RADIO
Bryan Baker Pulled Early Friday, "Nothing Physical"
Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said that right-handed closer Bryan Baker (illness) was pulled from his outing early on Friday against the Texas Rangers with an illness and is dealing with "nothing physical," according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Baker was brought in for the ninth in a save situation and allowed an earned run on two walks without recording an out before he was replaced by Tyler Wells, who hung on for his sixth save of the season in the 7-6 win in Texas. The 31-year-old Baker might not be available for the rest of the weekend series against the Rangers, but it is unlikely that he will need a stint on the injured list, which is great news for fantasy managers. The former 11th-round pick by the Colorado Rockies in 2016 from North Florida came out of nowhere in 2026 to be an elite source of saves. Baker, a first-time All-Star this year, came into Friday's outing with a 1.47 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, a league-leading 39 saves, 60 strikeouts, and 18 walks in 55 innings pitched. Before this season, Baker had four saves in five MLB campaigns with the Rays, Orioles, and Blue Jays. Consider him day-to-day going into Saturday.
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Shane McClanahan Lands on Injured List With Forearm Tightness
The Tampa Bay Rays announced on Friday that they placed left-hander Shane McClanahan (forearm) on the 15-day injured list with tightness in his left forearm and recalled right-hander Alex Cook from Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move. Because of the timing of his injury, McClanahan is unlikely to pitch again for the Rays in the regular season, and he might not be available in the postseason either. The move comes after the southpaw struggled in his most recent start on Thursday against the Texas Rangers, when he allowed four earned runs in just five innings pitched. The 29-year-old two-time All-Star will head to the shelf for the second time this year with a 10-7 record, 3.36 ERA (3.49 FIP), and 1.12 WHIP with 106 strikeouts and 39 walks in 118 innings across his 24 starts. All things considered, it was a successful campaign for McClanahan after missing all of the 2024 and 2025 seasons due to arm injuries. It is concerning that he is dealing with another forearm injury, but hopefully it is nothing serious and he can avoid going under the knife. Stay tuned for an update on his condition.
Source: Rays Communications
Source: Rays Communications
Griffin Jax Activated Ahead of Wednesday's Start
The Tampa Bay Rays announced that they activated right-hander Griffin Jax (elbow) from the 15-day injured list and optioned right-hander Alex Cook to Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move. Jax is set to start Wednesday night's game against the New York Mets. The 31-year-old veteran ended up making just one minor-league rehab start and will rejoin Tampa's starting rotation for the first time since going on the IL in early August with discomfort in his right elbow. He started the year as the favorite for saves at the back end of Tampa's bullpen, but he was quickly moved to a starting role. In 29 total appearances (18 starts) this year, the former third-rounder by the Minnesota Twins in 2016 from Air Force Academy has gone 6-9 with a 3.63 ERA (3.94 FIP) and 1.21 WHIP with a career-high 100 strikeouts and 30 walks in 91 2/3 innings pitched in his first year with the Rays. Despite the layoff, Jax will be an intriguing fantasy streamer against the Mets in his return to action. In four of his last five starts before going on the IL, Jax allowed exactly one earned run, and he combined for 18 strikeouts and only three walks in his last two appearances.
