Ryan

Vilade

With the Cardinals starting left-hander Matthew Liberatore, the Rays will turn to Jonny DeLuca in right field and Ryan Vilade in left field, with both Simpson and Jake Fraley on the bench. The Rays do love to platoon, so fantasy managers should expect this to continue for Simpson. He would likely still enter games as a pinch runner when he doesn’t start, but this will lower his projected at-bat totals. The remainder of the Rays’ lineup on Thursday is: Yandy Diaz DH, Ryan Vilade LF, Jonathan Aranda 1B, Junior Caminero 3B, Ben Williamson 2B, Jonny DeLuca RF, Nick Fortes C, Cedric Mullins CF, and Carson Williams SS.

Vilade parked a 99.1 mph Jose Alvarado sinker into the seats. It was his first of the spring and boosted his overall batting line to .225/.319/.350 in 45 plate appearances. Vilade is a plausible short-side platoon bat on Tampa’s Opening Day roster, but he’s likely only of fantasy interest in leagues with daily transactions.

Vilade was claimed off waivers from the Cardinals in June and played only one game for the Reds before spending the second half of the season at Triple-A. The 26-year-old is a .141/.200/.188 career hitter in 71 MLB plate appearances.

Vilade appeared in only one game during his nine days with the Reds and didn’t get an at-bat. The former Rockies prospect has played in just 28 major league games since debuting in 2022 and gone 9-for-64 with a homer as his only extra-base hit.

Vilade gets the call to fill a spot on Cincinnati’s bench with Connor Joe heading to the injured list with hand, foot and mouth disease. The versatile 26-year-old was claimed off waivers over the weekend from the division-rival Cardinals.

The 26-year-old outfielder had been designated for assignment by the Cardinals on Thursday. He’ll say in the National League Central where he’ll report to Triple-A Louisville. Vilade went 1-for-13 in his limited action at the big league level for the Cardinals.

Vilade picked up one hit in 13 at-bats in another unimpressive stint for the former second-round pick. He’ll hit the waiver wire with Michael Siani taking his place on the roster.

Donovan was replaced by Ryan Vilade in left field in the ninth inning after going 0-for-3 with a run scored. There should be an update on his status shortly.

Burleson, who is hitting .380 (19-for-50) with three homers, seven RBI and one steal over his last 15 games, takes a seat with rookie southpaw Noah Cameron toeing the rubber in this one. He went 3-for-4 with a homer and reached base safely in four of his five plate appearances on Tuesday night. It’ll be Ryan Vilade getting his first start after being called up earlier this week.

Vilade gets the call back to the majors with Jordan Walker heading to the injured list with wrist inflammation. The 26-year-old will occupy a spot on St. Louis’ bench. He got into a career-best 17 contests last year for the Tigers and went 8-for-48 at the plate during that span.