Chandler Simpson getting a breather on Friday

DeLuca has started four straight games and appears to have emerged as a regular starter in center field or right field. Since coming off the injured list earlier in June, he has gone 5-for-18 (.278) with two doubles, two home runs, four RBI, and one steal in six games. He’s slashing .270/.301/.453 in 47 games for the Rays this season and is an option in deeper formats even though he will sit one or two games a week. Victor Mesa Jr. will start in right field and bat eighth on Thursday.

Simpson went without a steal from May 11 through June 19, but he’s now stolen a base in back-to-back games. His fantasy profile, which includes zero power or RBI upside, relies on him running at a higher clip than other top base-stealers to make up for it. He was removed from the leadoff role against righties toward the beginning of June, but he could reclaim it if he gets hot on the bases.

Simpson is now hitting .259 after batting .295 as a rookie in 2025. Worse, he hasn’t stolen a base since May 11. A minor leg injury around that time could be a contributing factor, but he’s well off the fantasy radar if he isn’t running. Simpson remains without a home run through 715 big-league plate appearances, and he has just one since turning pro, which was of the inside-the-park variety as a minor leaguer.

Simpson takes a seat with lefty-masher Ryan Vilade getting the nod to face southpaw Eric Lauer, who gets the ball for Los Angeles to kick off a three-game series at Dodger Stadium. The 25-year-old speedster has started just four of six games since missing time last week with a lingering thumb issue.

Junior Caminero homered to start the scoring in a five-run eighth, and Mesa went on to finish it, making it an 8-3 game with the second homer of the inning off Sam Bachman. Mesa is at .200/.319/.350 in 48 plate appearances since being called up on May 24. He’ll probably wind up back in Triple-A at some point,

Yandy Díaz is leading off for a seventh straight game. It’s the first time in six days that the Rays have faced a righty. Simpson was mostly leading off against righties before getting hurt last weekend and missing a few games. In three games versus lefties since, he hit third Tuesday, didn’t start Wednesday and batted seventh on Friday. As for Mullins, it’s his first time hitting in the top third of the order since May 2 and just the fourth time he’s done so this season. Mullins, who is batting in between Jonathan Aranda and Junior Caminero tonight, is hitting .200/.355/.560 with three homers in nine games this month.

Simpson returned on Tuesday after missing three days off and went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. His lingering thumb injury may be why he’s being held out of the lineup on Wednesday, but the Red Sox are also throwing yet another left-handed pitcher. Austin Slater will make his third straight start in the outfield, and Ryan Vilade will make his fourth straight start, batting cleanup and playing left field.

Simpson looked a bit rusty following a three-game layoff due to a lingering thumb issue. The 25-year-old speedster managed to avoid a potential trip to the injured list and shouldn’t require any additional time off.

Simpson missed three straight games while dealing with a thumb bruise, but the 25-year-old is back in the middle of the lineup against southpaw Payton Tolle and the Boston bullpen.

Rays manager Kevin Cash told reporters Simpson will receive another full day off to address a lingering thumb bruise that he’s been dealing with since last week. The 25-year-old speedster is available off the bench. The hope is that the additional rest puts the ailment to bed. Austin Slater gets the nod in left field to face Red Sox lefty Connelly Early on Monday night with Simpson missing his third straight game.