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    DeLuca drives in run in win over Tigers

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    TB Right Fielder #21
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    Jonny DeLuca went 1-for-4 with an RBI double in a win over the Tigers on Wednesday.

    DeLuca has been playing every day since Victor Mesa Jr. went on the injured list, and he’s gone 19-for-64 (.297) in August with five runs scored, five RBI, and three steals. He could be a deeper league asset in fantasy if he’s going to continue to play this often.
Diaz is a 'massive linchpin' in Rays' lineup
Eric Samulski and James Schiano break down why Yandy Diaz is a crucial piece to the Tampa Bay Rays' lineup in this World Series and how he is one of the most underrated hitters in the MLB.

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  • TB Right Fielder #26
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    With left-hander Parker Messick on the mound for the Guardians in Game 5, the Rays will change things up with Vilade starting in right field and batting third while Williamson takes over at second base and will bat eighth. Here’s the full lineup that Rays’ skipper Kevin Cash will deploy as the Rays look to take control of the ALCS on Sunday: Yandy Díaz (DH), Jonathan Aranda (1B), Ryan Vilade (RF), Junior Caminero (3B), Chandler Simpson (LF), Jonny DeLuca (CF), Liam Hicks (C), Ben Williamson (2B) and Taylor Walls (SS).
  • TB Left Fielder #14
    The Rays will utilize the same starting nine that they used in Thursday’s loss in Game 3, but the batting order has changed. Simpson moves up from fifth to third while Junior Caminero slides into the cleanup spot. Here’s the full lineup that the Rays will deploy against Shawn Armstrong and a host of Guardians’ relievers: Yandy Diaz (DH), Jonathan Aranda (1B), Simpson (LF), Junior Caminero (3B), Liam Hicks (C), Victor Mesa Jr. (RF), Jonny DeLuca (CF), Richie Palacios (2B) and Taylor Walls (SS).
  • TB Right Fielder #26
    Vilade posted an .818 OPS against southpaws during the regular season and will get a chance to face Guardians starter Foster Griffin at Tropicana Field to kick off the best-of-seven showdown. The 27-year-old lefty-masher blasted a solo homer off Yankees ace Max Fried during Tampa Bay’s series-clinching victory last week. Here’s the full lineup: Yandy Díaz (DH), Jonathan Aranda (1B), Junior Caminero (3B), Vilade (LF), Victor Mesa Jr. (RF), Jonny DeLuca (CF), Ben Williamson (2B), Taylor Walls (SS) and Nick Fortes (C).
  • TB 3rd Baseman #13
    Rays manager Kevin Cash isn’t making any changes following a series-opening victory where Jonathan Aranda’s solo homer was enough for a nearly-flawless Drew Rasmussen, who took a no-hit bid into the eighth inning. Caminero, who is likely to finish near the top of AL MVP Award balloting, finished a phenomenal regular season with 42 home runs, reaching the lofty 40-homer plateau for the second straight season. Here’s the full lineup: Yandy Díaz (DH), Jonathan Aranda (1B), Junior Caminero (3B), Liam Hicks (C), Chandler Simpson (LF), Victor Mesa Jr. (RF), Jonny DeLuca (CF), Richie Palacios (2B) and Taylor Walls (SS).
  • TB Right Fielder #21
    One Ray came to play today, as DeLuca took Zach Wheeler and Alex McFarlane deep for his 10th and 11th homers. He finishes the year at .266/.300/.426 in 370 plate appearances. The only problem for the Rays is that he was better against righties than the lefties he typically started against for most of the year. Depending on how the offseason goes, the Rays could give DeLuca a chance to open next year as their starting center fielder, with Jacob Melton potentially overtaking him later if he can stay healthy.
  • TB Left Fielder #14
    Simpson is dealing with a sore foot after fouling a ball off his foot during Friday’s win over Philadelphia. He’s considered day-to-day, but day-to-day doesn’t play often in games that mean nothing, and that’s what this one means for Tampa Bay. Jonny DeLuca takes Simpson’s place in the lineup.
  • TB Center Fielder #31
    Mullins has not started against any of the last five left-handed pitchers the Rays have faced, and they will face Carlos Rodon and Max Fried on Tuesday, which means it’s unlikely that Mullins starts either game. Jonny DeLuca should continue to take his place in center field, but it’s interesting to note that both Chandler Simpson and Victor Mesa Jr. are in the lineup on Tuesday and have started against the last three lefties. They may both be emerging as full-time players for the Rays.
  • TB Right Fielder #21
    Part of the Rays’ platoon brigade, DeLuca notched two early hits off the Athletics’ left-handed starter Brady Basso and helped Tampa Bay build an early lead. With a .281 batting average against lefties this season, DeLuca consistently hits in the heart of the order against them and is a solid deep league, daily streamer on Friday and Saturday with two more lefties on the schedule.
  • TB Right Fielder #25
    Mesa Jr. was activated off the injured list on Tuesday and right back in the starting lineup against a lefty. He went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and is right back in there against a right-handed pitcher. Jonny DeLuca started on Tuesday, and Cedric Mullins is starting in center field and batting seventh tonight, so it appears that those two may be in a platoon.
  • TB Right Fielder #25
    Mesa’s setback last night will shelve him for at least 10 days. Ryan Vilade and Jonny DeLuca will get extra starts against righties while Mesa is out.

