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Rays

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Hunter Bigge warms up during spring training Feb. 12 in Port Charlotte. Of being hit in the face by a foul ball last June, the Rays reliever said, "I think it put a lot of things in perspective."
Scary incident behind him, Hunter Bigge looks ahead to helping Rays
After being struck in face by a foul ball in June, the reliever has worked his way back onto the mound and is looking “normal.”
Top 2024 pick Theo Gillen healthy, ready for this to be ‘the’ year
Rays 2024 first-round draft pick Theo Gillen speaks to the media before a 2024 game against the Reds. He should get the chance to play in several big-league exhibitions, manager Kevin Cash said.
Notes | The 20-year-old has overcome injuries, adapted well to a move to the outfield and reshaped his body.
For 2 Rays pitchers, this spring training has become a ‘family’ affair
Rays pitcher Ryan Pepiot and his wife, Lilia, are pictured at their wedding in November 2021. Lilia’s second cousin and now Rays pitching prospect Ty Johnson is at far right.
Tales | A parent of one player and a grandfather of the other’s wife are brothers, which has made for a special relationship.
New Rays OF Jacob Melton gained by considering what he could have lost
Rays outfielder Jacob Melton bats against the Pirates during a spring game last Sunday in Bradenton. He was acquired from Houston in the three-team trade that sent Brandon Lowe to Pittsburgh on Dec. 19.
Spending time fly-fishing while recovering from shoulder surgery in college provided needed perspective and served the prized prospect well.

