Tampa Bay Rays: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Rays Designate Ken Waldichuk For Assignment

The Rays announced they’ve designated left-hander Ken Waldichuk for assignment. That’s the corresponding 40-man roster move for infielder Ben Williamson, acquired from Seattle in tonight’s three-team trade that sent All-Star utility player Brendan Donovan to the Mariners.

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MLB to Produce and Distribute Rays Broadcast

The Tampa Bay Rays announced today that Major League Baseball will take over production and distribution of local television broadcasts beginning with the 2026 season.

Tampa Bay Rays News / Tampa Bay Rays on SI / February 2

Pressure on Young Rays Pitcher To Help Replace Shane Baz in Rotation

Heading into the MLB offseason, the Tampa Bay Rays had a few areas of weakness to address on their roster. Everyone knew they needed more offense, but an under-the-radar need was their starting rotation.

Ben Williamson News / DRaysBay / February 2

Rays reportedly acquire INF Ben Williamson in three-team deal

The Tampa Bay Rays have reportedly acquired slick fielding third baseman Ben Williamson from the Seattle Mariners as part of a three-team deal. We will update this article when the trade is finalized.

Cleveland Guardians News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'MLB active doubles leaders' quiz

How many of the active MLB players with 300 or more doubles in their career can you name in five minutes?

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MLB News / Yardbarker / February 2

Mariners getting needed bat in Brendon Donovan via three-team deal

Mariners getting needed bat in All-Star Brendon Donovan via three-team deal with Cardinals, Rays

The Seattle Mariners had been looking for another bat in the lineup, with president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto hinting that a trade was in the works. That deal came together on Monday.

Cincinnati Reds add needed power bat in Eugenio Suarez

Giants find temporary answer at second base with Luis Arraez

Yankees, Mets are in MLB free agency battle for former All-Star infielder

Yankees' endeavor points to potential Jasson Dominguez mistake

Munetaka Murakami makes an unusual request of the White Sox

MLB News / Yardbarker

The 20 most significant MLB Rule 5 draftees

The Rule 5 draft, held annually at the winter meetings in December, never garners much fanfare, but it has been known to yield some noteworthy transactions.

Tampa Bay Rays News / Tampa Bay Rays on SI / February 2

Rays' Former All-Star Wisely Deemed X-Factor for Team This Season

With pitchers and catchers set to report soon for the Tampa Bay Rays, the start of the season is right around the corner. For the Rays, they will be hoping a key player can stay healthy and succeed. As expected for Tampa Bay this winter, there were no shortage of moves made by the team to try and improve.

Tampa Bay Rays News / Tampa Bay Rays on SI / February 2

Former All-Star Catcher Could Be Solid Option for Rays in Free Agency

The Tampa Bay Rays have been very busy this offseason and made a lot of moves, but they have not been able to address one area of need. Coming into the winter, the Rays had a desire to improve and try to snap a two-year playoff drought.

Tampa Bay Rays News / Tampa Bay Rays on SI / February 1

Rays Predicted to Add New Catcher in Free Agency Before Opening Day

With the start of spring training quickly approaching, the Tampa Bay Rays will be hoping to snap a two-year playoff drought. However, there are still some question marks on the roster. So far this winter, the Rays have been one of the more aggressive teams in terms of making moves.

Matt Thaiss News / MLB Trade Rumors / January 31

Red Sox, Matt Thaiss Agree To Minor-League Deal

The Red Sox have agreed to a minor-league deal with catcher Matt Thaiss, according to Andrew Parker of SoxProspects (link via Chris Cotillo of MassLive).

Tampa Bay Rays News / Tampa Bay Rays on SI / January 31

Rays Star Pitcher Projected for Incredibly Productive Return to Mound

The Tampa Bay Rays' pitching staff is going to look a lot different in 2026 than it did at the end of the 2025 campaign. Closer Pete Fairbanks had his club option declined, which made him a free agent.

Tampa Bay Rays News / Tampa Bay Rays on SI / January 31

Rays' Top 100 Prospect Has Potential To Be Impact Player in 2026

The Tampa Bay Rays have had a very busy offseason, and the team will be hoping to contend in 2026. As expected, the Rays were a very busy team this winter, making a plethora of moves with both improving for the short-term and the long-term in mind.