Source: Rays Communications
Source: Rays Communications
Emmanuel Rodriguez Hits for the Cycle, Re-Enters Stash Territory
Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez has hit safely in 13 of the 16 games he's played at Triple-A since returning from the injured list and has been on base at least once in all but one due to his ability to draw walks. Most impressive of all was that the Twins' fifth-ranked prospect hit for the cycle for St. Paul on Tuesday night, going 4-for-5 with three RBI and three runs scored. The 5-foot-11 Dominican is the author of a robust .273/.425/.568 slash line this season, with 11 home runs and seven steals in 41 games for the Saints. The left-handed hitter has plenty of pop, registering in the 94th percentile or better in average exit velocity, hard-hit rate, and barrel rate, while also showing an elite ability to draw walks over the course of his minor league career, including a 19.7 percent rate in 2026. His inability to stay healthy has been the limiting factor and what has kept him from debuting in the majors, having played in no more than 65 games the last three seasons. Currently healthy, though, the 23-year-old -- who is on the 40-man roster -- should be considered a high-end stash option for power, though he carries batting average risk.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Emmanuel Rodriguez Red-Hot At Triple-A in His Return
Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez has gotten off to a great start in his return to Triple-A St. Paul this season with 10 homers and 27 RBI in 39 games while hitting .246 with 26 runs scored and seven stolen bases. Rodriguez recovered from thumb surgery and has only played a total of 48 games this season between three minor league levels on his way back. Rodriguez is the No. 5 prospect in the Twins' system and has 55-grade power with 55-grade speed. That power-speed combination is appealing to fantasy managers but with a 45-grade hit tool, the batting average is a concern. With Walker Jenkins and Kaelen Culpepper called up from the minors already this season, the Twins are most likely to allow Rodriguez to fully recover this season at Triple-A, but a call-up to Minnesota isn't out of the question.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Junior Caminero Carrying 11-Game Hitting Streak into Saturday
Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero is having another phenomenal season for the Rays and fantasy managers in 2026 in his fourth season in the big leagues after breaking out with 45 home runs, 110 RBI, 93 runs scored, and seven stolen bases in 154 games played in 2025. Caminero is currently slashing .280/.366/.528 with a career-best .895 OPS, 35 home runs, 85 RBI, 82 runs scored, and three stolen bases across 134 games and 584 plate appearances. The 23-year-old Dominican is one of the best young hitters in the game, and he is riding an 11-game hitting streak into Game 2 of the weekend series in Tampa against the San Diego Padres on Saturday. During his current streak, Caminero has gone 15-for-43 (.349) with zero home runs, two doubles, six RBI, and five runs scored in 46 plate appearances. Although he has only hit seven home runs in 40 games since the All-Star break, he is still hitting a strong .282 (44-for-156) with an .821 OPS in 173 plate appearances. Caminero is not slowing down whatsoever and is a fantasy staple at the third base position.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Ty Johnson Dominating, Making Case for MLB Debut
Tampa Bay Rays pitching prospect Ty Johnson has been about as shutdown as they come this month out of the bullpen at Triple-A Durham, having yet to allow a run on two hits and one walk while striking out 13 batters in eight innings of work. That equates to an absurd 48.0 percent K-BB% and a 14.63 K/9. For the season, the 6-foot-6 hurler owns a 2.81 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and a 25.1 percent K-BB% across 57 2/3 innings pitched in 17 appearances. Bryan Baker has the closer role locked down in Tampa, but with Johnson's big-time strikeout stuff, the right-hander could soon find himself coming out of the 'pen for the Rays, and with his strikeout upside, he warrants attention in fantasy leagues. He's not a must-stash, but for managers in leagues that reward holds or simply for any manager looking to boost strikeouts and ratios down the stretch, the 24-year-old should be on their radar.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Jacob Melton a Strong Stash for Steals When Healthy
Tampa Bay Rays outfield prospect Jacob Melton (hamstring) was flashing his elite speed at Triple-A Durham before being placed on the injured list with hamstring tightness back on August 4, his second time on the IL this season. The Rays' eighth-ranked prospect was riding a six-game hit streak and had stolen bases in three consecutive games before suffering the injury, which had raised his slash line to .285/.381/.520 with five home runs and 23 steals in just 36 games for the Bulls. The former second-round draft pick has been swinging a bat recently, but there has been no official update to his status from the organization, so his timeline for return is unclear. It has been an injury-marred campaign, and if the 25-year-old could stay healthy, he'd be one of the top stashes for his stolen-base potential, but until the 6-foot-2 slugger returns to action and makes a run at a major league promotion, there is no need to roster him.
