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Rays' Richie Palacios: Awarded second straight start
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Palacios will start at second base and bat seventh in Sunday's game against the Cardinals.
Palacios was excluded from the lineup in Thursday's season opener against Cardinals southpaw Matthew Liberatore, but the left-handed-hitting utility player will stick in the starting nine for a second straight matchup with a right-handed pitcher. Until Gavin Lux (shoulder) returns from the injured list, Palacios could be primed to fill the strong side of a platoon at second base with Ben Williamson.
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Rays' Hunter Feduccia: Making second straight start
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Feduccia will start at catcher and bat ninth in Sunday's game against the Rays.
Feduccia was excluded from the Rays' Opening Day lineup while southpaw Matthew Liberatore started for the opposition, but the 28-year-old backstop will draw a second straight start Sunday while the Cardinals send another lefty to the hill. Though the Rays aren't likely to go with a strict platoon at catcher, Feduccia's left-handedness might be enough to give him the edge over the right-handed-hitting Nick Fortes in playing time versus right-handed pitching.
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Rays' Nick Fortes: On bench for second straight
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Fortes is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.
Fortes is on the bench for a second straight matchup, with both coming against right-handed starting pitchers. The left-handed-hitting Hunter Feduccia could be the Rays' preferred catcher versus righties, though he and Fortes are unlikely to be used in a strict platoon.
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Rays' Ben Williamson: Idle against righty
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Williamson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.
The right-handed-hitting Williamson was part of the Opening Day lineup while the Rays faced off against lefty Matthew Liberatore, but he's been held out of the starting nine for two straight games versus right-handers. Williamson looks like he may have to settle for the short side of a platoon at second base with Richie Palacios until the Rays get Gavin Lux (shoulder) back from the injured list.
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Rays' Jake Fraley: Scratched from Sunday's lineup
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Fraley was scratched from the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals due to right shoulder soreness, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports..
Fraley was set to start in right field and bat third but will now step out of the lineup to tend to an injury to his non-throwing shoulder, which he sustained while attempting to make a diving play in the outfield in Saturday's 6-5 extra-inning loss, per Ryan Bass of Rays.tv. Manager Kevin Cash said that he expects Fraley to be OK, but Jonny DeLuca will spell Fraley in right field for Sunday's contest.
Rays' Edwin Uceta: Progressing in throwing program
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Uceta (shoulder) threw live batting practice Friday, per MLB.com.
Another session is on tap for Uceta on Tuesday, and the hope is that a minor-league rehab assignment will be on the horizon shortly thereafter. The right-hander was in contention to begin the season as one of Tampa Bay's closer options, and it sounds like Uceta has a chance to return from right shoulder soreness and make his season debut by late April. It's worth noting that Griffin Jax has already blown two saves in as many appearances to start the year.
Jax (0-1) blew the save and took the loss Saturday as the Rays were downed by the Cardinals 6-5 in 10 innings, giving up two runs (one earned) on one hit and one walk in one-third of an inning.
After blowing the save in Tampa Bay's opener Thursday, Jax was called upon again to protect a one-run lead in the bottom of the 10th, but he instead served up a walk-off single to rookie JJ Wetherholt after a walk and a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners. Jax came into the season expected to lead the Rays' closing committee despite the fact that he didn't record a save in 2025, but those plans could be changing quickly. Left-hander Garrett Cleavinger should be the next man up with Edwin Uceta (shoulder) on the shelf, but Bryan Baker -- who struck out two in a perfect ninth Saturday to get the game to extra innings -- might also be in the mix if manager Kevin Cash wants a righty instead.
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Rays' Joe Boyle: Delivers quality start Saturday
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Boyle didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Cardinals, allowing two runs on three hits over six innings. He struck out four without walking a batter.
The right-hander wasn't even expected to be part of the Rays' rotation to begin the season, but when Ryan Pepiot (hip) landed on the IL, Boyle was pressed into duty and came through with a quality start on 75 pitches (52 strikes). The lack of free passes was especially encouraging after he walked eight in 9.2 spring innings and had a 5.68 BB/9 for his career coming into the year. It's not yet clear when Pepiot will be ready to return, but Boyle will get at least one more chance to prove he deserves to stick around in a road start next weekend against the Twins.
Williamson is not in Tampa Bay's starting lineup against St. Louis on Saturday.
Williamson is coming off a strong performance against the Cardinals on Thursday, when he went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. He'll be on the bench to open Saturday's game while Richie Palacios starts at second base and bats eighth.
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Rays' Nick Fortes: Resting Saturday
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Fortes is not in the Rays' starting lineup against the Cardinals on Saturday.
Fortes got the start on Opening Day against St. Louis on Thursday, when he went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. He'll be on the bench for the beginning of Saturday's game, with Hunter Feduccia handling backstop duties and batting ninth while forming a battery with right-hander Joe Boyle.
Aranda went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a walk and an additional RBI in Thursday's 9-7 loss to the Cardinals.
The left-handed-hitting Aranda managed to take southpaw Matthew Liberatore yard for his first long ball of the season. The first baseman hit third in his season debut, which should help his fantasy upside while occupying a premium lineup spot. Aranda was a strong four-category producer when available for the Rays in 2025, batting .316 with 14 homers, 59 RBI and 56 runs scored over 370 regular-season at-bats (106 games).
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Rays' Jonny DeLuca: Drives in two in OD loss
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DeLuca went 2-for-4 with two RBI in Thursday's 9-7 loss to the Cardinals.
With left-hander Matthew Liberatore on the mound for St. Louis, DeLuca got the start in right field and batted sixth for Tampa Bay. He drove in a pair with a single in the sixth inning. DeLuca missed most of the 2025 season battling shoulder, hamstring and quadriceps injuries, requiring two stints of the 60-day injured list. Now healthy, DeLuca figures to see regular playing time against left-handed pitching to begin the season.
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Rays' Griffin Jax: Takes blown save in season debut
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Jax blew the save Thursday against the Cardinals, allowing one run on one hit in two-thirds of an inning.
The Rays had mounted a 7-1 lead in the sixth inning before St. Louis came roaring back in the second half of the frame, and Jax was unable to put out the fire. The right-hander entered the year as one of Tampa Bay's favorites for saves, with Edwin Uceta (shoulder) on the injured list, but Thursday's effort won't do him many favors. That said, Garrett Cleavinger gave up two runs in one-third of an inning, so this closer committee appears to be very much unsettled.
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Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Hurls five strong innings in opener
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Rasmussen didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Cardinals, allowing one run on four hits and no walks in five innings. He struck out two.
It was a strong season debut overall for the right-hander, who was able to throw 73 pitches. It's worth noting that Rasmussen tossed 83 pitches in his final start of spring training a week ago, so it might have been a bit of a surprise to see him get pulled when he did Thursday. The Rays were careful about his workload in 2025 -- Rasmussen reached the 90-pitch mark just twice in 31 starts last season -- so his pitch count will remain worth monitoring early on this year.
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