Tampa Bay Rays news

Rays Rout Phillies 12-1 to Close Out Historic 98-Win Season

Junior Caminero hit his 42nd home run and drove in his 101st RBI as Tampa Bay closed the regular season 98-63. Setup man Griffin Jax left after being struck in the back by a 104-mph line drive but described himself as fine afterward; no further update was available.

Shane McClanahan Ruled Out for ALDS With Forearm Tightness

Manager Kevin Cash said the two-time All-Star is unlikely to be ready for the Division Series but could return in relief in later rounds if healthy. Without him, the ALDS rotation projects as Rasmussen, Martinez, Peralta, Jax and Seymour.

ALDS Set for Oct. 3 at the Trop; Rays Hold Home-Field Edge Through the ALCS

As the AL's No. 1 seed, Tampa Bay opens the Division Series at home against the winner of the Yankees-Red Sox Wild Card Series and holds home-field advantage through the Championship Series.

Rays Announce Postseason Fan Rallies at the Trop and Midtown Tampa

The club will hold free 'Rep the Rays' events Sept. 29 at Tropicana Field and Oct. 1 at Midtown Tampa ahead of the franchise's 10th postseason appearance and first since 2023.

Rays close the book on a franchise-best, earliest-ever AL East clinch and enter October as the AL's top seed, though an injury scare to Griffin Jax and a lost Shane McClanahan complicate the pitching picture.

Rays blank Phillies 2-0 behind Peralta, Fortes homer

With the AL East already clinched, Tampa Bay closed out the week with a 2-0 shutout. Nick Fortes hit a solo home run off Cristopher Sánchez and Jonny DeLuca drove in Junior Caminero with a first-inning RBI single; Freddy Peralta was credited with the win.

Rays managing partner says new stadium groundbreaking could come this month

Managing Partner Patrick Zalupski said groundbreaking on the Rays' planned "Forever Home" ballpark, at Hillsborough College's Dale Mabry campus, could happen as early as this September, with an opening targeted for the 2029 season. The roughly $2.3 billion project includes $876 million in public funding from Hillsborough County and the City of Tampa, with Rays ownership covering $1.37 billion plus any construction overruns. Bond validation, funding confirmation and a community benefits agreement remain outstanding before construction begins. Hillsborough County and the City of Tampa have not separately commented.

Rays blank Phillies 2-0 behind Peralta, Fortes homer

Rays managing partner says new stadium groundbreaking could come this month

RiverDogs' Cooper Flemming named Carolina League MVP, Aidan Cremarosa Pitcher of the Year

Tampa Bay's Single-A Charleston affiliate saw INF Cooper Flemming (the org's No. 5 prospect) named Carolina League MVP after leading the league in RBIs, hits and doubles, while RHP Aidan Cremarosa was named Pitcher of the Year after throwing the RiverDogs' first no-hitter in more than two decades.

AL East champion, No. 1 seed heading into October.

Single-A Charleston closes the year with two individual league awards (Flemming, Cremarosa) despite a championship-series sweep.

Rays clinch AL East, the earliest division title in franchise history

Tampa Bay clinched its fifth AL East title with a doubleheader-game-two win over the Yankees, three days earlier than the franchise's previous record. Drew Rasmussen struck out 11 over 6â…” innings and Yandy Diaz drove in four as the Rays locked up the No. 1 AL seed and home-field advantage into the ALCS.

Rays drop finale to Yankees, will host New York in the Division Series

Tampa Bay lost 9-2 to the Yankees in the two teams' regular-season finale, with Mason Englert allowing eight runs in relief. The result sets up a Division Series rematch, with the Rays hosting as the AL's No. 1 seed.

Rays clinch the AL East, the earliest division title in franchise history.

Tampa Bay will host the Yankees in the Division Series after a 9-2 finale loss.

