Tampa Bay Rays

Gavin Lux

LF

Cash said that Lux will play a few games in a row to "see how it goes" before the team decides whether he's ready for activation from the 10-day injured list. Lux is eligible to return at any time, so he should be ready for his season debut at some point next week if all goes well. The 28-year-old is poised to operate as Tampa Bay's primary second baseman.

Edwin Uceta

RP

Another session is on tap for Uceta on Tuesday, and the hope is that a minor-league rehab assignment will be on the horizon shortly thereafter. The right-hander was in contention to begin the season as one of Tampa Bay's closer options, and it sounds like Uceta has a chance to return from right shoulder soreness and make his season debut by late April. It's worth noting that Griffin Jax has already blown two saves in as many appearances to start the year.

Ryan Pepiot

SP

Pepiot was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with right hip inflammation, an injury that wasn't previously disclosed. He was examined by a doctor Wednesday and got a favorable result. Pepiot is not with the Rays on their season-opening road trip, but he should rejoin their rotation during their first home stand, perhaps as soon as April 6 when he's first eligible to be activated. Joe Boyle is occupying a spot in Tampa Bay's rotation while Pepiot is out.

Steven Wilson

RP

Wilson's back issue cropped up following his second bullpen session of spring training and prompted the Rays to shut him down. The righty reliever is still waiting for the injection to take full effect, but assuming it alleviates the lingering pain in his back, he should initiate a throwing program in the coming days. Once healthy, Wilson is likely to fill a middle-innings role for Tampa Bay, who acquired him in November after he turned in a 3.42 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 51:22 K:BB over 55.1 innings out of the White Sox bullpen in 2025.

Taylor Walls

SS

The 29-year-old sustained the injury earlier this week and will begin the season on the injured list. It wouldn't be surprising if Walls is sidelined beyond that 3-for-4-week minimum given the nature of oblique injuries. Top prospect Carson Williams is expected to step in at shortstop for the Rays and may not cede the job back to Walls, who had a .584 OPS since making his MLB debut in 2021.

Austin Vernon

RP

Vernon, who's a non-roster invitee with Tampa Bay, hasn't pitching in spring training and is likely be sidelined for "some time," according to manager Kevin Cash. The 27-year-old right-hander was likely to open the new season in the minor leagues before getting injured, and he posted a 3.72 ERA and 1.19 WHIP over 19.1 innings for Triple-A Durham a year ago.

John Rooney

RP

Rooney elected free agency earlier this month after being removed from the Astros' 40-man roster, and he's quickly landed in a new organization. The lefty reliever had elbow surgery in September, though the specific nature of the procedure and a recovery timeline aren't clear. Rooney made one appearance for Houston but spent most of 2025 at the Triple-A level, holding a 2.56 ERA and 55:24 K:BB over 38.2 frames.

Logan Driscoll

C

Driscoll appeared in 15 games for the Rays last season and slashed an unforgettable .171/.189/.257 with one home run, five RBI, two runs scored and a 1:6 BB:K across 37 plate appearances. Driscoll rolled his ankle during spring training and hasn't played in 2025.

Manuel Rodriguez

RP

An earlier report indicated Rodriguez will need Tommy John surgery, and while that remains a possibility, the full extent of the reliever's procedure won't be determined until the flexor tendon repair takes place. While Rodriguez is almost certain to miss the remainder of the 2025 campaign regardless, he could pitch in 2026 if Tommy John surgery is not needed. If Rodriguez is indeed done for the current campaign, he'll finish with a 2.08 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 25:6 K:BB over 30.1 innings spanning 31 appearances while notching 12 holds.