Tampa Bay

Rays

Waldichuk represents an intriguing addition for Tampa Bay’s pitching development apparatus to sink their teeth into this spring. The 28-year-old former top prospect’s stuff hasn’t rebounded to pre-Tommy John surgery levels but he still offers some appeal as a potential swingman, capable of stepping into the starting rotation or gobbling up multiple innings out of the bullpen. He spent a couple weeks with the Braves after being jettisoned by the Athletics last month and hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since the 2023 campaign.

Wisely heads to Tampa Bay as a versatile utility infield option after getting into 26 games between the Braves and Giants last season, hitting .185/.279/.315 with one homer and one steal in 63 plate appearances. He offers some appeal as an experienced veteran stopgap at the highest level, but he can be safely ignored in all fantasy formats.

Bido’s stint with the Rays wound up lasting only a couple weeks after being picked up off waivers from the Braves. The 30-year-old figures to generate some interest as a versatile swingman despite recording a bloated 6.07 FIP and 68/35 K/BB ratio across 79 2/3 innings over 26 appearances for the Athletics this past season.

Cheng has been removed from Tampa Bay’s 40-man roster to make room for veteran utility infielder Brett Wisely. The 24-year-old shortstop was claimed off waivers from the Pirates last week after hitting .209/.307/.271 with one homer and 18 steals in 107 games for Triple-A Indianapolis. He got into three contests for Pittsburgh last season, going 0-for-7 at the dish.

Kelly had a down year in 2025, posting a 5.90 ERA in 39 2/3 innings; however, he had posted a 2.67 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and 63/9 K/BB ratio in 70 2/3 innings, so the Rays will be hoping they get that version out of the bullpen in 2026.

Injuries limited Lowe to just 108 games in 2025, and he has now played under 110 games in each of the last two seasons. He also slashed just .220/.283/.366 with 11 home runs and 18 steals in 435 plate appearances, which were mostly against right-handed pitchers. Lowe has the raw tools to be a real difference-maker, but he’ll be 28 years old when the season begins and needs to start putting them together consistently.

Pepiot was solid in his second season in Tampa Bay, posting a 3.86 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 167/61 K/BB ratio across 167 2/3 innings over 31 starts. He does struggle with home runs, so playing his home games in a minor league ballpark wasn’t a great fit, but Pepiot should be a solid middle-round pick in fantasy leagues in 2026.

Baker posted a 3.73 ERA in 176 1/3 innings of relief for the Orioles over four seasons, but had just a 4.75 ERA in 30 1/3 innings for the Rays after coming over at the trade deadline. Keeping in mind that the Rays were playing their games in a minor league park last season, we’d expect his numbers to revert closer to what he had done in Baltimore.

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.

The Rays traded for Wilson back in November. The 31-year-old has posted a 3.86 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 195/95 K/BB ratio across 196 innings over the last four seasons. He has some experience closing games, but should be more of a middle reliever in Tampa Bay.