Rays clinch 5th AL East title - earliest division clincher in franchise history - with 6-1 win at Yankee Stadium

Tampa Bay locks up home-field advantage through the AL playoffs, its first division title since 2021, and becomes the first team in MLB to clinch a division this season. Drew Rasmussen carried a no-hit bid into the 7th (broken up by Heliot Ramos), finishing with 11 strikeouts over 6.2 innings. Yandy Diaz had two 2-run singles for his AL-leading 175th hit. The Rays open the ALDS Oct. 3 at Tropicana Field.

Rays reinstate INF Ben Williamson from IL, designate OF Jake Fraley for assignment

Williamson returned from a hamstring strain to reclaim middle-infield depth; Fraley, who lost his role to Victor Mesa Jr., can reject an outright assignment given his service time.

Griffin Jax fires 5 shutout innings in 5-1 win over Red Sox, sets up division-clinch chance

The win extends Tampa Bay's streak to two and sets up a potential fifth AL East title clinch during Tuesday's doubleheader at Yankee Stadium.

Double-A Montgomery closes 71-66, qualifies for Southern League playoffs

The Biscuits reached the postseason bracket as the Rays' full-season affiliates wound down their year.

Rays could clinch their fifth AL East title as soon as Tuesday's doubleheader in the Bronx.

Palacios' walk-off single beats Red Sox; magic number to clinch AL East down to 5

Richie Palacios' RBI single in the 9th scored Junior Caminero and gave Tampa Bay a 2-1 win over Boston, its seventh win in eight games. The Rays, who already clinched the first playoff berth in MLB this season, need five more wins or Yankees losses to clinch the division outright.

Junior Caminero's stretch run puts him in the AL MVP conversation

Caminero's walk-off homer that clinched Tampa Bay's playoff berth on Sept. 11 and his heroics since have made him part of the AL MVP discussion alongside Yordan Alvarez.

Rays lean on Durham depth as September roster mix takes shape

Catcher Kenny Piper has already debuted after the Rays needed catching depth, and Triple-A Durham arms Mason Englert, Hunter Bigge and Trevor Martin are among the stretch-run depth options under consideration.

Tampa Bay keeps winning down the stretch and is closing in on the AL East title after already clinching a playoff berth.

Rays' win streak snapped in 4-2 loss to Red Sox

Starter Ian Seymour allowed four runs, including two homers, over five innings -- a team-high 25th and 26th homers allowed on the season -- as Tampa Bay's streak ended despite drawing eight walks.

Rays tap Yankees-affiliated Legends Global to handle new ballpark's sales and construction oversight

Legends Global will handle naming rights, sponsorships and premium seating for the planned Tampa ballpark and serve as the owners' rep on construction, following the Tampa City Council's 4-3 approval of the stadium deal Aug. 27.

Rasmussen's escalating 2027 option and Caminero extension loom as Rays' top offseason decisions

Rasmussen's 2027 club option has escalated from an $8M base to roughly $17M via health bonuses. Junior Caminero, under club control through 2030, said he'd like an extension but 'this is not my decision'; baseball-ops president Erik Neander has taken a patient public stance.

Catching prospect Caden Bodine gets a weekend look with the Rays

Bodine was called up for a weekend stay with Tampa Bay after racing through the minor league system in 2026.

Tampa Bay's new ballpark moves from concept to construction as the on-field club, already division champions, plays out the string.

Rays complete sweep of Athletics with 10-1 rout

Drew Rasmussen and the Tampa Bay offense, including a two-RBI single from Chandler Simpson, finished off a three-game sweep at Tropicana Field.

Shane McClanahan placed on IL again with forearm tightness

McClanahan went on the 15-day IL retroactive to Sept. 4 after exiting a start early — his second IL stint of the season; he finishes with a 3.36 ERA and 106 strikeouts over 24 starts. RHP Alex Cook was recalled from Durham.

Durham Bulls clinch a third straight International League playoff berth

The Bulls lost 8-5 to Gwinnett but still clinched via the Wild Card after a rival's extra-inning loss eliminated it from contention; Durham will host Games 1-2 of its first-round series.

Rays' magic number sits at 9 to clinch the AL East ahead of a showdown series at Yankee Stadium

Tampa Bay could clinch its first outright division title as soon as Sept. 20; a four-game series at New York, including a Sept. 22 doubleheader, looms Sept. 22-24.

