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July 26: 1B Yandy Díaz reinstated from restricted list
Díaz did not travel with the team to New York last week while attending to a family matter, and he was not with the club throughout its road trip to Yankee Stadium and Rogers Centre in Toronto. The Rays played short-handed on July 19, but they addressed the situation before last Saturday afternoon’s game by recalling infielder Curtis Mead from Triple-A Durham and placing Díaz on the restricted list.

Díaz‘s placement on the restricted list was not considered punitive, although he said it was "a little bit of a surprise" to him, and he remained in daily communication with the club during his absence. He took the roster spot that became open when Randy Arozarena was traded to the Mariners.

Díaz rejoined the club for Friday night's series opener against the Reds at Tropicana Field, batting leadoff and playing first base. He declined to provide specifics on the issue that kept him away from the team, saying only, "There was just a problem with the family, so that was where I was at. ... I'd rather not talk about it. Now, I'm here just to focus on baseball." Díaz said the family matter would not be an issue moving forward.

"I am happy to have him back," manager Kevin Cash said. "I'm happy that he's back. Feels like the situation is better."

July 26: RHP Cole Sulser acquired from the Mets for cash considerations, optioned to Triple-A Durham
With some flexibility on their 40-man roster, the Rays picked up a familiar face in Sulser, who pitched for them in 2019 and spent time with Triple-A Durham last year. He was sent immediately to Triple-A, where he can provide depth. The Rays still have two open spots on their 40-man roster.

The right-hander has been in the Mets organization this year, posting a 1.48 ERA and 1.05 WHIP with 34 strikeouts in 30 1/3 innings over 24 appearances for Triple-A Syracuse. He had a 9.64 ERA in four relief appearances for the Mets' big league club this year. The Mets designated him for assignment on Monday.

July 26: Recalled RHP Tyler Zuber from Triple-A Durham
The Rays summoned Zuber from Triple-A, adding an arm to their pitching staff after trading Zach Eflin to the Orioles. Zuber joined the Rays briefly in New York last weekend, taking starter Ryan Pepiot's spot on the roster then going back down to make room for lefty Tyler Alexander. Zuber made his first big league appearance since 2021 against the Yankees during Monday's series finale at Yankee Stadium, giving up a run on two hits over 1 1/3 innings.

July 26: Traded RHP Zach Eflin and cash considerations to the Orioles for three prospects
Eflin was considered one of the Rays' top trade candidates heading into this year's Trade Deadline, and sure enough, he was shipped out to Baltimore on Friday afternoon. In return, the Rays received three prospects they hold in high regard: infielder Mac Horvath, right-hander Jackson Baumeister and outfielder Matthew Erzel. Jeffrey Springs is expected to take Eflin's spot in Tampa Bay's starting rotation. Read more >>

July 26: Traded OF Randy Arozarena to the Mariners for Minor League OF Aidan Smith, Minor League RHP Brody Hopkins and a player to be named later
The Rays traded their star outfielder to Seattle for a pair of Single-A prospects and a player to be named later, a clear sign of their intention to prioritize the future at this year's Trade Deadline. The club announced the deal at 1:20 a.m. ET on Friday, just after they got off the team plane following their flight home from a series victory in Toronto. The Rays will lean on Richie Palacios and Jonny DeLuca in left field in Arozarena's absence. Read more >>

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10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST

RHP Ryan Pepiot (right knee infection)
Expected return: Early August
Pepiot, who is 6-5 with a 3.92 ERA in 17 starts for the Rays, will miss at least the minimum 15 days due to a knee infection that emerged at the end of the All-Star break and required a stay in the hospital in New York to receive antibiotics and IV fluids. It's not clear how Pepiot sustained the injury, but manager Kevin Cash said he was "doing much better" and moving around well after being discharged from the hospital on July 22 and flying home to St. Petersburg. Pepiot hopes to throw off a mound either July 27 or early the week of July 29. (Last updated: July 26)

LHP Richard Lovelady (left forearm flexor strain)
Expected return: Possibly early August
Lovelady, who was acquired from the Cubs in May, was placed on the 15-day injured list on June 8 with a left forearm flexor strain one day after pitching a scoreless inning against the Orioles. The lefty reliever said he felt "a little tightness right below my bicep" on a 2-2 fastball during that inning but managed to get out of the inning by throwing two more sliders. He said he wasn't overly worried or concerned about the injury, had never felt it before and hasn't dealt with a similar issue in the past.

