Sam Connon

Joined: Apr 10, 2025

Sam Connon covers baseball for "On SI'' on the Sports Illustrated platform and is also a senior writer on "Fastball on SI'' and ''Minor League Baseball on SI.'' He previously covered UCLA Athletics for "On SI's'' All Bruins site, among others.

Cumberland, Georgia, USA; American League infielder Jonathan Aranda (62) of the Tampa Bay Rays hits a home run in the swing off after the 2025 MLB All-Star Game ended in a tie at Truist Park.

History

Junior Caminero is up to 19 home runs and 50 RBIs so far in 2025, helping the 21-year-old Tampa Bay Rays third baseman achieve a feat not seen in over two decades.

Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Eric Orze (17) throws a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies in the eighth inning at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

News

Seven months after the New York Mets traded Eric Orze to the Tampa Bay Rays, the right-handed relief pitcher is set to make his return to Queens this weekend.

Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Yandy Diaz (2) hits a two run home run during the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.

News

The Boston Red Sox did all of their damage via home runs, going yard four times against Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Zack Littell on Wednesday night.

Port Charlotte, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Shane McClanahan (18) throws a pitch against the New York Mets in the second inning during spring training at Charlotte Sports Park.

Injuries

Shane McClanahan, who has been managing a nerve issue since spring training, is still working his way through the ailment and has some hurdles left to clear before he can rejoin the Tampa Bay Rays.

Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Manuel Rodriguez (39) throws a pitch against the Miami Marlins in the eighth inning at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

Injuries

Manuel Rodríguez has been a reliable force out of the Tampa Bay Rays' bullpen since the start of last season, but Cole Sulser will have to take his place on the roster for the time being.

Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Zack Littell (52) pitches against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning at Fenway Park.

News

In the leadup to his start against the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday, Zack Littell looked back on his five-day stint with the organization back in 2023.

Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Ryan Pepiot (44) looks on as Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story (10) hits a home run in the sixth inning at Fenway Park.

News

After scoring 10 runs in Monday's extra-inning opener, the Tampa Bay Rays notched just three hits and an unearned run against the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday.

Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Tampa Bay Rays shortstop José Caballero (77) steals second base against Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story (10) in the fifth inning at Fenway Park.

History

By swiping his 24th and 25th bags of the season Tuesday night against the Boston Red Sox, José Caballero achieved a feat the Tampa Bay Rays had only seen from Carl Crawford, B.J. Upton and Josh Lowe.

Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Mason Englert against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field.

News

The Tampa Bay Rays' bullpen has chipped in a combined 28.2 innings since their last off day, so Mason Englert is set to provide some much-needed reinforcements against the Boston Red Sox.

Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Ian Seymour (61) pitches against the Boston Red Sox during the tenth inning at Fenway Park.

News

Ian Seymour, who grew up 30 miles from Boston, showed out for his family and friends in the Tampa Bay Rays' extra-inning victory at Fenway Park on Monday.

Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Josh Lowe (15) reacts after hitting a RBI double against the Boston Red Sox during the seventh inning at Fenway Park.

News

Despite letting the mistake-riddled Boston Red Sox back into the contest a few times down the stretch, the Tampa Bay Rays still held on to win 10-8 on Monday.

Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Yandy Diaz (2) celebrates with shortstop Taylor Walls (6) after scoring a run against the Boston Red Sox during the fourth inning at Fenway Park.

News

Junior Caminero' routine pop fly to the catcher somehow devolved into a chaotic double play, but it still helped the Tampa Bay Rays take a lead over the Boston Red Sox.

Sam Connon

Joined: Apr 10, 2025

Jonathan Aranda Falls Short in Swing-Off, But Tampa Bay Rays Had Solid All-Star Game

Tampa Bay Rays Slugger Junior Caminero Makes History Ahead of All-Star Break

Junior Caminero, Brandon Lowe Make Tampa Bay Rays History With Combined Power Surge

Tampa Bay Rays Rising Star Junior Caminero Joins Exclusive Club in MLB History Books

History

Tampa Bay Rays' Junior Caminero Joins Albert Pujols, Alex Rodriguez in History Books

News

Eric Orze Gearing Up For New York Mets Reunion Following Trade to Tampa Bay Rays

News

Tampa Bay Rays Get Outslugged in Home Run Parade Against Boston Red Sox

Injuries

Tampa Bay Rays Ace Shane McClanahan Set to See Nerve Specialist As Recovery Continues

Injuries

Tampa Bay Rays Place Reliever Manuel Rodríguez on Injured List With Forearm Strain

News

Zack Littell Reflects on Brief Time With Red Sox as Tampa Bay Rays Visit Boston

News

Tampa Bay Rays' Bats Fall Silent in Series-Evening Loss to Boston Red Sox

History

José Caballero Notches 25th Stolen Base, Joins Tampa Bay Rays Icons in History Books

Tampa Bay Rays Recall Mason Englert, Option Ian Seymour in Bullpen Shakeup

Tampa Bay Rays' Ian Seymour Snags Clutch Win Against Hometown Team in MLB Debut

Tampa Bay Rays Outlast Boston Red Sox in Messy Extra-Inning Showdown

Tampa Bay Rays Somehow Hit Into Bizarre Double Play On Infield Fly Rule