Tampa Bay swept Oakland while lowering its magic number to clinch the AL East to 9

Shane McClanahan's second IL stint of the year is a rotation-depth concern heading into October

Durham's third straight playoff berth continues a strong stretch for the system

Rays hold off Athletics 4-3, extend win streak as AL East race tightens

Tampa Bay scored all four runs in the first two innings and hung on for its fourth straight win, staying atop the AL East with a shrinking but real lead over New York as the club plays for seeding rather than qualification.

Rays place reliever Tyler Wells on IL with forearm tightness, activate Jake Fraley

Wells, a key setup piece since arriving from Baltimore at the deadline, was placed on the 15-day IL with forearm tightness; Tampa Bay reinstated Jake Fraley and reshuffled its bullpen mix for the stretch run.

Rays hold off Athletics 4-3, extend win streak as AL East race tightens

Rays place reliever Tyler Wells on IL with forearm tightness, activate Jake Fraley

Junior Caminero's walk-off homer lifts Rays past Athletics 2-1

Caminero hit a leadoff, opposite-field walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth Sept. 15. Tampa Bay, which has clinched a postseason berth, leads the Yankees by 3.5 games for the division and top seed.

Rays place Tyler Wells on IL as they reshuffle roster around Jake Fraley's return

RHP Tyler Wells went on the 15-day IL Sept. 13 (retroactive) with right forearm tightness; he told the Tampa Bay Times he is hopeful for a minimal stint and a playoff return. OF Jake Fraley was reinstated from the 60-day IL, and OF Jacob Melton was recalled and immediately placed on the 60-day IL, likely ending his season.

Tampa Bay's rotation and bullpen depth face a test as the club pushes for the division title and a bye.

Rays' pitching staff piles up injuries even after clinching a playoff berth

Tampa Bay has two starters on the 15-day IL with forearm tightness (Shane McClanahan since Sept. 4, Garrett Cleavinger since Sept. 5), both targeting possible late-September returns, while reliever Manuel Rodriguez threw a scoreless rehab inning for Triple-A Durham -- a reminder that the AL's first playoff-clinching club still has health questions before October.

Rays have clinched a playoff berth; AL East title still not yet clinched, 3.5 games ahead of the Yankees

Confirmed: Rays' Sept. 11 clinch was a wild-card berth, not the AL East division title

Tampa Bay became the first team to clinch a 2026 postseason spot on a Junior Caminero walk-off homer, but multiple outlets are explicit that it was a playoff-berth clinch -- the division race, which would come with a Wild Card Series bye, remains unclinched ahead of a decisive four-game series at Yankee Stadium Sept. 22-24.

Rays rout Astros 14-4 to close out the series

Tampa Bay extended its momentum two days after clinching a postseason berth.

Taylor Walls on the IL with a hip flexor strain

Walls felt a pop in his hip fielding a grounder in Texas; Nick Madrigal was selected from Durham as the Rays adjust their infield alignment during the playoff push.

Postseason berth locked up; division title still to be settled against the Yankees

Rays' new Tampa ballpark cleared for a September groundbreaking after funding approval

Following Hillsborough County Commission and City of Tampa approval of public funding toward the roughly $2.3 billion project, Rays managing partner Patrick Zalupski said the team intends to break ground this month on a new stadium targeted for a 2029 opening. Construction has not been independently confirmed as physically underway as of this report; this reflects ownership's stated intent following the funding approval, under new CEO Ken Babby.

Junior Caminero's walk-off sends Rays to first MLB playoff clinch of 2026

Rays injury notes: Cleavinger, McClanahan playing catch; Williamson resumes hitting

Rays name Caden Bodine and Theo Gillen co-players of the year

Tampa officials delay Rays-related stadium redevelopment area vote two months

Rays place Taylor Walls on IL with hip flexor strain, select Nick Madrigal's contract

Walls, who leads MLB in fielding runs above average at shortstop, went on the 10-day IL retroactive to Sept. 6; Tampa Bay selected Nick Madrigal's contract from Triple-A Durham to fill the roster spot, and DFA'd RHP Hunter Bigge. The Rays also placed LHP Shane McClanahan and RHP Manuel Rodríguez back on the 15-day IL Sept. 4. Separately, 1B Xavier Isaac — who underwent brain surgery in July 2025 and disclosed it publicly himself, since returned to form — was promoted to Triple-A Durham alongside catching prospect Caden Bodine.

