Utilityman Ryan Vilade made the Rays’ Opening Day roster, manager Kevin Cash told reporters, including Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. The 27-year-old was acquired in a trade with the Reds at the start of the season. Vilade can fill the infield spot at shortstop Taylor’s Walls set aside.
Vilade spent parts of three seasons in the top flight. He hit .141/.200/.188 in 71 plate appearances. Vilade has shown more promise with the bat in the minors, including a 135 wRC+ in 113 games in Triple-A between the Cardinals and Reds organizations last year.
The most important thing for Vilade is his versatility as a defender. He has played all positions except forward and shortstop. Vilade hasn’t played shortstop since 2019, but has appeared in every other infield position and all three positions out of Triple-A this past season.
The Rays sent an outfielder Justin-Henry Malloy and midfielder/outfielder Richie Palacios at minor league camp on Friday. Both players would play on the bench with a midfielder Ben Williamsonforeign player Johnny DeLucaand backup handler Hunter Feduccia. Hope Carson Williams Sent to minor league camp earlier this week, he was recalled after the Walls came down. He may be headed for more time playing shortstop as the walls recover from the tilt.
Malloy came to a small trade with the Tigers after being selected for assignment in late December. His lack of defensive value has made him an odd fit for a Tampa Bay lineup that often prioritizes versatility. Malloy has not been hit this spring, but is hitting just .222 with just two extra-base hits.
Palacios is the most amazing way. He stole 19 bases while providing league average production per bat in 2024. He jumped all over the place, spending most of his time at second base and right field. Palacios got off to a hot start this past season, posting a 138 wRC in mid-April. He then went down with a sprained knee which kept him out until September. Additions of Cedric Mullins again Gavin Lux they were at the lower level of the Palacios turning left, given the inclination of the Radiation platoon.
“Richie, you are a really good player,” manager Kevin Cash said.It’s hard to see a situation where it doesn’t help us sometimes, (using) different things. Of course there wasn’t really his gate way, as we are now, coming out alive.”
On the shooting side, Joe Boyle will join Palacios and Malloy in minor league camp. As has become a theme in his career, the hard-throwing righty had an impressive 34.0% strikeout rate this spring, but came with a 17.0% walk rate. Boyle hit 74 pitches in his last outing, so he was shaping up to be a starter. Tampa Bay has never had an obvious place in the free agent rotation Nick Martinez again Steven Matz to join the ranks Drew Rasmussen, Ryan Pepiotagain Shane McClanahan.
Topkin also notes that the person on the left Cam Booser he was told he would not make the big league team. He arrived in Tampa Bay on a minor league deal back in January. The Booser Agreement includes an upward movement clause. If he catches it, he will be offered to other teams in the league. If another team is willing to give Booser a roster spot, the Rays will be forced to do the same or make a trade.
Photo courtesy of Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images
