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Rays Reportedly Set To Active Relief Pitcher From Injured List

The Tampa Bay Rays bullpen is going to get a familiar face against the Baltimore Orioles.
Kenneth Teape|
Sep 26, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; The hat and glove of Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero (13) in the dugout during the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Sep 26, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; The hat and glove of Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero (13) in the dugout during the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

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Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays have been shaking up their pitching staff a lot in the last few weeks, with several key players landing on the injured list.

Relief pitcher Cole Sulser and starting pitchers Shane McClanahan and Griffin Jax all hit the sidelines with ailments. McClanahan is already back in the mix, while Jax is nearing a return and Sulser remains sidelined with a back ailment.

It will be interesting to see what move is made to activate Jax when he is ready, because there is another pitcher coming off the injured list who has yet to take the mound this season. According to Tom Krasniqi of 97.5 WDAE on X, the team is set to activate relief pitcher Manny Rodriguez this weekend against the Baltimore Orioles.

Erik Neander was on the radio show and shared the news about the right-handed hurler who has yet to appear in an MLB game this season after undergoing surgery last year. Rodriguez is on his way to Baltimore and will be joining the team there.

Rays planning to activate Manuel Rodriguez

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Manuel Rodriguez (39) throws a pitch.
May 20, 2025; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Manuel Rodriguez (39) throws a pitch during the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

With his rehab window closing after the maximum of 30 days, the team had to make a decision on what to do with him. Despite some struggles during his rehab with Triple-A Durham, the Rays have decided he will be a part of the Big League bullpen.

Rodriguez pitched 10 times, making one appearance at the Florida Complex League, one with Single-A Charleston and eight with Triple-A Durham. Overall, he had a 9.00 ERA across eight innings of work with 14 strikeouts.

That certainly isn’t the kind of production the team would have liked to see during his rehab assignment, but he has had a strong track record with Tampa Bay the last two years. He has seen his role grow, and rightfully so, with how he performed.

In 71 career appearances with the Rays, Rodriguez has a 2.12 ERA across 68 innings of work with 59 strikeouts. He has a strong ERA+ of 193 and a FIP of 3.39, becoming a trusted arm for manager Kevin Cash to turn to.

He will likely be eased into a role, especially with how much he struggled during his rehab assignment, but he is capable of being a difference-maker for the team down the stretch.

Rodriguez will help build the bridge to star closer Bryan Baker, who has turned into one of the best late-game pitchers in baseball this season.

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Kenneth Teape
KENNETH TEAPE

Kenneth Teape is an alumnus of SUNY Old Westbury and graduated in 2013 with an Honors Degree in Media Communications with a focus on print journalism. During his time at Old Westbury, he worked for the school newspaper and several online publications, such as Knicks Now, the official website of the New York Knicks, and a self-made website with fellow students, Gotham City Sports News. Kenneth has also been a site expert at Empire Writes Back, Musket Fire, and Lake Show Life within the FanSided Network. He was a contributor to HoopsHabit, with work featured on Bleacher Report and Yardbarker. Previously, he is a reporter for both NBA Analysis Network and NFL Analysis Network, as well as a writer and editor for Packers Coverage. You can follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @teapester725, or reach him via email at teapester725@gmail.com.

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