Leads the AL East, magic number 13, with 15 games to play.

Rays place Taylor Walls on IL with hip flexor strain, select Nick Madrigal's contract

Walls, who leads MLB with 21 fielding runs above average at shortstop, went on the 10-day IL retroactive to 9/6. Tampa Bay selected the contract of Nick Madrigal, hitting .318 at Triple-A Durham since being claimed off waivers in June, to fill the roster spot.

Beat Atlanta 7-2 Tuesday; lead the AL East by 4.0 games over the Yankees with 15 games to play.

Plays at Atlanta again today (9/10).

Rays rout Braves 7-1 on four homers, Peralta stellar over six innings

Freddy Peralta allowed one run on five hits over six innings and Yandy Diaz and Richie Palacios each homered as Tampa Bay padded its AL East lead over the Yankees to four games.

Rays select Nick Madrigal from Durham, place Taylor Walls on IL

Madrigal, hitting .318/.410/.408 with Durham since a June 28 signing, was added as Taylor Walls went on the 10-day IL (hip flexor strain, retro to Sept. 6); Hunter Bigge was designated for assignment.

Owner reportedly eyeing a top-10-to-15 MLB payroll once the new stadium opens

Durham Bulls sit in the International League basement despite a strong Rays farm pedigree

No fresh Rays news this cycle — no Sept. 7 game played; club sits atop AL East.

Rangers rally from two four-run deficits to beat Rays 8-6, series ends split

Jake Burger hit two homers and Ezequiel Duran had three hits as Texas erased two big deficits; Tampa Bay had snapped a 10-game losing streak at Globe Life Field two days earlier.

Rays lose two more relievers to forearm tightness within a day of each other

Shane McClanahan and Garrett Cleavinger both went on the 15-day IL with left forearm tightness; Ty Johnson was recalled from Durham for his MLB debut in the corresponding move.

Kenny Piper carving out role as Rays' defense-first "catching closer"

Beat reporting highlighted catcher Kenny Piper's value in a defense-first, late-game role as Tampa Bay manages its stretch-run bullpen usage.

Aranda's extra-inning three-run homer lifts Rays past Rangers 6-3

Jonathan Aranda hit a go-ahead, 3-run 10th-inning homer after an intentional walk to Yandy Díaz; Junior Caminero (AL-leading 38th HR) and Richie Palacios also went deep. Drew Rasmussen worked 7 strong innings before the bullpen let a 2-run lead slip in the 8th.

Rays place Cleavinger on IL, select Ty Johnson, DFA Dunn

Tampa Bay placed LHP Garrett Cleavinger on the 15-day IL with left forearm tightness, selected RHP Ty Johnson's contract from Durham, and designated INF Oliver Dunn for assignment to clear a 40-man spot.

Rays (85-57) lead the AL East by 4.0 games over the Yankees with three-plus weeks left.

Rays hold on for 7-6 road win over Rangers

Tampa Bay improved to 84-57, holding its AL East lead, despite absorbing two significant pitching injuries the same day.

Shane McClanahan back on IL with left forearm tightness, his second stint this season

McClanahan felt tightness during a 5-inning outing against Texas and was placed on the 15-day injured list; he previously missed six weeks with mid-back tightness. RHP Manuel Rodríguez also went on the 15-day IL (low back strain) and RHP Alex Cook was recalled from Durham in a corresponding move.

Bowling Green Hot Rods walk off Greenville 3-2 in 10 innings

Jhon Diaz delivered a walk-off single in the bottom of the 10th for Tampa Bay's High-A affiliate.

