Richie

Palacios

Palacios had just been taken off the injured list with a fractured finger, and his first game back saw him suffer the knee sprain. The Rays are unsure if Palacios will need to have surgery with manager Kevin Cash saying the team is still “gathering” information, so 4-6 weeks appears to be the minimum stint for the outfielder.

Palacios returned from the injured list on Thursday and apparently injured himself during his first game of the season and will head back to the injured list. No word yet on how long he’ll be shelved for. The Rays have promoted Chandler Simpson from Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move.

Simpson is one of the fastest players in the sport, and it appears he’s going to get a chance to show off those wheels beginning Friday against the Yankees. The 24-year-old stole 104 bags in 2024, and he’s swiped eight of them already over his first 17 games in Triple-A Durham. There’s very little power in Simpson’s bat, but those who need help in the steals category should give him a look. Richie Palacios will be heading to the injured list to make room for Simpson.

Morel had started each of the team’s previous 10 games, so it looks like they’re just trying to give him a breather. The 25-year-old slugger is slashing a healthy .288/.362/.404 with one homer, six RBI and a pair of stolen bases through his first 17 games on the season. Richie Palacios will start in his place in left field on Thursday night and will bat sixth against Will Warren and the Yankees.

Palacios has missed the first three weeks of the season with a right finger fracture. The 27-year-old is someone who should see playing time against left-handed pitching, but won’t see enough run — or be good enough with that time — to be an option in fantasy leagues. Coco Montes was sent to Triple-A to make room.

Palacios was expected to be a bench option for the Rays, but instead will miss at least the first two weeks of the season with the fracture. With the 27-year-old on the shelf, the Rays recalled Kameron Misner from Triple-A to take his spot on the roster.

The Rays needed the space on the roster for Richie Palacios, who is being activated off the IL. With the minor league season over, Shenton will head to the spring training complex to get more work in and try to push for a spot on the 2025 roster.

Palacios was placed on the IL on August 3rd with a sprained knee. He had been starting regularly against right-handed pitchers before getting hurt and was slashing .233/.350/.332 in 88 games with five home runs and 19 steals. In order to slide back into the lineup, he would need to push out Jonathan Aranda or Christopher Morel, which might be unlikely. Austin Shenton was sent down in a corresponding move.

Palacios has been out since Aug. 1 with a sprained right knee. He’s likely to come off the injured list for the final week of the season. Austin Shenton will probably lose his spot on the Rays once that happens.

Palacios, who landed on the injured list prior to Friday’s series opener against the Astros, will be completely shut down from baseball activities for at least the next 10-14 days. There’s optimism the versatile 27-year-old will make it back before the regular season wraps up, but there’s very little room for any sort of setback.