Rays Announce Trade With Braves After Brandon Lowe News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin M. Groe | Last updated Jul 22, 2025 3:25 PM ET

Second baseman Brandon Lowe is in his eighth season as a member of Tampa Bay Rays after being selected in the 2015 MLB Draft.

The 30-year-old slugger made his big-league debut in 2018 but didn’t fully break out until his first full season in 2019. That year, Lowe earned his first All-Star selection and finished third in American League Rookie of the Year voting.

Unfortunately, that season ended prematurely due to a strained left quad, and his career has been derailed by injuries ever since.

Lowe has been healthy in 2025, and he made his second All-Star appearance after hitting .269 with an .800 OPS, smashing 19 home runs and 50 RBIs over 86 games.

Before the All-Star break, Lowe suffered a left oblique strain that forced him to miss the All-Star Game and land on the injured list.

Lowe was quickly activated on Friday, but appeared in just two games before the Rays announced today he will return to the IL with left ankle/foot tendinitis.

In a corresponding move, the team acquired outfielder Stuart Fairchild from the Atlanta Braves for cash considerations.

The Tampa Bay Rays have placed INF Brandon Lowe (left ankle/foot tendinitis) on the 10-day IL (retro July 20) and acquired OF Stuart Fairchild from the Braves for cash considerations.

Fairchild will wear No. 20. (1/2)
— Rays Communications (@RaysPR) July 22, 2025

Fairchild has struggled to establish himself at the major-league level, despite flashes of potential in Triple-A. When he makes his debut with the Rays, it will mark his fifth organization in as many seasons.

At second base, Ha-Seong Kim, Jose Caballero and Taylor Walls will each have an opportunity to step up and fill the gap if Lowe misses extended time.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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