AL East lead holds despite pitching injuries

McClanahan's second IL stint of the season

Rays shut out by Rangers, losing streak reaches two

Tampa Bay was blanked 6-0 in Texas, its second straight loss, even as the club holds the AL East lead.

Victor Mesa Jr. and Griffin Jax both activated from IL the same day

Tampa Bay got its outfielder back from a hamstring strain and its late-inning reliever back from about a month out with elbow discomfort, a quiet bullpen and lineup boost as the Rays try to hold the division.

AL East lead intact despite a two-game skid

Bullpen and lineup reinforcements ahead of the stretch run

Griffin Jax roughed up in return from IL as last-place Mets take series

Jax allowed six runs in 2⅔ innings in his first start back from a month-long elbow issue, and the Rays fell 10-4 to Miami's NL East rival Mets; Tampa Bay plans to stay with a six-man rotation through at least next Tuesday's game in Atlanta.

Triple-A Durham beat Memphis 16-1 behind a Carson Williams grand slam.

The Rays' $2.3B Tampa ballpark deal continues moving through prior county/city approvals; no new on-the-record development this cycle beyond the already-known financing status.

Peralta's 7-strikeout outing, Diaz homer power Rays past Mets 6-2

Freddy Peralta worked 6 innings of 3-hit ball, and Yandy Diaz hit a solo homer one at-bat after being robbed on an almost-identical fly ball. A bases-loaded jam in the 7th was limited to one run by reliever Tyler Wells, preserving the Rays' AL East lead.

Rays' September call-up math: timing preserves rookie eligibility for 2027

RHP Alex Cook's call-up date was set to land just after the August 13 cutoff specifically to preserve his rookie eligibility next year. Tampa Bay is also weighing bullpen depth arms Ty Johnson and Mason Englert from Triple-A Durham for the stretch run.

Holds the AL East lead entering September.

Rays fall 3-2 to Mets at Tropicana Field

Tampa Bay's rally fell a run short in a 3-2 loss to New York; the AL East-leading Rays got RBI singles from Liam Hicks and Chandler Simpson in the eighth but couldn't complete the comeback.

Rays injury list grows heavier on hamstrings and elbows entering September

Tampa Bay carries five players on 10/15-day IL (Williamson, Mesa Jr., Sulser, Jax) plus five more on the 60-day IL as rosters expand for the stretch run.

Tampa and Hillsborough County approve roughly $876M in public funding for new Rays ballpark

Tampa City Council voted 4-3 to contribute $80M and Hillsborough County separately approved $796M toward a $2.3B ballpark on Dale Mabry Highway, following the collapse of an earlier St. Petersburg stadium deal. New ownership, led by Patrick Zalupski, completed its purchase of the club in September 2025.

Rays fall 3-2 to Mets at Tropicana Field

Rays injury list grows heavier on hamstrings and elbows entering September

Tampa and Hillsborough County approve roughly $876M in public funding for new Rays ballpark

Rays enter Mets series managing a crowded injury list — McClanahan, Wilson, Uceta, Heasley all sidelined

Even while running away with the AL East, Tampa Bay is absorbing a stack of pitching injuries; how manager Kevin Cash manages the staff through this stretch matters for October readiness.

Kevin Cash drawing Manager of the Year buzz as Rays run away with AL East

Cash's handling of a rotation battered by injuries (McClanahan, Griffin Jax and others) while still building one of the sport's largest division leads is becoming a season-long storyline in Tampa Bay.

Tampa Bay Rays (82-54, AL East rank 1): Rays enter Mets series managing a crowded injury list — McClanahan, Wilson, Uceta, Heasley all sidelined

Rays rout Padres 9-4 on five-run fourth inning

Yandy Díaz and Cedric Mullins each homered and drove in two runs; Shane McClanahan earned his first win since July 24 at Tropicana Field.

