Richie

Palacios

Rays manager Kevin Cash divulged Friday that Simpson has been playing through a thumb contusion that he suffered earlier this week. The 25-year-old speedster figures to avoid a trip to the injured list, but that’s hardly a lock. He’ll get some extra time off to rest and hopefully put the issue to bed. Richie Palacios is in left field with Victor Mesa Jr. in the opposite corner on Saturday afternoon. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day heading into Sunday’s series finale in Miami.

Palacios gave the Rays their first two runs of the night when he smacked a two-RBI triple to right-center field in the first inning to give the Rays the early lead. Palacios has tripled twice in his last six games, but is just 3-for-15 in the early parts of June. He’s cooled off quite a bit after a strong May, so we’ll see if he can bounce back in some capacity in the coming days.

With runners on the corners, Palacios came up clutch with a two-RBI single in the eighth inning to give the Rays a 3-1 lead. It was the first lead of the night for the Rays, which proved to be enough to secure the win and extend their lead over the Yankees in the AL East. Palacios has now hit in four-straight games while driving in a run in each of those games as well. He continues to play welll with Ben Williamson (back) sidelined and is slashing .342/.432/.395 on the month.

It was Yandy Dìaz, who finished 2-for-3 with a solo homer and two RBI, that did the heavy lifting for Tampa Bay before leaving the contest after being hit by a pitch in the eighth inning. Palacios added a key insurance run with two outs in the eighth when he drilled an RBI double to right field off lights-out reliever Rico Garcia that somehow managed to drop out of Colton Cowser’s glove as he collided with the wall. The versatile 29-year-old should continue seeing time at second base with Ben Williamson (back) out of the lineup.

Williamson hasn’t played since last Friday due to ongoing back tightness. It’s unclear whether he’ll require a trip to the injured list, but the Rays are going to carry him on the bench for now in the hopes that the issue clears up without an extended layoff. It’ll be Richie Palacios at second base on Tuesday night in his place.

Fraley was scratched from Saturday’s lineup with an undisclosed injury. Jacob Melton is hurt in Triple-A, so Carson Williams might be the choice to replace Fraley on the Tampa Bay roster. Richie Palacios, who has been mostly starting at second base, could move to right field to replace Fraley, opening up infield starts for Williams and Ben Williamson.

Caminero left the contest shortly after fouling a ball off home plate that bounced up and struck him on the right side of the face. He managed to stay in to complete the at-bat, but immediately went down the tunnel with a trainer afterwards and was replaced at third base by Richie Palacios. He finished 0-for-1. The 22-year-old superstar will head for X-rays to determine whether he suffered any fractures. There should be an update on his status following the contest.

Palacios, who was set to open the season in Triple-A before Gavin Lux was placed on the IL, has been on base eight times in 18 plate appearances and gone 2-for-3 stealing bases. The Rays might as well keep starting him against righties, whether it’s at second base or in the outfield. They could drop Ryan Villade or maybe Carson Williams when Lux returns.

The rookie has struggled to start the season, going 3-for-19 with six strikeouts and one walk. The Rays had also demoted him to Triple-A before Taylor Walls (oblique) got injured, so Williams’ hold on the job may not be overly strong. Ben Williamson will shift to shortstop with Richie Palacios entering the starting lineup at second base and batting ninth.

Palacios makes Tampa Bay’s season-opening roster with Gavin Lux (shoulder) opening up on the injured list. The 28-year-old’s versatility makes him an impactful bench player for the Rays but he doesn’t offer any fantasy appeal.