mound Saturday and the Rays plan to give Shane McClanahan the startJULY 3, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ross scheduled to start as Washington hosts Tampa Bay
The Nationals will roll out Joe Ross to the mound Tuesday and the Rays plan to give Rich Hill the startJUNE 29, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Angels look to end 5-game skid against Rays
Los Angeles will try to break its five-game losing streak when the Angels take on Tampa BayJUNE 27, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Los Angeles takes 4-game skid into matchup with Tampa Bay
Los Angeles is looking to break its four-game losing streak with a win over Tampa BayJUNE 26, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Slumping Angels look to break 3-game losing streak against Rays
Los Angeles heads into the matchup against Tampa Bay in a rut, losers of three straightJUNE 25, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kiermaier ends combined no-hit bid, Rays top Red Sox 1-0
Kevin Kiermaier broke up a combined no-hit bid by the Boston Red Sox with a one-out double in the eighth inning and Manuel Margot scored on a wild pitch in the ninth to give the Ta...JUNE 25, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Notes: Walls to IL as precaution; Castillo's hat ST. PETERSBURG -- Rays shortstop Taylor Walls said he’s been playing through soreness in his right wrist for about two weeks, but after maki...
JUNE 24, 2021 • MLB.COM
Moves to IL The Rays placed Walls on the 10-day injured list Thursday with right wrist tendinitis, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.
Impact Walls was scratched prior to Wednesday's 8-2 win over the Red Sox with the wrist issue, which was believed to be only a minor concern before he surprisingly landed on the IL a day later. His move off the active roster at least temporarily clears up the logjam in the Rays infield that was created when top prospect Wander Franco was promoted to the big leagues earlier this week. While Walls is on the shelf, Franco should see most of the starts at shortstop, freeing up second base and third base for Brandon Lowe and Joey Wendle, respectively.
JUNE 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