Hillsborough County Commission approves $796M for Rays' new Tampa ballpark, 5-2

The county commission voted 5-2 on Friday, Aug. 28 (yes: Ken Hagan, Harry Cohen, Gwen Myers, Chris Boles, Christine Miller; no: Joshua Wostal, Donna Cepeda) to approve its $796M share of the roughly $2.3B mixed-use district including a new 31,000-seat stadium, a day after the Tampa City Council approved its $80M share 4-3. Rays managing partner Patrick Zalupski called it 'an extraordinary milestone,' and CEO Ken Babby said the vote 'secures the long-term future of Major League Baseball' in Tampa Bay. Target opening is 2029, with a 35-year lease and non-relocation commitment.

Tampa Bay is running away with the AL East and, off the field, has now cleared its last major governmental hurdle for a new ballpark opening in 2029.

Freddy Peralta tosses 6 scoreless innings as Rays blank Tigers 3-0

Tampa Bay held the division lead behind its second shutout start of the season from Peralta, ending a two-week series-win drought.

Tampa City Council approves $2.3B Rays stadium deal 4-3; Hillsborough County holds final vote

The council approved the city's $80M share of a 35-year-lease stadium and entertainment district on Hillsborough College's campus site. The deal is not final -- Hillsborough County commissioners hold the deciding vote Aug. 28. No on-record response from the Rays organization was found this cycle.

Durham falls 7-6 to Norfolk despite Madrigal, Mesa Jr. homers

Nick Madrigal and Victor Mesa Jr. went deep for the Bulls; Double-A Montgomery separately snapped a 3-game skid with a 10-0 shutout of Pensacola.

AL East leaders navigating a high-stakes stadium financing vote

Tigers snap six-game skid, beat Rays 4-1 on Max Clark homer

Detroit's bullpen threw 4.2 scoreless innings behind Clark's go-ahead shot, ending Tampa Bay's momentum and evening the series.

Rays injury board: Fraley rehabbing after hernia surgery, McClanahan and Uceta still working back

Jake Fraley began a rehab assignment at Durham while Shane McClanahan and Cole Sulser target returns and Edwin Uceta's shoulder rehab has stalled, per the club's injury tracker.

Rays, Tampa and Hillsborough County reach funding deal for new $2.3B ballpark

The parties reportedly agreed on a financing structure -- roughly $1.37B from the Rays, $796M from the county and $80M from the city -- with council and commission votes still pending, keeping the club's 2029-opening timeline alive.

Tigers snap six-game skid, beat Rays 4-1 on Max Clark homer

Rays injury board: Fraley rehabbing after hernia surgery, McClanahan and Uceta still working back

Rays, Tampa and Hillsborough County reach funding deal for new $2.3B ballpark

Drew Rasmussen wins seventh straight start as Rays beat slumping Tigers 4-1

Rasmussen improved to 14-5, his streak trailing only Blake Snell's 2018 franchise record, as Detroit fell to a sixth straight loss.

Griffin Jax throws three rehab innings in Durham, no structural damage found

Jax, out since Aug. 9 with right elbow discomfort, threw 42 pitches over three innings in a clean outing that could put him back in Tampa Bay's bullpen soon.

Rays designate Chris Roycroft, activate Manuel Rodriguez from 60-day IL

Rodriguez, who posted a 2.12 ERA across 2024-25 before a flexor repair procedure, returns to a bullpen trying to hold the AL East lead down the stretch.

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Rays close out Orioles series 3-1, open at Detroit tonight

Tampa Bay (76-53, AL East leader) took the road finale before Monday's series opener at Detroit.

Rays reinstate RHP Manuel Rodriguez from 60-day IL, DFA Chris Roycroft

The move restores bullpen depth for the division leader down the stretch.

Rays, Tampa and Hillsborough County complete definitive agreement documents for new ballpark

The City of Tampa, Hillsborough County and Rays ownership finalized agreement documents for a new ballpark on the Hillsborough College Dale Mabry campus, with two City Council votes remaining before ownership's self-set end-of-August deadline; construction is targeted to start in September 2026 for a planned 2029 opening. This is a public-money stadium-financing matter with named-official, on-record reporting and no adversarial claim requiring a response.

RHP Edwin Uceta remains shut down after PRP injection for shoulder issue

Uceta received a PRP injection after a setback playing catch and remains shut down from throwing, removing another bullpen arm from the picture.

