Cedric

Mullins

The Rays’ lineup would probably work best if one of their lefties from the group of Chandler Simpson, Gavin Lux, Cedric Mullins or Jake Fraley stepped up and took over the leadoff spot, but for now, it looks like they’ll go with Yandy Diaz leading off and Aranda right behind him. Still unclear is whether Junior Caminero will hit third, which he did Tuesday, or if he’ll occupy the cleanup spot, which is where he’s been in most of his starts. They Rays had Lux batting third in between Aranda and Caminero on Friday. Ryan Vilade was there today, but he’s only expected to play against lefties. Fraley and Mullins have hit fifth and sixth, respectively, behind Caminero the last two days.

Williams and Melton are viewed as long-term building blocks up the middle for Tampa Bay. The pair of top prospects will open the season back in the upper minors with veterans Taylor Walls and Cedric Mullins starting at shortstop and center field, respectively. Williams is a phenomenal defender but his power/speed combo is muted somewhat by persistent contact issues that have followed him throughout his ascent. Melton came over from the Astros as part of the Brandon Lowe three-team deal in the offseason and shouldn’t have to wait too long for an everyday opportunity with the Rays.

Mullins capped off a three-run uprising off of Jose Urquidy in the third inning with a 387-foot (100.1 mph EV) solo shot. He then delivered a two-run single in the fifth inning and another RBI knock in the seventh to provide insurance. He has performed very well in his first spring with the Rays, hitting .333 (7-for-21) with two homers, six RBI and a stolen base.

Mullins went seven days in between appearances because of a back problem. He’s 3-for-13 with a homer this spring.

Both players have been sidelined for a few days, but neither injury was feared to be significant. It now appears that both will return with ample time to be ready for the start of the season.

It’s good to hear that the 31-year-old outfielder is back on the field, though it remains unclear when he’ll return to Grapefruit League action. As of now there’s no reason to expect that he won’t be ready for the start of the regular season.

Reading between the lines, we’re probably not going to see a real absence from Mullins that would threaten his regular season. Still, you never know with backs. Mullins should be regarded as day-to-day until we get a new update.

It’s not exactly ominous, but back injuries are never great news and can linger. Jacob Melton is stepping in today for the Rays. The Rays should have an update on Mullins’ status in the near future.

The Rays traded for Jacob Melton in the hopes that he’ll be their long-term center fielder, but it’s Mullins’ job for now. The 31-year-old had 17 homers and 22 steals for the Orioles and Mets last season, though he hit just .216 in the process. Even with the homers and steals, he’ll probably be too much of a liability elsewhere to be of much use in mixed leagues.

The crown jewel of Tampa Bay’s prospect haul from the Astros as part of a three-team swap that also included the Pirates, Melton struggled in his first taste of the big leagues this past season during a brief 32-game cameo where he batted .157 (11-for-70) with 29 strikeouts. Still, the Rays clearly view the 25-year-old as their long-term answer in center field, with veteran Cedric Mullins signed to a one-year deal as a temporary bridge. Neander added that Melton is not terribly far off and will have an opportunity to compete for a spot on the Rays’ season-opening roster next spring. He boasts an enticing power-speed profile for fantasy purposes and his immediate path to playing time feels more likely in the outfield corners which are occupied by Chandler Simpson and Josh Lowe for now. The move to Tampa Bay offering a clean reset — positioning him as a potential core piece of a younger roster rather than a fringe component behind Houston’s veteran-heavy group. He checks in as a borderline top-100 dynasty outfielder with the athleticism and upside to take a meaningful leap if everything clicks in spring training.