Latest

  1. Top 2024 pick Theo Gillen healthy, ready for this to be ‘the’ year
    • Rays
    Rays 2024 first-round draft pick Theo Gillen speaks to the media before a 2024 game against the Reds. He should get the chance to play in several big-league exhibitions, manager Kevin Cash said.
  2. Scary incident behind him, Hunter Bigge looks ahead to helping Rays
    • Rays
    Hunter Bigge warms up during spring training Feb. 12 in Port Charlotte. Of being hit in the face by a foul ball last June, the Rays reliever said, "I think it put a lot of things in perspective."
  3. For 2 Rays pitchers, this spring training has become a ‘family’ affair
    • Rays
    Rays pitcher Ryan Pepiot and his wife, Lilia, are pictured at their wedding in November 2021. Lilia’s second cousin and now Rays pitching prospect Ty Johnson is at far right.
  5. Rays’ Kevin Cash calls for MLB to revisit new rule, punish cheaters
    • Rays
    Rays manager Kevin Cash, shown Thursday, on Saturday called for Major League Baseball to revisit the new rule change requiring base coaches to remain in the parameters of the coaching box.
  6. New Rays OF Jacob Melton gained by considering what he could have lost
    • Rays
    Rays outfielder Jacob Melton bats against the Pirates during a spring game last Sunday in Bradenton. He was acquired from Houston in the three-team trade that sent Brandon Lowe to Pittsburgh on Dec. 19.
  7. Rays’ Chandler Simpson shows off new weapon in spring game debut
    • Rays
    The Rays' Chandler Simpson already excels at swiping bases. Now he's working on bunting. "Definitely a tool that I really need in my toolbox," he says.
  8. Rays’ Ryan Pepiot was pleased with 2025 but ready to top it in 2026
    • Rays
    Rays starter Ryan Pepiot finished the 2025 season with 11 wins, 14 quality starts and a solid 3.86 ERA. He also stayed healthy the entire season. “Wire-to-wire is the one — that’s the biggest one,” he says.
  9. Rays’ upgrades to Trop premium areas include speakeasy, candy shop
    • Rays
    The DEX Imaging Home Plate Club at Tropicana Field will include space for a new speakeasy, featuring craft cocktails and a lounge, complete with media for fans to follow action around Major League Baseball.
  10. Rays invite fans, residents to share thoughts on Tampa stadium at meetings
    • Rays
    The Rays have proposed building a stadium and mixed-use district on Hillsborough College's Dale Mabry campus in Tampa.
  11. Steven Matz has solid 1st spring outing; Shane McClanahan to start soon
    • Rays
    New Rays pitcher Steven Matz works two scoreless innings in Thursday's 7-5 spring loss to the Red Sox in Fort Myers. The Rays plan to use him as a starter, even though he spent most of last season as a reliever.
  12. Change has done Ben Williamson well, and he’s ready for more with Rays
    • Rays
    New Rays infielder Ben Williamson made his Major League Baseball debut last April with Seattle. Versatility will keep him in the lineup with Tampa Bay.
  13. Jonny DeLuca, Richie Palacios trying to make up for lost 2025 seasons
    • Rays
    The Rays' Jonny DeLuca hits a three-run home run against Baltimore Orioles pitcher Andrew Kittredge during the fourth inning of a spring training game Wednesday in Sarasota.
  14. A ‘3-headed dragon’ has future of Rays rotation looking much better
    • Rays
    Rays top prospect Brody Hopkins pitches during the first inning of a spring training game against the Orioles Wednesday in Sarasota. He struck out one while allowing one hit and one walk in one inning.
  15. 3 more questions Tampa Sports Authority has for Rays stadium deal
    • News
    Tampa Sports Authority board members raised more questions this week about whether Hillsborough County and Tampa have the money to pay for a stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team. Gov. Ron DeSantis, left, voiced his support for the proposal during a news conference at Hillsborough College, proposed site of the stadium, on Feb. 3. Rays CEO Ken Babby, right, spoke during the news conference.
  16. Rays’ Jake Fraley belts 3-run double and loses his belt in eventful day
    • Rays
    Manager Kevin Cash on Rays outfielder Jake Fraley: “Jake Fraley is a very complete baseball player that we’re going to work hard to make sure that we can keep on the field."
  17. With familiar faces in new places around MLB, it’s a Rays, Rays world
    • Rays
    Orioles manager Craig Albernaz got his start — and a base for his core philosophies — with the Rays, then took small steps with the Giants and Guardians before ascending to a decision-making position.
  18. Florida Cabinet approves giving Hillsborough College land for Rays stadium
    • Education
    Gov. Ron DeSantis addresses the media during a news conference at Hillsborough College Trustee Board Room, District Administration Building at Hillsborough College on Feb. 3 in Tampa. Gov. DeSantis discussed what role the state may play in the Tampa Bay Rays’ plan to build a stadium at Hillsborough College’s Dale Mabry campus.
  19. How ‘bad elk’ turned out good for Rays, Jonny DeLuca in walkoff win
    • Rays
    Outfielder Jonny DeLuca, shown last Tuesday, delivered a two-out, two-run single in the bottom of the ninth inning Monday to give the Rays their first spring win, 2-1 over the Red Sox in Port Charlotte.
  20. Who needs a star closer when the Rays have a bevy of bullpen arms?
    • Viewpoints
    Griffin Jax, pictured, along with Garrett Cleavinger, Edwin Uceta and Bryan Baker are expected to form a closer-by-committee role for the Rays in 2026.
  21. Rays’ Taylor Walls scratched from spring debut with oblique tightness
    • Rays
    Rays shortstop Taylor Walls, shown Tuesday, was scratched from the lineup before Sunday's game against the Pirates in Bradenton due to tightness in his left oblique.
  22. Longtime Ray Brandon Lowe is a Pirate now, with the adjustment ongoing
    • Rays
    Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe, center, chats with Rays coaches Sunday at LECOM Park in Bradenton. He was traded to Pittsburgh on Dec. 19 in a three-team deal that also included Houston.
  23. 3-way trades usually are rare, but for Rays they’re just another option
    • Rays
    Brandon Lowe, right, is greeted by Josh Lowe after hitting a home run last May against the Blue Jays in Tampa. Both players left the Rays this past offseason as part of three-way trades.
  24. Rays’ Shane McClanahan has good reason to smile after facing hitters
    • Rays
    Rays starter Shane McClanahan throws live batting practice on a back field Saturday in Port Charlotte. Manager Kevin Cash said he was “thrilled” with what he saw from the left-hander.
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