Rays close out Orioles series 3-1, open at Detroit tonight

Rays reinstate RHP Manuel Rodriguez from 60-day IL, DFA Chris Roycroft

Rays, Tampa and Hillsborough County complete definitive agreement documents for new ballpark

RHP Edwin Uceta remains shut down after PRP injection for shoulder issue

Tampa, Hillsborough County officials and Rays announce proposed framework deal to keep team in Tampa Bay

A concrete step in the stadium saga previously flagged as entangled with the 2027 Tampa mayoral race, directly bearing on whether the first-place Rays remain in the market long-term; it follows the Rays' recent selection of a construction manager for the proposed site. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor announced the framework Aug. 21, describing it as protecting taxpayers while encouraging development in the city. The announcement follows the Rays' Aug. 17 selection of AECOM Hunt as construction manager for the proposed stadium, targeting a 2029 opening. This is a new development beyond the previously logged mayoral-race entanglement (thread tb-stadium-mayoral-race-2026-08-13) — a deal framework has now actually been announced, not just discussed as a campaign issue.

Tampa, Hillsborough County officials and Rays announce proposed framework deal to keep team in Tampa Bay

Rays fall to Orioles 5-3 as Kevin Cash ejected arguing check-swing call

Freddy Peralta took the loss despite 7 innings of work; Cash's first ejection of the season added drama as Tampa Bay tries to hold off the Yankees for the division lead.

Manny Rodriguez activated to rejoin Rays bullpen; Tyler Wells faces former Orioles team

Deadline pickup Wells was honored on the pregame video board facing Baltimore, the club that traded him to Tampa Bay.

Tampa City Council formally schedules Rays stadium vote for Aug. 27

Council set a firm date for the long-running ballpark financing vote, though at least one Hillsborough commissioner who previously supported the deal has signaled a possible reversal.

Rays lead the AL East by 3.0 games over the Yankees.

Rays rally to beat Blue Jays 7-6 as Rasmussen wins sixth straight, Baker saves 25th in a row

Rays place Victor Mesa Jr. on IL with hamstring strain, recall catcher Kenny Piper in series of roster moves

Blue Jays' Okamoto breaks franchise rookie HR record in 10-5 win over AL-best Rays

Tampa Bay starter Nick Martinez had his shortest outing of the season as the division-leading Rays dropped the series opener to Toronto.

Shane McClanahan's return start coincided with a dramatic comeback over Baltimore

McClanahan's first outing since a mid-back tightness issue came the same night Tampa Bay rallied from a four-run deficit to avoid a sweep.

Durham reliever Ty Johnson dominant since bullpen move

Johnson has a 0.00 ERA in August since shifting to relief for Triple-A Durham and is drawing mention as a September call-up candidate.

AL East race tightening as Rays' home skid continues

Rays' bullpen collapses in loss to Orioles, lose third straight

Tampa Bay still leads the AL East, but a third consecutive loss right after an undefeated nine-game road trip is a stumble worth watching as the Rays try to hold off a crowded division down the stretch.

Rays' Shane McClanahan set to return from IL, start Monday vs. Orioles

Getting a top-of-rotation arm like McClanahan back for the finale against Baltimore bolsters Tampa Bay's pitching depth as the club tries to snap its current skid and hold its AL East lead.

Rays fall 4-3 in 10 innings to Orioles after franchise-best road trip

Tampa Bay's two-game skid follows a perfect 9-0 trip; the loss came in front of the club's second sellout of the season (28,055).

Rays recall Joe Boyle, option Chris Roycroft as bullpen churns

The moves follow a Friday bullpen game and Trevor Martin's waiver claim by the Angels.

Rays' 9-game winning streak snapped in ninth-inning heartbreaker vs Orioles

Tampa Bay's 9-game streak, which included a perfect three-series road trip, ended in a 6-5 loss to Baltimore despite a furious ninth-inning rally.

