MLB Player News

Rays manager Kevin Cash said that Williamson was scratched from the lineup for Game 1 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Yankees because his right hamstring is "a littlesore," Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The 25-year-old was penciled in at shortstop for Tuesday's matinee but will now begin the contest on the bench. Williamson was just reinstated from the injured list Sunday after missing six weeks with an injury to the same hamstring, so it's worrisome that it's bothering him again. However, Cash believes Williamson could be ready to play during Tuesday's nightcap, so he should be considered day-to-day for now. Jorge Mateo is starting at shortstop for Tampa Bay in Tuesday's afternoon contest.

Rodriguez (back) is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list at some point this week, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Rodriguez has been shelved since early September with a lower-back strain, but his activation is imminent after he made three rehab appearances for Triple-A Durham. The righty has appeared in only four games for the Rays in 2026, as he got a late start to the season while recovering from flexor tendon surgery.

Chisholm (thumb) said Tuesday that he will be activated from the 10-day injured list before the second game of the doubleheader versus the Rays, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Chisholm sustained a right thumb sprain just two weeks ago, but he will skip a rehab assignment and be thrown back into the mix beginning with Tuesday's nightcap. The impending free agent had gotten off to a hot start in September before getting hurt, going 6-for-18 with one home run. Anthony Volpe has played well while filling in for Chisholm at second base and could get a look at third base after Chisholm returns.

Ritchie will start Tuesday's game against the Reds in Atlanta.

Despite getting lit up for six runs over 4.2 innings in a start against the Cubs last Wednesday, Ritchie will stick around with Atlanta for another turn through the rotation. The 23-year-old righty has struggled with his control (13.7 percent walk rate) and with keeping the ball in the yard (11 home runs allowed over 62.2 innings) across 15 appearances (nine starts) with the big club this season.

Walls is absent from the lineup for the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader versus the Yankees.

The Rays will roll out Ben Williamson at shortstop for Tuesday's matinee. Walls should be back to man the position for the nightcap.

Wells is absent from the lineup for the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader versus the Rays.

Wells should be back behind the dish for the second game of the twin bill, but he'll begin Tuesday's afternoon tilt on the bench. Ali Sanchez will do the catching for the Yankees during the matinee.

McMahon is not in the lineup for the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Rays.

McMahon should be back in there for the nightcap, but he'll begin Tuesday's matinee on the bench. Jose Caballero will cover third base for the Yankees in the first game of the twin bill.

Leiter (ankle/biceps) threw a bullpen session at Globe Life Field on Sunday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Leiter had been shut down for a couple of weeks after experiencing biceps soreness in his return from June ankle surgery. The right-hander felt good with the session and may throw another bullpen this week before the Rangers make a decision on his next step.

Williamson will start Tuesday's game in Atlanta.

After working out of the bullpen in each of his previous three appearances, Williamson will re-enter the rotation with the Reds placing Chase Burns (groin) on the 15-day injured list Sunday. Williamson had covered four-plus innings in two of those appearances while piggybacking Burns, so he should be sufficiently stretched out as he rejoins the rotation. Williamson could be in store for two starts this week, with another turn potentially coming in the season finale Sunday in Toronto.

Burnes is expected to start a game during the final series of the regular season against the Padres, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

Burnes was roughed up by the Yankees on Sunday, allowing four runs on five hits, including three home runs. The right-hander has allowed five home runs and four walks over 10.1 innings since being activated off the injured list. Burnes is pleased with his secondary offerings, but the velocity of his signature pitch, the cutter, is down and not creating enough separation. He's tentatively scheduled to start Saturday on the road against the Padres.