The Rays exercised Lowe's $10 million club option for 2025 on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
It's possible the Rays will look to trade Lowe as his salary escalates, but picking up the option was a fairly easy call. They also have an $11.5 million club option for 2026. Lowe slashed .244/.311/.473 with 21 home runs over 425 plate appearances for Tampa Bay this season.
Lowe is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against Boston, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Lowe will sit for the Rays' regular-season finale as Dylan Carlson serves as the designated hitter and bats seventh. Unless he pinch hits Sunday, Lowe will end the 2024 regular season with a .244/.311/.473 slash line, 21 home runs and 58 RBI across 425 plate appearances.
Lowe went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and two runs scored Sunday against the Blue Jays.
Lowe has had an all-or-nothing approach at the plate, as he smacked his fourth homer in his last 13 games Sunday. On the other hand, he also has a 29.2 percent strikeout rate in that span -- including three games with multiple strikeouts. Overall, Lowe has managed to record 20 home runs for the second consecutive season despite appearing in only 102 games.
Lowe went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run Tuesday against the Red Sox.
Despite missing time with a finger injury, Lowe has homered three times in his last eight games. He needs one more long ball to reach 20 for the second consecutive season, and his .238 ISO is his highest mark since 2021.
Lowe went 1-for-5 with a solo home run Thursday against the Guardians.
Lowe blasted his home run in the first inning, bringing his total on the season to 18. He failed to go yard for a 15-game stretch between Aug. 19 and Sept. 5, but he has now homered twice in his last five appearances despite dealing with inflammation of his middle finger. Lowe has only 367 plate appearances but is closing in on his second consecutive 20-homer campaign.
Lowe went 1-for-3 with a triple and a walk Wednesday against the Phillies.
Lowe was out of the lineup for five straight games due to a finger injury but returned to hit second and serve as the designated hitter Wednesday. He should serve in a large-side platoon role at second base so long as he is fully healthy.
