Rays' Jonathan Aranda: Getting regular look in lineup
Rotowire
Aranda went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Friday against the Guardians.
Aranda has been in the lineup for seven of the Rays' last eight games, including five appearances at first base. In that limited sample, he's gone 7-for-25 with two homers, three RBI, three doubles and five runs scored. With Tampa Bay out of the playoff picture, the team could opt to continue giving Aranda run to evaluate him for a potentially expanded role in 2025.
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Rays' Jonathan Aranda: Swats second homer
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Aranda went 2-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Phillies.
The 26-year-old took Zack Wheeler deep in the sixth inning, briefly tying the game at 2-2 and giving Aranda his second homer of the season in 85 plate appearances. Aranda may be moving into a regular role for the Rays -- he's started five of the last six games, four at first base and one at second base, and gone 5-for-18 (.278) over that stretch with three doubles, a homer and a 3:4 BB:K. Tampa Bay has fallen seven games off the pace in the battle for the final wild-card spot in the AL with 16 games left to play, so the team is likely to continue giving a long look to unproven players like Aranda to evaluate their place in the franchise's future plans.
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Rays' Jonathan Aranda: Retreating to bench
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Aranda is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Phillies, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
The lefty-hitting Aranda had started in each of the Rays' last three games -- all against right-handed pitching -- going 2-for-11 with a double, a walk and two runs. He'll be on the bench Monday against a lefty (Cristopher Sanchez), but Aranda's opportunities to play against right-handed pitching could take a hit as soon as Brandon Lowe (finger) is able to return to the lineup. Lowe is on the bench Monday for a fourth straight game and remains day-to-day.
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Rays' Jonathan Aranda: Makes second start since promotion
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Aranda went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored Tuesday against the Twins.
Aranda was in the lineup at first base and made his second start in five games since being recalled. So long as the Rays' infield remains healthy, it appears that Aranda will struggle to get consistent playing time. He's gone 2-for-10 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored since being recalled.
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Rays' Jonathan Aranda: Rejoins big club
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The Rays recalled Aranda from Triple-A Durham on Friday, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.
The 26-year-old was activated off Durham's injured list last week after missing two months due to an oblique strain, and he's now returning to the big leagues. Aranda has seen action in 18 MLB games this season and has a .607 OPS in 52 plate appearances, though he's crushed the ball at Triple-A since returning from the injury, going 10-for-23 with four homers in six games.
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Rays' Jonathan Aranda: Heads to minor-league IL
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Triple-A Durham placed Aranda on its 7-day injured list Friday with an oblique strain, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Aranda is expected to miss 4-to-6 weeks while recovering from the oblique injury, meaning he can safely be ruled out through the All-Star break. The 26-year-old has struggled to a .189 average with three home runs, 10 RBI and 13 runs scored in 26 games with Durham this season.
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Rays' Jonathan Aranda: Sitting against lefty
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Aranda is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Athletics.
The lefty-hitting Aranda will hit the bench for the second day in a row, this time against a lefty (Hogan Harris) after he sat out against right-hander Joey Estes in Wednesday's 4-3 win. Aranda came off the bench Wednesday and delivered a pinch-hit RBI single, lifting his average up to .237 over 14 games on the season. Harold Ramirez will get another turn at designated hitter Thursday.
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Rays' Jonathan Aranda: Hits bench Saturday
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Aranda isn't in the Rays' lineup Saturday versus the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Aranda has gone 3-for-13 with three runs scored since coming off the injured list Tuesday, and he'll now get his first day off since returning. His absence will allow Harold Ramirez to serve as the Rays' designated hitter, batting third.
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Rays' Jonathan Aranda: Getting into rhythm
Rotowire
Aranda (finger) went 4-for-5 with a double, a walk, an RBI and two runs scored in a rehab appearance with Triple-A Durham on Tuesday.
Aranda has been on a rehab assignment since April 26 and went hitless in his first 19 at-bats. However, he's since seen some improved results, collecting at least one hit in three straight games. The Rays may let him continue to heat up with Durham, but Aranda should be back with the big-league club soon. He also should have the chance to get regular at-bats upon activation at a combination of second base, third base and designated hitter.
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Rays' Jonathan Aranda: Rehab assignment coming soon
Rotowire
Manager Kevin Cash said Aranda (finger) is expected to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham later this week, Steve Carney of StPeteNine.com reports.
Aranda had the pins removed from his surgically repaired right ring finger a week ago, and he looks to be nearing a return to game action. The 25-year-old has been sidelined for the past month, so he'll need a good number of rehab at-bats before being activated from the 10-day injured list. Aranda had been in line to serve as the Rays' primary designated hitter against right-handed pitching before getting hurt.
