Rays outright Steven Wilson to Triple-A Durham

Wilson has been shelved since spring training due to lumbar disc inflammation in his back. He has made nine appearances in the minor leagues as he has rehabbed, posting a 1.80 ERA, 0.70 WHIP and a 7/4 K/BB ratio over 10 innings of work. If he’s healthy, there should be teams interested in taking a shot on him as he has proven to be a viable bullpen arm at the game’s highest level.

We knew Wilson wasn’t going to be ready for Opening Day, but now it seems that he might not be ready until June.

Wilson was acquired from the White Sox back in November, but it looks like his debut with his new team is going to be delayed as he deals with “back issues.” There is currently no timeline for his return to the mound.

As of now, it doesn’t sound like anything serious, but the Rays want to take their time and make sure that he heals properly now so that the issue doesn’t linger into the regular season — especially since Wilson dealt with similar issues throughout the 2025 campaign. The 31-year-old right-hander still has plenty of time to get himself ready before Opening Day.

The Rays traded for Wilson back in November. The 31-year-old has posted a 3.86 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 195/95 K/BB ratio across 196 innings over the last four seasons. He has some experience closing games, but should be more of a middle reliever in Tampa Bay.

Wilson provides Tampa Bay with a reliable workhorse after piling up 201 appearances between the Padres and White Sox over the past four season, recording a sparkling 3.86 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 195/95 K/BB ratio across 196 innings during that span. He figures to operate in a setup role for Tampa Bay, who is going to be looking for a new closer after declining to pick up Pete Fairbanks club option for 2026.

You don’t see many two-inning saves, but Wilson was tasked with getting the final six outs to end Friday’s game, and he did just that. it’s the second save of the season for the veteran 30-year-old, and first since May 23. It’s pretty unlikely he’ll see many more chances.

With this save going to Wilson, the White Sox have now had four different relievers get their last four saves as a team. Wilson is a sweeper-heavy right-handed pitcher whose fastball sits around 94 mph, so not exactly closer stuff there. Regardless, this team won’t win enough games for any of their relievers to have any fantasy value as long as they keep spreading their saves around like this.

Wilson was called upon to face the heart of the Reds’ lineup with the White Sox clinging to 1-0 advantage on Tuesday. He wound up giving up that game-tying blast to De La Cruz after a six-pitch battle, then rebounded to retire each of the next three hitters in order. Wilson was then the beneficiary of the White Sox scoring four times in the home half of the 10th as he snagged his first victory of the season. Cam Booser, who had received the White Sox’ previous save chance, worked a scoreless 10th inning in this one and may be the arm to speculate on in the White Sox’ bullpen for those desperate in saves.

Wilson will give the White Sox a fresh arm in the bullpen, and also hopefully a better one than Mike Clevinger, with Clevinger being designated for assignment in the corresponding move.