Player News

• Rays' Yandy Diaz: Club option for 2026 exercised

  12D ago • By RotoWire

  The Rays exercised Diaz's $12 million option for 2026 and added a vesting option for 2027 on Friday, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports. Diaz's option for 2027 would vest if he reaches certain performance thresholds in 2026. The 33-year-old's performance in 2024 fell off a bit compared to his 2023 and 2022 seasons, but he still slashed .281/.341/.414 with 14 home runs in 2024 and boasts a career .373 on-base percentage. Diaz is slated to serve as the Rays' primary first baseman again in 2025, and he should also see ample starts at designated hitter.

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• Rays' Yandy Diaz: Could drop down order

  16D ago • By RotoWire

  The Rays are considering removing Diaz from the leadoff spot for the 2025 season, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Diaz has spent the vast majority of the last three seasons occupying the leadoff spot in the Rays' lineup, a logical choice given his .383 on-base percentage in that span. However, the Rays are looking for ways to jumpstart their offense in 2025, which includes moving Diaz down the order to give him more opportunities to drive in runs. Despite the report, Diaz has hit from the top spot in the order in all but one of the games he has started this spring.

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• Rays' Yandy Diaz: Sitting again Thursday

  09/26/2024 • By RotoWire

  Diaz is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Tigers. The Rays haven't indicated that Diaz is dealing with an injury, and despite being one of the team's more productive hitters this season, he'll be on the bench for the third time in four games Thursday. With Diaz's playing time having been scaled back lately, Jonathan Aranda has taken over as the Rays' everyday first baseman, and manager Kevin Cash has rotated a number of different players at the designated-hitter spot.

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• Rays' Yandy Diaz: Out of Tampa Bay lineup

  09/25/2024 • By RotoWire

  Diaz is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest in Detroit. For the second time over the last three games, Diaz will exit the lineup as he continues to see his playing time dip this month. Jonathan Aranda is getting another start at first base for the Rays while Brandon Lowe handles designated-hitter duties.

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• Rays' Yandy Diaz: Not in Tampa Bay lineup

  09/22/2024 • By RotoWire

  Diaz is absent from the lineup for Sunday's game versus the Blue Jays. Brandon Lowe is getting a start in the designated-hitter spot in this one, while Jonathan Aranda will cover first base. Diaz's playing time has slipped a bit this month, as this is the sixth time he's been out of the Rays' lineup.

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