Rays' midseason Top 30 prospect re-rank shows deep system survived Deadline selloff

Tampa Bay's new farm rankings are led by SS Grady Emerson; the Rays placed five players in the overall Top 100 despite trading eight Top-30 prospects at the deadline for MLB help.

Rays' 9-game winning streak snapped in ninth-inning heartbreaker vs Orioles

Rays' midseason Top 30 prospect re-rank shows deep system survived Deadline selloff

Rays get encouraging non-ligament read on Griffin Jax's elbow

Manager Kevin Cash says testing points to a non-ligament issue for closer-caliber reliever Griffin Jax (15-day IL, retroactive to Aug 6); a specialist consult with Dr. Keith Meister points to a possible Aug 21 activation.

Rays sign INF Jorge Mateo after Braves release, reshuffle roster

Tampa Bay signed veteran infielder Jorge Mateo (released by Atlanta Aug 9) to cover for injured Ben Williamson, optioning Michael Grove and top prospect Carson Williams to Durham and recalling RHP Jesse Scholtens.

Rays' stadium push becomes flashpoint in 2027 Tampa mayoral race

A proposed roughly $180M city contribution toward Tampa Bay's new ballpark has become a campaign issue for city council members Bill Carlson and Lynn Hurtak, both running for mayor in 2027; a funding vote was pulled from the council's Aug 20 agenda.

Rays' road trip now framed as first perfect 9-0 stretch in franchise history

Tampa Bay swept the Rockies, Mariners and Athletics in succession, the first unbeaten three-plus-series road trip in franchise history, extending the majors' best winning streak.

Rays complete perfect 9-0 West Coast trip, extend win streak to eight

Tampa Bay beat Oakland 8-4 behind a Liam Hicks three-run homer and a career-high 12th win for Drew Rasmussen, completing a 9-0 road trip as the club runs away with the AL East.

Rays sign infielder Jorge Mateo after Ben Williamson hamstring injury

Tampa Bay signed Mateo, released by Atlanta the prior week, after manager Kevin Cash called Williamson's right hamstring strain 'fairly serious.' Carson Williams, recalled when Williamson was hurt, is expected to be optioned once the Mateo deal is official.

DRaysBay tracks a shrinking magic number to clinch the AL East as the fan conversation shifts toward playoff seeding.

Rays make it eight straight as Martinez tosses complete game, Walls homers from both sides in 12-4 rout of Athletics

Nick Martinez threw a complete game (4 ER, 8 H, 5 K) and Tampa Bay hit six total home runs, including two from Taylor Walls (one from each side of the plate), extending the AL East leader's win streak to eight.

Eight straight wins, AL East lead widening

Rays rally from 6-2 deficit to beat Athletics 10-6, extend AL East lead

Yandy Diaz's leadoff homer started it and an eight-run unanswered stretch finished it as Tampa Bay pushed its division lead to six games over the Yankees and eight over Boston.

AL East's clear front-runner continues to extend its division lead behind deadline additions.

Rays complete three-game sweep of Mariners, 4-1

Ian Seymour fired six innings of one-run ball as Tampa Bay extended its AL East lead to 5.5 games; Cedric Mullins and Liam Hicks each drove in runs as the Rays handed Seattle a fourth straight loss.

Rays place Griffin Jax on 15-day IL with elbow discomfort

The move is retroactive to Aug. 6; manager Kevin Cash said initial testing suggested the issue is not ligament-related, with a specialist visit scheduled this week. RHP Michael Grove was recalled from Durham to cover the bullpen.

Rays reach franchise-best 70th win in bullpen game over Mariners

Scratched Griffin Jax (elbow discomfort) hours before first pitch; Legumina started in his place, Palacios and Mesa Jr. drove in the runs in a 3-2 win.

Rays say they're comfortable with what's left on the farm after deadline dealing

Of eight top-30 prospects traded, only one ranked higher than 15th in the system; front office views its top shelf as intact.

Rays reach franchise-best 70th win in bullpen game over Mariners

Rays say they're comfortable with what's left on the farm after deadline dealing

Best record in MLB by a wide margin; no news this cycle, sources checked.