Player News

• Rays' Jonny DeLuca: Remains projected center fielder

  6D ago • By RotoWire

  DeLuca is expected to be the Rays' primary center fielder to begin the regular season, John Romano of the Tampa Bay Times reports. DeLuca produced only a .609 OPS across 362 plate appearances with the Rays in 2024, but he seemingly inherited the center field role after Jose Siri was dealt in the offseason. He hasn't fared any better across 29 plate appearances in Grapefruit League games, as he has yet to tally an extra-base hit while collecting only five hits across 26 at-bats. DeLuca's defensive ability will still be enough for him to begin the season as a regular, though he'll presumably need to be more productive at the plate to maintain that status.

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• Rays' Jonny DeLuca: Likely to get first shot in CF

  02/06/2025 • By RotoWire

  DeLuca is projected to begin the 2025 season as the Rays' center fielder, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports. The Rays traded Jose Siri to the Mets during the offseason, creating an opening in center field. DeLuca is expected to fill that void thanks primarily to his defensive ability, though he'll likely need to perform better at the plate to maintain regular at-bats throughout the campaign. He posted just a 77 wRC+ across 362 big-league plate appearances in 2024, and Richie Palacios can also handle center field duties.

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• Rays' Jonny DeLuca: Not starting Saturday

  09/28/2024 • By RotoWire

  DeLuca isn't in Tampa Bay's lineup Saturday versus Boston, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. After going 1-for-4 during a win in Friday's series opener, DeLuca will take a seat Saturday while Christopher Morel, Jose Siri and Josh Lowe start across the outfield.

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• Rays' Jonny DeLuca: Taking seat Thursday

  09/26/2024 • By RotoWire

  DeLuca is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Tigers. He'll give way to Jose Siri in center field for the series finale. DeLuca had started in each of the Rays' last three games while going 3-for-9 with a walk.

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• Rays' Jonny DeLuca: Absent from starting nine

  09/21/2024 • By RotoWire

  DeLuca is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Blue Jays. DeLuca's playing time continues to trend downward, as the outfielder hits the bench for the fourth time in eight games. Once again, Jose Siri will man center field Saturday. In September, DeLuca is 16-for-54 (.296) with two homers and three stolen bases.

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