Edwin

Uceta

Uceta won’t be ready for Tampa Bay’s season opener later this month but he’s trending towards being ready to return at some point in early-to-mid April following a brief rehab assignment. The 28-year-old high-leverage specialist has been brought along slowly this spring after receiving a cortisone shot to alleviate shoulder inflammation earlier in camp. His absence opens the door for Griffin Jax to handle the ninth-inning role at the start of the regular season.

Uceta will require a season-opening trip to the injured list after missing time early in spring training with shoulder inflammation. The 28-year-old high-leverage option’s absence seems to clear a path for Griffin Jax to open the year as Tampa Bay’s primary closer. However, that has yet to be confirmed by manager Kevin Cash.

Uceta will be cutting close, barring any additional setbacks, from a ramp-up standpoint to be ready for next month’s Opening Day contest. However, this latest update qualifies as an extremely encouraging one for the high-leverage specialist. He received a cortisone injection to address the swelling in his ailing right shoulder but doesn’t appear to be dealing with any structural damage that likely would’ve required surgery. The 28-year-old will be in the mix for save opportunities alongside Griffin Jax and Garrett Cleavinger in Tampa Bay this season.

It could just be a meeting to go over the results of the MRI, but it’s always possible that there’s something a bit more serious at play here. At this stage, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Uceta open the year on the injured list. Stay tuned.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Uceta was testing his “cranky” shoulder on Thursday, and it “didn’t feel great” the longer he played catch. Uceta is set to play a key role as a high-leverage reliever for the Rays, so his absence would be a big one.

The issue is believed to be minor and isn’t expected to impact Uceta’s availability for the start of the regular season. The 28-year-old hurler is one of many options that’s expected to fight for save chances at the back end of the Rays’ bullpen in 2026.

Matz fortifies Tampa Bay’s relief depth after compiling a strong 3.05 ERA (3.46 FIP) and 59/11 K/BB ratio across 76 2/3 innings over 53 appearances between the Cardinals and Red Sox this past season. The 34-year-old southpaw has excelled since transitioning to a full-time relief role but his fantasy appeal is virtually non-existent since he’s mostly toiling away in middle relief. The Rays are expected to roll with a closer-by-committee strategy next season with Edwin Uceta, Griffin Jax and Garrett Cleavinger sharing the role.

The Rays entered the ninth with a three-run lead, and Eric Orze was allowed to start the inning for a two-inning save. However, he allowed a home run and double to begin the frame, and Uceta was called on to put out the fire. Instead, Uceta allowed four singles to load the bases with one out and the Rays clinging to a one-run lead. At that point, he buckled down and struck out both Brent Rooker and Nick Kurtz to end the game and get his first save of the season. He remains firmly in the high-leverage mix in Tampa Bay and could pick up a stray save here or there when Pete Fairbanks is unavailable, like today.

It’s probably time to forget about Uceta earning saves early on this season. He’s given up as many earned runs (seven) and homers (two) in 6 2/3 innings this spring as he did in 41 2/3 regular-season innings last year. At least Uceta is out of options, so the Rays can’t stash him away in Triple-A. We wouldn’t write him off for the season, but those in shallow mixed leagues should probably look elsewhere on draft day. Pete Fairbanks, on the other hand, should be moving up draft boards.

Uceta allowed three hits and walked one while getting just two whiffs on 17 swings. He came into the day having allowed one run in 5 1/3 innings, so it hasn’t been a bad spring overall. Still, he wouldn’t seem to be gaining on Pete Fairbanks, who pitched a scoreless inning today. Fairbanks has allowed one run in 2 2/3 innings.