MLB News / Yardbarker

The 25 greatest pitching seasons from the modern MLB era

America's favorite pastime has more memorable performances than any sport. As such, figuring out which pitchers had the best seasons ever is no easy task.

Junior Caminero News / Tampa Bay Rays on SI / January 31

Junior Caminero Will Make or Break Rays Because of One Statistic

The Tampa Bay Rays are going to have some new faces in their lineup for the 2026 season. Gone is second baseman Brendan Lowe, part of a trade package with outfielder Jake Mangum and right-handed pitcher Mason Montgomery to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Tampa Bay Rays News / Tampa Bay Rays on SI / January 30

Rays Official Spring Training Invitees List Headlined by Top Prospects

After a busy offseason, the Tampa Bay Rays are set to begin the 2026 season soon with spring training right around the corner. It will be nice to see the team back on the field preparing for the upcoming regular season.

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Tampa Bay Rays News / Tampa Bay Rays on SI / January 30

Rays Shockingly Receive Poor Farm System Ranking Heading into 2026

It has been a very busy offseason for the Tampa Bay Rays, who are hoping to be able to contend in 2026. While that might be a lofty goal, the franchise is also trying to keep an eye toward the future. The Rays are one of the few teams in baseball that year after year can remain competitive while keeping a vision for the long-term.

MLB News / Just Baseball / January 31

Top Cardinals’ Prospects Who Could Contribute in 2026

Chaim Bloom’s reign as the head of baseball operations is off to a scorching start, with household names Nolan Arenado, Willson Contreras, and Sonny Gray all being moved to contenders.

Tampa Bay Rays News / New Baseball Media / January 30

Rays’ 2026 Spring Training NRI List Includes Hopkins, Isaac

The Tampa Bay Rays announced their list of 2026 Spring Training non-roster players on January 30. Tampa’s list includes several former first-round hitters, plus several of the team’s rising pitching prospects.

Tampa Bay Rays News / DRaysBay / January 30

Tampa Bay Rays announce 2026 Spring Training invitees

The Tampa Bay Rays have announced their non-roster invitees to Spring Training and the list is made up of several top prospects and former top draft picks as well as several players with big league experience.

Tampa Bay Rays News / Tampa Bay Rays on SI / January 30

Rays' Star Slugger Could Become Top Player in Baseball in Near Future

With pitchers and catchers set to report soon, the start of the 2026 season is right around the corner for the Tampa Bay Rays. Heading into the year, all eyes are going to be on one player in particular for the team. As expected, this winter, the Rays were a very active team both on the trade market and in free agency.

Tampa Bay Rays News / Tampa Bay Rays on SI / January 30

Rays Counting on Outfielder Debuting in Top 100 Prospect Rankings

The Tampa Bay Rays are never going to be a team that spends a lot of money in free agency, putting them behind the eight-ball when it comes to competing with their rivals in the American League East.

Shane McClanahan News / Last Word On Sports / January 29

What Can the Rays Expect From Shane McClanahan?

A lot has happened since Shane McClanahan last threw a professional pitch for the Tampa Bay Rays. It’s been nearly three years since the native of Maryland was healthy and dominating on the mound.

Tampa Bay Rays News / MLB on ClutchPoints / January 27

Tampa mayor addresses report on Rays’ $2.3 billion stadium cost

The Tampa Bay Rays remain at the center of a high-stakes stadium debate as new cost projections surface, placing renewed focus on the future of baseball in the region.

Tampa Bay Rays News / Last Word On Sports / January 26

Can the Rays Still Bolster Their Catching Depth?

The Tampa Bay Rays have been quiet since the calendar flipped to a new year, but there is still time to bolster the edges of the roster. The options are dwindling, though, and the Rays need to demonstrate a level of aggressiveness.

Tampa Bay Rays News / MLB Trade Rumors / January 25

Finding The Rays’ Closer Replacement

There was a time in the not-so-distant past that Tampa Bay shuffled through closers every season. Manager Kevin Cash took over in 2015. Over the next eight seasons, the club had seven different saves leaders.

Tampa Bay Rays News / Total Pro Sports / January 22

Tampa Bay Rays Issue Key Update On Stadium Status

Tropicana Field’s indefinite shutdown cast serious doubt on the Tampa Bay Rays’ long-term survival after the damage from Hurricane Milton. As a result, the Rays played their home games at Steinbrenner Field last year, the spring training facility of the New York Yankees.

MLB News / Yardbarker / January 14