PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- Two weeks from now, the Rays will take the field at Busch Stadium in St. Louis to begin the 2026 season.
That sounds soon, but there is still much to be determined over the final days of Spring Training. The Rays came into camp expecting more competition than most springs, and they’ve got to sort through their options in the outfield, in the bullpen and beyond.
So, what could the club look like on Opening Day? Here’s our guess after more than a month of seeing the team in Spring Training.
Catcher (2): Nick Fortes, Hunter Feduccia
The Rays brought in these two before last year’s Trade Deadline and seem content to start the season with them behind the plate. They’re happy with what both provide defensively, and they’re expecting more from Feduccia’s bat against right-handed pitching.
First baseman (1): Jonathan Aranda
Aranda has been away for the World Baseball Classic, showing an international audience what a talented hitter he is. Count on him getting most of the starts at first base this season.
Second base (1): Gavin Lux
Lux didn’t make his spring debut until Tuesday due to what the team called “general soreness,” but he’s back in the mix now. As long as he keeps moving in the right direction, he’ll be the guy at second base (against right-handers) to start the season.
Shortstop (1): Taylor Walls
Walls won’t necessarily play every day, but he’ll play most days. He’s learned to embrace his strengths at the plate, and the real value here is his elite defense. Top prospect (No. 63 overall) Carson Williams has had a good spring, so perhaps he’ll be an option soon.
Third baseman (1): Junior Caminero
Caminero looked great early in Spring Training, and he’s been crushing baseballs ever since he left to join the Dominican Republic for the WBC. How will he build on his breakout season?
Outfielders (4): Chandler Simpson, Cedric Mullins, Jake Fraley, Jonny DeLuca
It seems likely that Simpson will be the regular left fielder, Mullins will get most of the work in center and Fraley will hold down right field against right-handed pitchers. The question is whether super-athletic No. 4 prospect Jacob Melton has shown enough to crack the club and, if he does, what kind of role he would play. But DeLuca is a natural complement to this group as an excellent defender at all three spots who bats right-handed. Justyn-Henry Malloy would be another right-handed-hitting option, but DeLuca’s defense gives him the edge.
DH (1): Yandy Díaz
As long as he makes a healthy return from some left hand soreness that has kept him off the field, he’ll be the regular DH and leadoff hitter. For what it’s worth, he was locked in at the plate in the early going.
Bench/utility (2): Ben Williamson, Ryan Vilade
These two just make sense on this roster. Williamson is a smooth-fielding infielder who has quickly improved at shortstop and second base this spring, and he can also handle third on Caminero’s rare days off. As a right-handed hitter, he’s a perfect platoon partner for Lux. Vilade is out of Minor League options, but he also fits the roster well as a right-handed hitter who can play the outfield corners, second base and first. The toughest omission here is Richie Palacios, who plays all over the field, runs well and works tough at-bats from the left side.
Starting pitchers (5): Drew Rasmussen, Ryan Pepiot, Steven Matz, Nick Martinez, Shane McClanahan
Nothing that’s taken place over the past month has changed this projection, although we now have a little more clarity on the order.
Rasmussen will make his first career Opening Day start, and McClanahan is lined up to pitch at the back end, with his season debut set for March 31 in Milwaukee. That should help the Rays manage McClanahan’s workload, although innings will also be somewhat of a concern for Rasmussen and Matz.
Relief pitchers (8): Griffin Jax, Garrett Cleavinger, Bryan Baker, Hunter Bigge Cole Sulser, Yoendrys Gómez, Mason Englert, Ian Seymour
Even with Edwin Uceta injured, there are many tough decisions to make here. Jax, Cleavinger and Baker will likely handle most of the high-leverage duty until Uceta returns. Bigge and Sulser could be options to pitch an inning or two at a time. Gómez (who is out of options), Englert and Seymour would give the Rays three traditional long relievers, and they would be part of Tampa Bay’s rotation depth, assuming they stay stretched out with longer outings. Kevin Kelly would be another right-handed candidate, and if they opt for a second lefty, keep an eye on non-roster invitee Cam Booser. There are other multi-inning options, too, including right-hander Joe Boyle.
Injured list (3): Manuel Rodriguez, Edwin Uceta, Steven Wilson
Uceta’s timeline is unclear, but it seems unlikely that he’ll be ready for Opening Day at this point as he returns from a right shoulder issue that disrupted his spring. Wilson (back) could be available early in the season. Rodríguez (right forearm/elbow) isn’t expected back until midseason.