The Rays have formalized the completion of Diaz's $13 million vesting option for 2027, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Diaz's contract became eligible to vest when Diaz reached 500 plate appearances in August, but he also needed to finish the campaign healthy for the option to kick in. That indeed happened, and the veteran slugger will now be under contract for $13 million next season. Diaz had another strong campaign in 2026, posting a .293/.359/.446 slash line with 22 home runs, 93 runs, 85 RBI and three stolen bases over 154 regular-season games. He batted .333 with two homers in the ALCS to help lead Tampa Bay to the World Series, though he went just 3-for-20 with only one RBI in five games against Milwaukee as the Rays fell short of the title.
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Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Rays exercise option
Rotowire
The Rays exercised Rasmussen's $20 million club option for the 2027 season Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Rasmussen made 30 starts in the regular season and spent fewer than 45 days on the injured list in 2026, triggering escalators that elevated the value of his option from $8 million to $20 million. The Rays' decision to bring the 31-year-old back for another season was likely easy despite the price increase, as he posted a 2.67 ERA and 0.91 WHIP across 172 regular-season innings. He also allowed just seven runs in 28.2 frames during the postseason while helping the Rays secure their second American League pennant in seven seasons.
Rasmussen was charged with the loss in Game 5 of the World Series against the Brewers on Wednesday. He gave up one run on two hits with four strikeouts and no walks over four innings.
Pitching on short rest after Tampa Bay avoided a sweep Tuesday, Rasmussen gave his club a chance in Game 5 with four strong innings, but the Rays offense never found any traction. The right-hander surrendered just seven runs with a 31:5 K:BB across 28.2 innings during the playoffs. Rasmussen has a $20 million club option for 2027, which the Rays are likely to exercise after he posted a 2.67 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 174:32 K:BB over a career-high 172 innings during the regular season.
Caminero (foot) will start at third base and will bat third Wednesday in Game 5 of the World Series against the Brewers.
A sore right foot in extra innings forced the removal of Caminero from the Rays' Game 4 victory. Per Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca, manager Kevin Cash noted that Caminero has "been dealing with some lower extremity injuries," but there was no consideration given to excluding the slugger from Wednesday's elimination game. Caminero is slashing .250/.321/.396 with one home run in 13 games this postseason.
Rasmussen will start Wednesday in Game 5 of the World Series against the Brewers, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
He'll be taking the ball on three days' rest after throwing 89 pitches over 3.2 innings in Game 2 on Saturday. Rasmussen was knocked around for three runs on six hits and two walks in that outing, but the righty was dominant in his first three starts this postseason in holding a 1.29 ERA with a 23:3 K:BB in 21 frames. He will be opposed by National League Cy Young front-runner Jacob Misiorowski.
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