Lovelady started a rehab assignment on July 8 with the Rookie-level FCL Rays, giving up four runs on three hits and a walk while recording two outs, including one strikeout. He was scheduled to pitch for Triple-A Durham on July 26, marking his first back-to-back appearances during his rehab assignment. For the season, Lovelady is 2-4 with a 7.62 ERA in 15 games -- including a 2-3 mark with a 7.36 ERA in eight games for the Rays. (Last updated: July 26)

60-DAY INJURED LIST

RHP Drew Rasmussen (right flexor strain)
Expected return: Possibly August
Rasmussen began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham on July 21 by working a perfect 15-pitch first inning (11 strikes) with one strikeout and touching 98.8 mph with his fastball. Manager Kevin Cash called it a "huge step in the right direction" for Rasmussen, who is still likely to return during the final two months of the regular season. Rasmussen pitched another scoreless inning on July 24, giving up a hit while striking out one and throwing 11 of his 16 pitches for strikes. His fastball topped out at 98.3 mph in his second appearance.

Rasmussen is scheduled to pitch two innings for Durham on July 27. He is building up more like a multi-inning reliever, with shorter appearances on less rest, which should allow him to return to the big leagues quicker. During his recovery, Rasmussen said he has made some changes to limit the stress on his elbow without making significant changes to his arsenal. He noted he will take his rehab stint "outing by outing" as he regains his stamina on the mound.

Rasmussen went on the IL a day after tossing seven scoreless innings on May 11, 2023, in the Rays' 8-2 victory at Yankee Stadium. Cash announced last July 8 that Rasmussen was slated for a season-ending hybrid internal brace procedure, which he underwent last July 24. Rasmussen previously had two Tommy John surgeries. He was placed on the 60-day IL on Feb. 20. (Last updated: July 26)

LHP Jeffrey Springs (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: Late July/early August
Springs made his eighth rehab start with Triple-A Durham on July 20, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out three over three innings. His outing was cut short after 48 pitches due to a rain delay, but he bounced back with a five-inning, 82-pitch start for Durham on July 25. Springs allowed three runs on four hits and a walk while striking out four in that outing, which should mark the end of his rehab assignment.

Springs will throw a bullpen session on July 28, setting him up to start for the Rays on Tuesday or Wednesday, taking Zach Eflin's spot in the big league rotation. Springs underwent Tommy John surgery on April 24, 2023, and he was placed on the 60-day injured list on March 15. (Last updated: July 26)

LHP Shane McClanahan (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: Likely 2025
McClanahan has ramped up to throwing from 135 feet. Manager Kevin Cash said on July 26 that McClanahan, who is still unlikely to pitch this season, had resumed his long-toss program following a built-in rest period in his rehab. The left-hander underwent Tommy John surgery on Aug. 21, 2023, his second time having the procedure.

McClanahan is expected to miss the entire 2024 season, although the two-year contract he signed with the Rays in January to avoid arbitration included escalators for his 2025 to account for the possibility of a late-season return in ’24, if his rehab allows for it. He was officially placed on the 60-day IL on Feb. 14. (Last updated: July 26)

RHP Jacob Waguespack (right rotator cuff inflammation)
Expected return: TBD
Waguespack was moved to the 60-day IL on May 18. He sustained a right shoulder injury during his last outing for Triple-A Durham that wasn't expected to require a significant stint on the shelf, but the Rays gained some flexibility by recalling him and placing him on the 15-day IL on May 6. Waguespack retired all four batters he faced, striking out three of them, in a start for the Rookie-level Florida Complex League Rays on June 25. He was then shut down with a lower back issue, with no timeframe for his return provided, although he had resumed a long-toss progression as of July 26 and could throw a bullpen session the week of July 29. (Last updated: July 26)

LHP Brendan McKay (left elbow; Minor League injured list)
Expected return: Possibly late 2024
McKay, who began the season with Double-A Montgomery, reported left elbow discomfort on May 3 after being promoted to Triple-A Durham and was placed on the Minor League 60-day IL on May 11. He told the club the issue began after his April 30 outing with Montgomery.

A former top prospect who has been set back by a series of arm injuries since debuting for the Rays in 2019, McKay was diagnosed with a flexor/pronator strain and an accompanying UCL sprain after having an MRI exam reviewed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache. Doctors recommended five to six weeks of rehab, with no throwing, before he builds back up to full activity. The Rays' expectation is that McKay will be back to full baseball activity in three months. (Last updated: May 14)

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