RADIO
Edwin Uceta to Miss First Few Months of 2027 After Shoulder Surgery
Tampa Bay Rays right-handed reliever Edwin Uceta (shoulder) underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his right shoulder in October and will miss at least the first couple of months of the 2027 season, president of baseball operations Erik Neander told Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Uceta was set to enter the 2026 campaign as Tampa's primary ninth-inning option, but that all changed when he dealt with a right-shoulder impingement and never pitched for the Rays at all last season. Bryan Baker ended up taking over closing duties for Tampa and led all of baseball with 41 saves and a 1.44 ERA to help the team get back to the World Series, where they lost in five games to the Milwaukee Brewers. Uceta will now miss the start of next season as well, and when he returns, he will most likely be relegated to a high-leverage setup role in front of Baker. The 28-year-old Dominican hurler combined to go 12-3 with a 2.98 ERA (2.98 FIP), 1.04 WHIP, six saves, 160 strikeouts, and 35 walks in 117 2/3 relief innings over 100 appearances out of the bullpen in his first two seasons for the Rays in 2024 and 2025. There is no guarantee that Uceta will be as dominant a high-leverage bullpen arm when he returns from his shoulder issues.
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Bryan Baker Logs Fifth Postseason Save in ALCS Game 5 Win
Tampa Bay Rays closer Bryan Baker continued his dominant postseason on Sunday, pitching a scoreless ninth inning in his team's 3-1 win over the Cleveland Guardians in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series. Baker had a breakout regular season for the Rays, pitching to a 1.44 ERA with 63 strikeouts and 41 saves across 62 1/3 innings. He's continued his excellent production in the playoffs, logging six strikeouts and five saves while allowing one hit, two walks, and zero earned runs across six innings (six games). Tampa Bay has a chance to advance to the World Series for the third time in franchise history with a win in Game 6 of the ALCS on Monday.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Bryan Baker Pitches Perfect Ninth For Fourth Save of Postseason
Tampa Bay Rays closer Bryan Baker was effective again in limiting the Cleveland Guardians in the ninth inning while picking up his fourth postseason save in Tuesday night's 3-1 victory in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series. The right-hander did not allow a hit or a walk in a three-up, three-down ninth inning with one strikeout. The Rays have to feel comfortable turning to Baker in save situations, as he has come through all regular season long and now into the postseason. The two-run lead was plenty enough for Baker to protect as he helped the Rays even the ALCS at 1-1.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Bryan Baker Notches Third Postseason Save to Send Rays to ALCS
Tampa Bay Rays closer Bryan Baker shut the door in his team's 4-3 win over the New York Yankees in Game 3 of the American League Division Series on Wednesday, pitching a scoreless ninth inning with two strikeouts. Baker was a key part of Tampa Bay's three-game sweep of New York, logging saves in all three games while allowing just one baserunner to reach. The 31-year-old emerged as one of the best closers in baseball during the regular season, recording a 1.44 ERA and 0.91 WHIP with 63 strikeouts and 41 saves across 62 1/3 innings (65 games). Heading into the American League Championship Series, Baker's dominance at the end of games gives Tampa Bay a significant advantage if it can get an early lead on its opponents.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Bryan Baker Pitches Flawless Ninth For The Save
Tampa Bay Rays closer Bryan Baker pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn his second save of the postseason in the team's 5-2 win over the New York Yankees on Monday night. Baker came on with a three-run lead and quickly induced three ground balls to preserve the Rays second win of the series for a 2-0 ALDS lead. Baker did not strike out a batter, but left little to doubt after he gave up three ground balls to the right side of the infield. Baker also pitched a scoreless ninth in the Rays' 1-0 win in Game 1 on Saturday. In that game he struck out two Yankees batters. Baker turned in a dominant regular season with 41 saves and a 1.44 ERA and 0.91 WHIP. The right-hander looks to be a major weapon moving forward for the Rays in the postseason.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Rays Calling Up Top Pitching Prospect Brody Hopkins
The Tampa Bay Rays are calling up right-handed pitching prospect Brody Hopkins to the big leagues from Triple-A Durham on Saturday, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Per MLB Pipeline, Hopkins, 24, is ranked as Tampa's No. 7 overall prospect and their top pitching prospect. The former sixth-round selection by the Seattle Mariners in 2023 from Winthrop University has gone 4-8 this year for the Bulls with a 5.17 ERA, 1.71 WHIP, and 122:92 K:BB in 94 innings across 31 appearances (19 starts). The numbers obviously do not look great on the surface, but Hopkins had been pitching great recently for Durham in a relief role, where he will likely continue in his first taste of the major leagues. Hopkins gets the call to Tampa after throwing six straight shutout innings out of the bullpen at Triple-A, and he will look to stay hot with the Rays. For fantasy purposes, Hopkins should be ignored in single-year formats with the regular season wrapping up at the end of September.
