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Jonathan Aranda has Three Hits in Losing Effort in Game 1 of World Series
Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Jonathan Aranda did his part in Game 1 of the World Series on Friday night in Milwaukee against the Brewers, but it was not enough in the 3-2 loss. Aranda went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate out of the two-hole for the Rays with a run scored and a walk. It was the second three-hit game of this postseason for the 28-year-old left-handed slugger, and Aranda has now gone 12-for-38 (.316) with a homer, five RBI, and five runs scored in 10 postseason games this year for the Rays. However, Aranda has not homered since Game 1 of the American League Division Series against the division-rival New York Yankees on Oct. 3. The Rays are going to need Aranda's bat to stay hot if they are going to have any chance of taking down the red-hot Brewers in this year's Fall Classic, especially after falling down 1-0 on Friday night. Aranda broke out during the 2026 regular season in his third full season in the majors, slashing .274/.358/.434 with a .792 OPS, 22 home runs, 92 RBI, and 73 runs scored in 155 games and 668 plate appearances.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Yandy Diaz Goes Deep in ALCS Game 6 Win, Helps Rays Advance
Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Yandy Diaz went 1-for-4 at the plate with a two-run home run in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series on Monday night against the Cleveland Guardians to help the Rays get back to the World Series. Diaz has picked up in the postseason right where he left off in the regular season, where he hit .293/.359/.446 with an .805 OPS, 22 home runs, 85 RBI, 93 runs scored, and three steals in 614 at-bats. The 35-year-old Cuban slugger hit his second home run of the ALCS and heads into this year's World Series having gone 12-for-39 (.308) with two homers, four doubles, four RBI, seven runs scored, one walk, and nine strikeouts in nine total games. Diaz went hitless in just one of those nine games and has recorded multiple hits in three postseason games this year. The Rays are hoping that Diaz can continue to rack up hits regularly and set the table for a potent offense against the Milwaukee Brewers in the World Series.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jonathan Aranda Continues Strong Postseason in ALCS Game 5 Win
Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Jonathan Aranda was one of the key contributors in his team's 3-1 win over the Cleveland Guardians in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday, logging two hits and an RBI in five plate appearances. Aranda emerged as a staple at the top of the Rays lineup in 2026, hitting .274/.358/.434 with 22 home runs, 92 RBI, and 73 runs scored across 668 plate appearances. The 28-year-old has continued his solid production in the playoffs so far, slashing .290/.353/.387 with one home run, five RBI, and four runs scored across 35 plate appearances. Tampa Bay will have a chance to advance past Cleveland and into the World Series with a win in Game 6 on Monday.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Jonathan Aranda has Three Hits, Two RBI in Game 4 Win Over Guardians
Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Jonathan Aranda helped carry the offense in the 7-3 victory over the Cleveland Guardians in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series on Saturday night at Progressive Field. Aranda, batting out of the two-hole, went 3-for-4 at the plate with two RBI, two runs scored, and a walk. It was nice to see Aranda do something on offense after going hitless in the first three games of the series. In seven total postseason games this October, Aranda has gone 7-for-26 (.269) at the plate with a home run, four RBI, four runs scored, one walk, and three strikeouts. The Rays are going to need their core players like Aranda to continue stepping up if they are going to win two more games necessary to get them back to the World Series. The 28-year-old left-handed slugger from Mexico followed up his first-time All-Star bid in 2025 with a nice .274/.358/.434 slash line with a career-high 22 home runs, 92 RBI, and 73 runs scored across 155 games and 668 plate appearances during the regular season in his fifth year in the majors.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jonathan Aranda Hits Decisive Home Run in Game 1 of ALDS on Saturday
Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Jonathan Aranda had the biggest hit of his team's 1-0 victory over the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the American League Division Series on Saturday, slugging a solo home run off Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole in the third inning. It was Aranda's lone hit of the night, but it proved to be the difference in a pitcher's duel. The 28-year-old was a steady presence at the top of the Rays' order during the regular season, hitting .274/.358/.434 with 22 home runs, 92 RBI, and 73 runs scored across 668 plate appearances. He had one of his better power months to close the year, hitting five home runs in just 85 plate appearances in September. If Aranda can stay hot in October, he could be an X-factor for Tampa Bay.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Xavier Isaac Caps Off Minor-League Season With Good Showing at Durham
Tampa Bay Rays first base prospect Xavier Isaac had a good minor league season at age 22 and closed it off well with a good stint at Triple-A Durham. Called up to Durham from Double-A Montgomery on August 25, Isaac played 18 games with the Durham Bulls down the stretch. He finished that stint with three homers and eight RBI in 59 at bats with a .271 batting average and 11 runs scored. Altogether between Montgomery and Durham, Isaac combined to hit .258 with 27 homers and 79 RBI to go with 20 stolen bases and 88 runs scored. Isaac is the No. 18 prospect in the Rays system and looks like he could be ready for a role on the 2027 Rays team. Isaac appears to be a promising talent with 60-grade power, but just a 35-grade hit tool. He could be a good homer and RBI threat but leave something to be desired in the batting average category.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Xavier Isaac Showing Off Skills at Triple-A Durham
Tampa Bay Rays first base prospect Xavier Isaac is 22 years old and progressing nicely through the minor leagues. His latest stop is at Triple-A Durham where he already has three homers and four RBI in 11 games and is hitting .308. Isaac spent most of the season at Double-A Montgomery where he hit .255 with 24 homers and 71 RBI in 99 games. The left-handed hitter is the No. 18 prospect of the Rays and has 60-grade power and 45-grade speed, but just a 35-grade hit tool. It looks like Isaac could be a detriment to the overall batting average of fantasy teams. But the power appears to be a plus and makes him worthy of a dynasty format stash. It could be a year or two before he makes his MLB debut but fantasy managers will still want to get a hold of him in dynasty leagues.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Rays Acquire Catcher Liam Hicks From the Marlins
The Tampa Bay Rays acquired catcher/first baseman Liam Hicks from the Miami Marlins on Monday in exchange for third base prospect Brayden Taylor, High-A shortstop Adrian Santana, and High-A pitcher Jacob Kisting, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Hicks will give the Rays an immediate upgrade at the catching position over both Hunter Feduccia and Nick Fortes for the remainder of the year, but he can also spend time at first base and designated hitter if Tampa wants to get creative with their lineup. The 27-year-old Canadian left-handed hitter will continue to be a lineup regular with his new squad after breaking out in 2026 with the Fish to the tune of a .282/.363/.432 slash line, a .795 OPS, 14 home runs, 62 RBI, 54 runs scored, and three stolen bases in his 354 at-bats in just his second year in the big leagues. Hicks stayed hot in July, batting .280 (26-for-93), although he had only one homer and a .692 OPS in 25 games. The move to Tampa should be at least a slight boost for Hicks' run-production opportunities.
Source: New York Post - Joel Sherman
Source: New York Post - Joel Sherman
Tre' Morgan Blasts Two Home Runs in Return From Triple-A Injured List
Tampa Bay Rays first base prospect Tre' Morgan went 2-for-4 with two home runs in his return to Triple-A Durham on Friday evening. Morgan was sidelined with an injury for nearly a month but returned in impressive fashion. On the season, Morgan has spent only 15 games with the Durham Bulls and posted a low .182/.250/.436 line with a .686 OPS. Fantasy managers should continue to keep an eye on his production as Morgan could compete for a late-season promotion to the majors if he were to find his footing. During the 2025 campaign, the former third-round pick out of LSU posted a .274/.398/.412 line with eight home runs and eight doubles over 92 games at Triple-A. For now, Morgan should not be viewed as a viable stash option as he remains at least a month away from a potential debut.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Jonathan Aranda's 2026 Breakout Poised to Continue After the All-Star Break?
