HOUSTON -- Mason Englert’s 2026 campaign has been full of movement.
The 26-year-old righty has rotated between a Tampa Bay and Triple-A Durham uniform a couple of times -- and had a short stint on the injured list -- after making the Rays' Opening Day roster.
On Sunday, the Rays once again called upon the right-hander to start the series finale against the Astros at Daikin Park.
“He flew in last night, and he was ready to go,” Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said following the 2-0 loss. “Showed it when he got on the mound.”
It was just Englert’s fourth career Major League start and second of the season.
“Having come out of the 'pen for so many years, you kind of lose the need for routine,” Englert said about the quick call-up. “Just trust to flip the switch whenever the time is called. Just stay ready and trust your abilities.”
The move allowed the Rays, who don’t have a day off until the All-Star break, to give their rotation some extra rest.
“We figured this was the one that made the most sense,” Rays pitching coach Kyle Snyder said prior to the game. “Rather than going to the bullpen one game in this stretch of games without an off-day, it was something that we prioritized.”
Englert not only answered the team’s needs but pitched effectively, holding a potent Astros lineup at bay for most of the game and giving the Rays a chance to win.
The 6-foot-4 righty set the tone early by striking out four of the first seven batters he faced and not allowing a hit until the fourth inning. Englert went on to fan a career-high nine batters in his outing.
“He was outstanding,” Cash said. “Really appreciate his efforts. Mixed through that lineup really well. Had all the pitches going; a lot of strikes. Gave him some lengthier at-bats at times but felt like he had an answer besides the two solo homers he gave up.”
Englert utilized a variety of pitches to quiet Houston's lineup, leaning on his changeup and fastball to register 10 of his 16 generated swing and misses, according to Statcast.
The changeup proved to be his most effective knockout punch, with four strikeouts coming on that pitch.
“Mixing really well,” Cash said. “Getting ahead of hitters and then mixing. He had the changeup, the cutter, the big curveball. Just kept them off balance quite a bit.”
The 2018 fourth-round Draft pick surrendered just two runs -- solo homers -- on five hits, striking out nine and walking one in a career-high 5 2/3 frames.
Because of Englert, the Rays only had to use two other pitchers -- Cam Booser and Craig Kimbrel -- giving their relievers and starters a much-needed reprieve with seven games in seven days leading into the All-Star break.
“You can come up and serve the team and do a job of covering innings in a meaningful way to help the guys stay fresh,” Englert said. “It means a lot whenever they can have fresh arms and good starts down the stretch.
“It’s a job to take pride in. It’s kind of like doing a dirty job, not a lot of glory in it, but it’s also super fulfilling to help these guys out.”
With the American League East-rival Yankees coming to town for a four-game series starting Monday and the Mariners looming beyond that, Englert’s performance came at just the right time.
“It’s huge," Cash said. "We’re in a better spot heading into our homestand because of the performance that he just had.”