Richie

Palacios

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.

Lux had missed time this spring with a “cranky” shoulder but returned to the lineup on Sunday. Apparently, he didn’t recover from that game as well as the Rays would have hoped. While his injury means that Richie Palacios will make the Opening Day roster, it’s unclear if Palacios or Ben Williamson will start at second base with Lux out. Palacios is a left-handed hitter, which would favor him, but neither player needs to be added in fantasy leagues right now.

Boyle has shown the ability to miss bats with electric stuff, but he’s also shown he rarely has any idea where his arsenal will end up, so he won’t make the Opening Day roster. Both Malloy and Palacios figure to be up-and-down for Tampa Bay as bench options.

Palacios had just 48 plate appearances with the Rays in 2025, slashing .333/.396/.452 with one home run and four steals. He also played in 24 games in the minors as he battled injuries. There’s a chance that he could earn a starting job in Tampa Bay in 2026.

Tristan Gray replaced him, with Richie Palacios moving from second base to the outfield. Pereira, who has been hoping to work his way into the Rays’ plans for 2026, is hitting .138/.219/.246 with 28 strikeouts in 73 plate appearances.

It’s unusual these days to not see Simpson’s name atop the Rays’ lineup, but he’ll get a well-deserved breather in this one. Richie Palacios will start in his place in left field and will bat leadoff against Gavin Williams and the Guardians on Friday night in Tampa Bay.

Palacios has played in just one major league game this season after missing the start of the year with a fractured finger and the bulk of the remainder with knee issues. He should get quite a few starts against right-handers and maybe offer some value in AL-only leagues. Bob Seymour and Everson Pereira could lose at-bats to him.