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
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
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
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
Brody Hopkins has Pitch Mix Necessary For Big-League Success
Tampa Bay Rays pitching prospect Brody Hopkins has had a solid season at Triple-A Durham and could be looking at a late season promotion. Hopkins, a right-hander, is 4-8 this season with a 4.93 ERA and 1.67 WHIP to go with 105 strikeouts in 84 innings. The 24-year-old has made 18 starts in 21 appearances this season and he has struggled a bit with his overall record, but his strikeout rate is encouraging. He is the No. 5 prospect in the Rays' system and possesses a 60-grade fastball and 60-grade curveball with two other 55-grade secondary pitches in his cutter and slider. Hopkins seems to have major league stuff and is just awaiting a promotion to Tampa Bay. The Rays have a deep rotation especially after trading for Freddy Peralta. But with Shane McClanahan on the IL, Hopkins could provide depth at the major league level and would be worth a waiver wire addition in that case.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Ian Seymour an Intriguing Waiver Pickup for Monday's Matchup
It's unclear if Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Ian Seymour will make many more starts this year after the club acquired right-handed starter Freddy Peralta from the New York Mets on Sunday, but Seymour has been solid in more of a traditional starting role of late and will face the Colorado Rockies at hitter-friendly Coors Field on Monday. The 27-year-old southpaw has only appeared as a traditional starter in seven of his 36 outings for the Rays in 2026 in his second year in the league, but six of those starts have come since the beginning of June. In six outings (four starts) in July, Seymour allowed 15 runs (14 earned) with eight walks, 38 strikeouts, and three wins for the Rays. The former second-rounder in 2020 from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is 7-3 in 2026 with a 4.37 ERA (4.02 FIP) and 1.12 WHIP with 90 strikeouts and 28 walks in 78 1/3 innings pitched. Seymour is attractive in deeper fantasy formats for his 27.9% strikeout rate. He'll be facing a Rockies team on Monday that ranks fifth in MLB in OPS, but also a team that is in the top 10 in strikeouts. Start Seymour at your own risk.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Griffin Jax Punches Out a Season-High 10 Batters in Loss to Rangers
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Griffin Jax may have taken a loss on Tuesday against the Texas Rangers, but the 31-year-old former reliever was still dominant for fantasy managers. Jax allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits while walking three and striking out a season-high 10 hitters in 5 2/3 innings pitched for his eighth loss of the year in the 4-1 defeat at Tropicana Field. The 31-year-old reliever turned starter is now sporting a 3.74 ERA and 1.23 WHIP with a 92:30 K:BB in his 86 2/3 innings pitched in his sixth major-league season (first full year in Tampa). Jax blew his first two save chances to open the 2026 campaign as the Rays' primary closing option, and Tampa eventually moved him to the starting rotation, where he's been more valuable in fantasy baseball. Since joining the rotation on April 26, Jax has gone 5-5 with a 3.38 ERA (3.83 FIP) with 72 strikeouts and 20 walks in 72 innings across 16 starts. He allowed a season-high seven earned runs in five innings against the Boston Red Sox on July 17, but since then, he's given up just two earned runs with two walks and 15 K's in two starts versus the Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ian Seymour a High-Upside Starting Pitching Target on the Waiver Wire
After opening 2026 as a reliever, Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Ian Seymour was moved into more of a bulk role in early June. While Seymour has not exclusively operated as a full-time starting pitcher, he's thrown at least three innings in each of his last 10 outings, making six starts in that span. Across those 10 appearances, Seymour has recorded a 3-2 record with a 4.22 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 53 strikeouts. The 27-year-old has posted an impressive 28.1% strikeout rate and a 19.3% K-BB rate for the season. His inflated ERA is a symptom of his abnormally low 66.5% strand rate, which could regress closer to the mean over a larger sample size of innings. Now that he's a threat to rack up wins on a regular basis, Seymour could be worth targeting on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ian Seymour Emerging as a Breakout Candidate to Target on the Waiver Wire
Across 64 2/3 innings (33 games) in 2026, Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Ian Seymour has recorded a 6-2 record with a 4.59 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 75 strikeouts. The 27-year-old opened the year in a traditional relief role, but he's been operating as a starter or bulk reliever since early June. Seymour has demonstrated intriguing swing-and-miss upside overall this season, posting a 27.8% strikeout rate. He's been even better since moving into his current role, recording a 30.9% strikeout rate over his last seven outings (33 2/3 innings). While Seymour's ERA is a bit elevated, he's been hurt by an abnormally low 66.2% strand rate. If the left-hander can do a better job of getting out of jams in the second half of the season, he could be a major value-add for fantasy managers to target on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Bryan Baker Is Now a High-End Fantasy Closer
Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Bryan Baker hit the break with 25 saves, a 1.73 ERA, and a 0.83 WHIP, then recorded the final out of the American League shutout in the July 14 All-Star Game. The spring committee talk feels ancient now. Baker is tied for second in the majors in saves, opponents are batting .150 against him, and Tampa Bay has no reason to touch the ninth inning. This is not just a hot run. His fastball is averaging 97.1 mph, his strikeout rate sits at 29.3%, and the changeup he now throws nearly as often as the heater has limited batters to a .137 average. The only reason to shop Baker is that his value may never be higher. Even that feels forced. He has the job, the stuff, and a first-place club creating chances. Treat him as a high-end closer for the second half.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
