All articles tagged with #tampa bay rays
The Rays used the No. 2 overall pick to draft Texas prep shortstop Grady Emerson, a left-handed hitter from Fort Worth Christian High School, renowned for a premium hit tool and strong amateur pedigree, after Roch Cholowsky went No. 1 to the White Sox. Emerson joins a Rays draft haul that includes Taj Marchand (No. 33) and Ben Blair (No. 49) on Day 1 as Tampa Bay builds its young, high-ceiling core.
Jac Caglianone led Kansas City with three hits, including two homers, as the Royals blew past the Rays 12-5. Loftin added a four-hit night with a homer, Avila worked five innings despite infield miscues by Salvador Perez, and the bullpen closed it out. The win showcased heavy offense across the lineup, but Kansas City remains near the bottom of the AL standings in a strangely competitive season where even the wild-card leaders aren’t thriving.
Hillsborough County will assess how Gov. DeSantis’ property-tax plan—boosting the homestead exemption and capping commercial property at 5%—could affect finances as the county negotiates a Rays stadium deal; Commissioner Chris Boles pushes for questions on long-term exposure, reserves, taxpayer protections, and the enforceability of private commitments, noting a $103 million rainy-day fund within a proposed $976 million public contribution and the potential need to revisit financial templates.
The Rays moved left-hander Steven Matz to the bullpen after a rough return from the IL, with 12 runs allowed in 8 2/3 innings; manager Kevin Cash said the move isn’t permanent as the club reshapes its rotation, with Mason Englert likely stepping into Matz’s spot and a potential six-man rotation being considered to limit innings for McClanahan and Rasmussen.
Franco was found guilty in a Dominican Republic retrial of sexual and psychological abuse of a minor but will not serve prison time because a three-judge panel granted him a judicial pardon; the conviction remains, and the minor’s mother was given a ten-year sentence for money laundering and threats. The verdict echoes last year’s outcome, with a full reading planned for June 16, while MLB and the Rays said they will cooperate with the league’s policy review; visa issues and possible MLB suspension could impede his return to the U.S. or active play.
The Tampa Bay Rays signed veteran reliever Craig Kimbrel to a major league contract after he was designated for assignment by the Mets, adding a veteran arm as Jesse Scholtens lands on the 15-day IL with a right wrist strain. Kimbrel, 37, has 440 career saves across 11 teams and could be in the Rays’ bullpen for tonight’s game against the Orioles. The move aims to bolster a bullpen dealing with injuries and late-season usage, with Kimbrel’s turbulent recent stretch contrasted by the Rays’ history of reviving veteran arms.
The Orioles beat the Rays 9-7 in 13 innings, with Colton Cowser delivering a walk-off home run for his second straight game (following Sunday's winner vs. Detroit) as Baltimore weathered early Rays punches and earned a gritty, momentum-shifting victory praised by manager Craig Albernaz for not wavering.
The Athletic revisits a seriously discussed 2023 deadline scenario in which Shohei Ohtani could have been traded from the Angels to the Rays for top Rays prospects Junior Caminero and Carson Williams. Angels owner Arte Moreno balked at the deal, and Ohtani later signed with the Dodgers as a free agent. The piece uses the “what if” to illustrate how one decision might have reshaped both clubs, highlighting Caminero’s emerging star power and the Angels’ missed opportunity.
Max Fried worked eight innings of three-run ball and left with a quality start, but the Yankees’ bats again went cold in key spots. Caballero produced three RBIs and delivered a go-ahead two-run double late, yet New York’s bullpen and defense couldn’t hold the lead. The Rays tied the game in extras and won it in the 10th on a decisive infield single/grounder by Aranda, handing the Yankees their fourth straight defeat.
The Rays acquired Gavin Lux in a three-team trade and plan to use him as their everyday second baseman, focusing his defensive work at the keystone and likely locking Taylor Walls in at shortstop to start the season, with Carson Williams headed back to Triple-A; Lux’s move is aimed at stabilizing the infield around his strengths at second base, while Richie Palacios could see his opportunities reduced.
The Tampa Bay Rays have been sold to a group led by Florida real estate developer Patrick Zalupski, with the sale approved by Major League Baseball, and plans to find a new ballpark are underway after previous delays.
Patrick Zalupski and his investors are acquiring the Tampa Bay Rays, signaling a new chapter for the franchise and efforts to keep the team in Tampa Bay.
Major League Baseball owners approved the sale of the Tampa Bay Rays to a group led by Patrick Zalupski, marking a significant change in ownership after years of stadium and relocation challenges. The team, which has experienced playoff success and high attendance in the past, has faced issues with stadium damage and delays in building a new ballpark, leading to games being played at Steinbrenner Field this season. The new ownership is expected to initiate a search for a new stadium site in the Tampa-St. Petersburg area.
The Red Sox promoted Kyle Harrison in September during a playoff race, and he delivered a strong six-inning start against the Rays, showcasing his development and patience from the team, which paid off with a win.
Wander Franco's family called police due to concerns about his well-being, leading to his admission to a private clinic for mental health issues in the Dominican Republic.