Across 406 plate appearances so far in 2026, Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Jonathan Aranda is hitting .297/.394/.471 with 14 home runs, 64 RBI, and 48 runs scored. After mostly working in a big-side platoon role through the early portion of his Rays career, the 28-year-old has emerged as an everyday staple in the heart of the Tampa Bay lineup this season. Aranda's underlying metrics are not quite as strong as in previous years, but he still maintains a solid 10.4% barrel rate and 44.8% hard-hit rate. The lefty slugger has also posted a 12.6% walk rate while lowering his strikeout rate to a career-low 21.7%. While Aranda does not bring any speed, he profiles as a high-level source of run production and batting average with solid power. Fantasy managers should buy into his breakout season continuing into the second half of 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Yandy Diaz Back in Rays Lineup Versus Royals
Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Yandy Diaz (shoulder) is serving as the team's designated hitter and is batting leadoff for Tuesday's contest in Kansas City against Royals left-hander Noah Cameron, according to MLB.com. Jonathan Aranda is starting at first base and batting second. Diaz was pulled from Sunday's series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks with a strained left shoulder, but he's back in there for Tuesday's series opener against KC after a scheduled day off on Monday. Fantasy managers will want to get him back into their starting lineups in all traditional formats, especially with how well he has swung the bat in June. The 34-year-old Cuban veteran has gone 36-for-92 (.391) with a homer, six doubles, 15 RBI, and 14 runs scored in 25 games and 109 plate appearances, boosting his season slash line to .336/.416/.515 with a .932 OPS. Diaz is also hitting .400 with a .900 OPS and an RBI in a small sample size of five career at-bats against Cameron.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Yandy Diaz Expects to Play on Tuesday After Spraining his Shoulder
Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Yandy Diaz (shoulder) said he will be ready to play on Tuesday after exiting early from his team's win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday with a shoulder injury, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Topkin reports that Diaz said he is "hurting a little bit," but that the shoulder issue is something he's managed previously. The 34-year-old has been excellent so far in 2026, hitting .336/.416/.515 with 12 home runs, 53 RBI, 45 runs scored, and one stolen base across 341 plate appearances. Diaz's 13.3% strikeout rate is the lowest of his career, and he's a career .294 hitter across over 4,000 MLB plate appearances. While it sounds as though Diaz may avoid missed time, fantasy managers should check back to make sure he's in the Rays lineup for the start of their three-game set against the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday.
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Yandy Diaz Back in Lineup for Rays in Series Opener Against Yanks
Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Yandy Diaz (hands) is serving as the designated hitter and is batting cleanup for the Rays in Friday's series opener against the division-rival New York Yankees and right-hander Gerrit Cole, who is making his first major-league start since 2024, according to MLB.com. Jonathan Aranda is starting at first base for Tampa and will hit third in the batting order. Diaz got the day off on Wednesday against the Baltimore Orioles after being hit in both of his hands on Tuesday, but he's now back in action after the team had a day off on Thursday. Fantasy managers will want to plug Diaz back in their lineups in all formats now that he's back. He has gone 11-for-24 (.458) with three home runs, three doubles, 10 RBI, and seven runs scored during his six-game hitting streak, and he's also batting .318 with an .875 OPS, two home runs, and six RBI in 44 career at-bats against Cole in his career. The 34-year-old Cuban first baseman continues to be a hitting machine, as he enters Friday's action with a .316 average (55-for-174) and a .394 on-base percentage in 45 games.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Yandy Diaz Avoids Serious Injury, Could Return on Friday
Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Yandy Diaz (hands) got an X-ray and CT scan on Tuesday night after being hit by a pitch on both of his hands, according to Rays reporter Ryan Bass. The imaging came back negative on Diaz, who woke up sore on Wednesday, which is why he was held out of the starting lineup against the Baltimore Orioles. It appears as though he's avoided a serious injury. "I think it got the nail a little bit, but we'll try to give him the day," manager Kevin Cash said. "He was pretty adamant, like he thought he'd be okay, but if we can give him today, and then with the off day tomorrow, hopefully be pretty optimistic about him getting back in (Friday)." Fantasy managers can breathe a sigh of relief, and they'll want to check back on Friday to see if the 34-year-old veteran is ready to play in Friday's series opener in the Bronx against the division-rival New York Yankees. Although the Cuban slugger doesn't have high-end power, he's a must-start in traditional fantasy leagues when he's active, and he's hitting a cool .316 (55-for-174) on the season with 33 RBI, 27 runs, eight home runs, and a steal.
Source: Ryan Bass
Source: Ryan Bass
Yandy Diaz Out on Wednesday After Being Hit by a Pitch
Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Yandy Diaz (hand) is out of Wednesday's lineup versus the division-rival Baltimore Orioles at Tropicana Field after he was hit by a pitch on the hand on Tuesday, according to MLB.com. Ryan Vilade will draw into the lineup at first base and will bat cleanup for the first-place Rays against Orioles right-hander Shane Baz. We'll have an update on Diaz once we know more about the results of his X-rays, but for right now, fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day. The Rays have an off day on Thursday, so hopefully, Diaz will be ready to roll for the start of a big divisional series on Friday in the Bronx against the New York Yankees. The 34-year-old Cuban continues to be an excellent source of batting average for fantasy managers, as he's hitting .316 (55-for-174), and he's added eight homers, 33 RBI, 27 runs scored, and a stolen base in 45 games across 198 plate appearances. Vilade has been solid for Tampa in his 26 games played, going 19-for-60 (.317) with two homers and 13 RBI.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
