Tampa Bay Rays Make Shocking Roster Move on Friday

The Rays have brought back outfielder Jack Mangum from the injured list, but it's come at the surprising expense of electric rookie Chandler Simpson.

Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Chandler Simpson (14) steals third base then scores a run on Houston Astros catcher Yainer Diaz (21) (not pictured) errant throw in the fourth inning at Daikin Park on May 29. | Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

The Tampa Bay Rays announced on Friday that they have reinstated outfielder Jake Mangum from the injured list. He had been out with a left groin strain.

In a shocking corresponding move, they have sent down speedster Chandler Durham to Triple-A Durham.

The Tampa Bay Rays have reinstated OF Jake Mangum (left groin strain) from the 10-day IL and optioned OF Chandler Simpson to Triple-A Durham.

— Rays Communications (@RaysPR) May 30, 2025

Mangum, 29, is hitting .338 through the first 68 at-bats of his season. In addition, he's got seven RBIs, seven runs scored and eight stolen bases. He's posted a .384 on-base percentage and is a nice part of Kevin Cash's lineup.

Simpson, 24, is one of the best runners in the sport and has already provided the Rays with a seemingly solid spark in his limited big-league time. Through 123 at-bats, he's hitting .285 with 11 RBIs, 17 runs scored and 19 stolen bases. He was on pace for 77 steals despite not debuting until April 19.

Chandler Simpson is on pace for 77 stolen bases

He didn't debut until April 19th pic.twitter.com/CBGy4sJo9E

— Fuzzy (@fuzzyfromyt) May 30, 2025

A second-round pick of the Rays in 2022, he played his college ball at Georgia Tech. Despite the excitement he's caused on the bases, his OPS is just 85+, which signifies he's been below average (100 is average). He's also been worth -0.1 WAR, per Baseball Reference.

The Rays enter play on Friday at 29-27 and in second place in the American League East. They'll take on the Houston Astros, who come in at 30-26 and in second place in the American League West.

Ryan Pepiot will pitch for the Rays, while longtime ace Framber Valdez goes for Houston. Pepiot is out to a 3-5 start with a 3.55 ERA, while Valdez is 4-4 with a 3.39.