Source: Run From the OPS
Source: Run From the OPS
Theo Gillen Producing Monster Numbers in Minors at Age 20
Tampa Bay Rays outfield prospect Theo Gillen is just 20 years old and is already showing off his skills with the Double-A Montgomery Biscuits. The left-handed hitter has split his time between High-A and Double-A this season with 21 homers and 80 RBI to go with 40 stolen bases while hitting .323. Those are monster numbers for the young outfield prospect, and they are enticing to call for a stash of Gillen to fantasy rosters even in redraft leagues. The 40 stolen bases are elite speed for the Rays' No. 2 overall prospect. He boasts 60-grade speed with a 55-grade hit tool and 55-grade power. Fantasy managers wanting to take a chance can do so on Gillen, but he has yet to hit Triple-A, so the Rays could be a bit hesitant in their promotion of the future star.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Brody Hopkins Pitching In Relief In Past Two Appearances at Triple-A
Tampa Bay Rays pitching prospect Brody Hopkins has pitched one relief inning in each of his last two outings for Triple-A Durham, potentially previewing a move to the bullpen at Tampa Bay in the big leagues. Hopkins allowed two earned runs in one of those two outings with three walks and a hit allowed. He was perfect in his first inning of relief with two strikeouts. The right-hander is ranked No. 7 in the Rays organization and has a 60-grade fastball and curveball with a 55-grade slider and cutter. All in all for Durham this season, Hopkins is 4-8 with a 5.48 ERA and 1.76 WHIP in his age 24 season. He has 109 strikeouts in 87 innings pitched. He's looking like a bullpen chance could be on the horizon for him this season for the Rays, but that doesn't make him the most appealing fantasy option.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Shane McClanahan to Return on Monday
According to Marc Topkin, Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane McClanahan (back) will be activated from the 15-day Injured List and start against the Baltimore Orioles on Monday. McClanahan is finally back in the mix after being sidelined since the end of July due to mild back tightness. He looked excellent during his lone rehab start with Triple-A Durham on Tuesday. The expectation is that McClanahan will be working with a restricted workload at first. Even with restrictions, McClanahan should be rostered and started in all fantasy formats. Fantasy managers should double-check the waiver wire to see if he's available ahead of Monday's outing.
Source: Marc Topkin
Source: Marc Topkin
Griffin Jax Resumes Throwing
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Griffin Jax (elbow) was able to throw from 120 feet on Friday, according to Marc Topkin. This is encouraging news after Jax recently got an injection in his right elbow. Rays manager Kevin Cash described the throwing session as "very, very good" and noted the team will begin ramping up Jax's activity. The right-hander is eligible to return from the IL on August 21, but it's unclear if his stint will be that quick. Given his progress, fantasy managers should have Jax back in the mix before the end of the month. Fantasy managers looking for pitching help should scoop Jax up off the waiver wire in leagues where he was dropped.
Source: Marc Topkin
Source: Marc Topkin
Theo Gillen Showing Off All his Tools In the Minor Leagues
The Tampa Bay Rays top outfield prospect Theo Gillen is having a very good age-20 season between two levels of the minors in 2026. Now with Double-A Montgomery, Gillen has hit .320 combined between two teams with 20 homers and 74 RBI to go with 78 runs and 39 stolen bases. The left-handed hitting outfielder is producing in all five categories and offers a very balanced statistical profile for future fantasy leagues. But right now, Gillen may need more nurturing in the minors and could be looking at a few years down the road for a major-league debut. He's a name to remember, however, because of his 60-grade hit tool and 60-grade speed. He could be a very appealing power-speed combination in years to come. Dynasty managers will want to snatch him up for future teams as he looks like a potential stud.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Griffin Jax to Resume Throwing Soon
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Griffin Jax (elbow) received an injection in his right elbow after a visit with Dr. Keith Meister, according to Ryan Bass. Jax appears to be in a good place after landing on the 15-day Injured List on Sunday due to right elbow discomfort. Rays' manager Kevin Cash said they plan to give Jax a few days off to rest and then get him back to throwing. This is looking like a best-case scenario where Jax avoids surgery and could return when first eligible on August 21. Fantasy managers who panic dropped Jax might want to consider adding him again. The right-hander could be back in the rotation in a few weeks, assuming everything goes well. He's worth a stash in fantasy formats where he was dropped.
Source: Ryan Bass
Source: Ryan Bass
Shane McClanahan Looks Good in Tuesday's Rehab Start
Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Shane McClanahan (back) looked good in his minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Durham on Tuesday, throwing three shutout innings with no hits allowed, no walks, and two strikeouts. The 29-year-old southpaw hit 95.7 mph on the radar gun and threw a total of 30 pitches in the outing. If the Rays feel comfortable returning McClanahan to their starting rotation after just one rehab start, he will most likely be on a short leash his next time on the mound, limiting his fantasy upside. After missing each of the last two years due to complications from Tommy John surgery, McClanahan is 9-6 in 2026 with a 3.09 ERA (3.34 FIP) and 1.12 WHIP with 91 strikeouts and 35 walks in 99 innings pitched across 20 starts. The two-time All-Star allowed six runs (five earned) on July 19 against the division-rival Boston Red Sox, but he allowed one or fewer runs in his other four starts in the month of July. McClanahan can definitely help fantasy managers in all leagues down the stretch and is rostered in 84% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Milb.com
Source: Milb.com