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Rays' Jonathan Aranda: Officially placed on injured list
Rotowire
The Rays placed Aranda (finger) on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.
Aranda is expected to be out until at least early May after having surgery March 21 to insert a pin in his fractured right ring finger. The 25-year-old had been slated to open the season as Tampa Bay's primary designated hitter against right-handed pitching, and he should eventually reclaim that role once healthy.
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Rays' Jonathan Aranda: IL-bound with fractured finger
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Aranda will begin the season on the injured list after being diagnosed Thursday with a fractured right ring finger, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. He's scheduled to have surgery to insert a pin into his finger and will likely miss 4-to-6 weeks, per Topkin.
Aranda suffered the injury while fielding a grounder Tuesday. The 25-year-old had been slated to open the season as Tampa Bay's primary designated hitter against right-handed pitching, but the injury will likely keep him out for at least all of April. In Aranda's stead, Curtis Mead, Harold Ramirez and Amed Rosario could benefit from some added opportunities against right-handed pitching early on in the season.
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Rays' Jonathan Aranda: Locking up roster spot
Rotowire
Aranda has maintained a 1.124 OPS across 29 plate appearances in the Grapefruit League.
Aranda entered spring as a strong candidate to earn a large-side platoon role at DH. He's done everything in his power to lock up those plate appearances, as he's struck out just 6.9 percent of the time while clubbing five extra-base hits. While it's not yet clear if Aranda will be a regular part of the Rays' lineup, he appears to be a safe bet to crack the Opening Day roster.
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Rays' Jonathan Aranda: Could DH versus righties
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Aranda could be in line to serve in a strong-side platoon at designated hitter for the Rays, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.
It sounds as if Aranda is the top candidate to step into the role vacated by Luke Raley as the DH versus righties and occasional first baseman. A trade of Harold Ramirez, which seems likely, could further clarify Aranda's role. Aranda has posted just a .656 OPS over 190 plate appearances during his limited chances at the major-league level, but the 25-year-old sports a .328/.421/.565 batting line with 43 home runs over the last two seasons at Triple-A Durham. Even if the left-handed batter sits regularly against southpaws, he boasts big fantasy potential.
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Rays' Jonathan Aranda: Triples in win
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Aranda went 1-for-2 with a triple, three walks, an RBI and two runs scored in Tuesday's 8-6 win over the Red Sox.
Aranda got the scoring started in the second inning after Wilyer Abreu lost a flyball in the Tropicana Field catwalks, resulting in an RBI triple. The 25-year-old Aranda, who got the start at DH, would reach base three more times via walks in the contest, scoring a pair of runs. Aranda's playing time's been sparse since he was called up Aug. 15. He's gone 5-for-22 (.227) with one home run in that span. He did post eye-popping numbers in the minors, however, batting .339 with 25 homers and a 1.063 OPS across 95 Triple-A games.
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Rays' Jonathan Aranda: Rejoins big club
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Aranda was recalled from Triple-A Durham on Tuesday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.
Aranda has played in just four games across his two stints in the majors this season, going 3-for-15 with a double, two RBI and two runs. Manuel Margot (elbow) was placed on the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move.
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Rays' Jonathan Aranda: Optioned to Triple-A
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Aranda was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Monday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.
Aranda will return to Durham after getting called up Thursday, going 2-for-7 with a run scored while appearing in two games of the Rays' series with Kansas City. With Yandy Diaz returning from the paternity list Monday, Tampa Bay no longer needed Aranda on the big-league roster.
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Rays' Jonathan Aranda: Heads back to minors
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Aranda was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Tuesday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.
He was up with the Rays for two days while Josh Lowe was on the family medical emergency list, but he'll now head back to Durham with Lowe back in the fold. Aranda has crushed Triple-A pitching again this season, but it hasn't led to much of an opportunity in the majors.
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Rays' Jonathan Aranda: Called up, starting Saturday
Rotowire
Aranda was recalled by the Rays on Saturday and will bat seventh as the designated hitter against Atlanta, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Aranda was recalled to take the place of Josh Lowe, who landed on the bereavement list. Aranda struggled to a .192/.276/.321 line in his 32-game debut last year but has hit .342/.455/.589 with 16 homers in 71 games for Triple-A Durham this season.
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Rays' Jonathan Aranda: Sitting Sunday
Rotowire
Aranda is not in Sunday's lineup against the Blue Jays.
Aranda has been playing regularly over the last week, hitting .125 with a .276 OBP and one home run in 24 at-bats over that stretch. Taylor Walls is starting at second base and hitting ninth.