Rotoworld

  • TB Relief Pitcher #60
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    Garrett Cleavinger is back on the Tampa Bay roster for the World Series, replacing Brady Hopkins.

    Cleavinger missed the final three weeks of the regular season with forearm tightness. The Rays then activated him for the ALDS but never used him against the Yankees, and they replaced him with Hopkins for the ALCS. Now those two are swapping spots again. If Cleavinger pitches in the World Series, it’ll be his first appearance in seven weeks. In theory, he could be pretty helpful alongside fellow lefties Ian Seymour and Cam Booser, both of whom have carried big workloads thus far.
  • MIL Starting Pitcher #53
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    Brandon Woodruff has been added to the Brewers’ roster for the World Series, replacing Chad Patrick.

    It’s the only change for Milwaukee. Woodruff just faced hitters for the first time Tuesday, throwing 23 pitches and reportedly averaging 90-92 mph with his fastball. He last pitched on July 4 before going down with a recurrence of a shoulder injury that was originally expected to require season-ending surgery. The choice to put him on the roster here carries some risk, as the Brewers probably won’t be allowed to replace him if he suffers a setback. He takes the spot of Patrick, who hadn’t pitched in the postseason despite turning in a 3.40 ERA in 106 innings this year.
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    Stephen Vogt told reporters on Thursday that he has no interest in the Mariners’ managerial opening.

    The Seattle native has been receiving questions about his interest in coaching his hometown club, but he made it perfectly clear that his place is with the Guardians, noting, “I’ll be in Cleveland... I’m here. I’m coming back.” It sounds like the Mariners are casting a wide net in their search for a skipper to replace Dan Wilson.
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    Payton Henry has elected free agency.

    The 29-year-old journeyman backstop moves on, electing to explore the open market rather than remaining as extra depth for the Phillies at the Triple-A level. Henry hasn’t appeared in a big league contest since a 15-game cup of coffee with the Marlins back in 2022.
  • FA Relief Pitcher #49
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    Xzavion Curry has elected free agency.

    The well-traveled right-hander made nine appearances (one start) for the Mets in 2026, posting a 5.48 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and a 15/9 K/BB ratio over 21 1/3 innings. He’s still just 28-years-old and has flashed enough potential that he should have plenty of suitors willing to bring him in on a minor league deal with an invite to big league camp.
  • FA Relief Pitcher #72
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    Jonathan Hernández has elected free agency.

    The 30-year-old right-hander logged 25 1/3 innings over 16 appearances for the Dodgers in 2026, compiling an underwhelming 5.68 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and a 22/13 K/BB ratio. He hasn’t been a reliable bullpen arm since his days with the Rangers back in 2022, but there will be clubs still willing to take a chance on him on a minor league pact this offseason.
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    Luke Williams has elected free agency.

    As anticipated, after refusing an outright assignment to Triple-A Gwinnett, Williams is back on the open market. The 30-year-old infielder appeared in just two games for the Braves at the MLB level in 2026, drawing a walk in his lone plate appearance. He could be an intriguing utility option for some clubs this winter.
  • FA Relief Pitcher #34
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    Joel Payamps has elected free agency.

    The 32-year-old right-hander made 12 appearances out of the Braves’ bullpen during the 2026 campaign, registering an unsightly 8.22 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and a 9/4 K/BB ratio over 7 2/3 innings of work. He’s now free to peddle his wares on the open market.
  • TB Starting Pitcher #28
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    Rays’ manager Kevin Cash announced Thursday that Nick Martinez will start in Game 1 of the World Series against the Brewers on Friday evening in Milwaukee.

    The 36-year-old right-hander was brilliant his last time out, allowing just one run over 5 2/3 innings in a victory over the Guardians in Game 4 of the ALCS. It will be the first time in his career that Martinez has pitched in a World Series contest. Historically, the Brewers haven’t had a great deal of success against him, though William Contreras is 5-for-18 (.278) with a pair of homers and a double. He’ll be opposed by Brewers’ ace Jacob Misiorowski with the entire baseball world watching on Friday night.
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    Mitch Garver told MLB.com’s Daniel Kramer that he is retiring from baseball after 10 seasons.

    The 35-year-old Garver, who finished out the season in Triple-A for the Yankees after being let go by the Mariners in August, might stay in the game as a coach or in a TV role. The backstop played in 701 major league games for the Twins, Rangers and Mariners after debuting in 2017, hitting .229/.325/.432 with 110 homers in 2,498 plate appearances. His best season came in 2019, when he hit .273/.365/.630 with 31 homers in 359 plate appearances for the Twins. He had three homers and 14 RBI in 14 games during the 2023 postseason to help the Rangers win the World Series.