Rays Make Trade and Other Roster Moves With Deadline Approaching

The Tampa Bay Rays are making moves before the trade deadline as they continue to work back into playoff contention.

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash (16) watches first inning action against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. | Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images

With the MLB Trade Deadline fast approaching, the Rays decided to make another move by acquiring outfielder Stuart Fairchild from the Atlanta Braves for cash considerations, the team announced on Tuesday. 

The move also sees All-Star second baseman Brandon Lowe placed on the 10-day injured list due to left foot/ankle tendinitis, which is retroactive to July 20. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Rays are also transferring right-hander Manuel Rodriguez from the 15-day IL to the 60-day IL for a right forearm strain. Fairchild will wear No. 20 for the Rays.

The Tampa Bay Rays have placed INF Brandon Lowe (left ankle/foot tendinitis) on the 10-day IL (retro July 20) and acquired OF Stuart Fairchild from the Braves for cash considerations.

Fairchild will wear No. 20. (1/2)

— Rays Communications (@RaysPR) July 22, 2025

Drafted by the Cincinnati Reds with the 38th pick in the second round of the 2017 MLB Draft out of Wake Forest, Fairchild, 29, remained in the Reds organization until August 31, 2020, when the Arizona Diamondbacks acquired him in a trade. Fairchild’s brief time in Arizona saw him appear in 12 games while registering two hits in 15 at-bats.

On April 23, 2022, the Diamondbacks traded Fairchild to the Seattle Mariners, where he appeared in only three games before being traded to the San Francisco Giants less than a month later. Fairchild appeared in five games for the Giants before a reunion with the Reds occurred after Cincinnati claimed him off waivers from San Francisco. 

In his return to Cincinnati, Fairchild experienced stability in his career, remaining with the Reds through the 2024 season, during which he played in 229 games. On March 31, Cincinnati traded Fairchild to the Braves for cash.

In 28 games with Atlanta, Fairchild hit .216 (11-for-51) with four doubles, a triple and two RBIs. At 52-49, the Rays sit 1.5 games behind the Boston Red Sox for the third wild card spot in the American League.

Related Rays Stories

• LAST-PLACE WHITE SOX CLOBBER RAYS: Tampa Bay starter Shane Baz just didn't have it on Monday night, allowing a career-high eight earned runs in an 8-3 loss to the Chicago White Sox. ''It stinks when you're fighting for a playoff spot,'' he said. CLICK HERE

• BRANDON LOWE TALKS FOOT INJURY: Tampa Bay second baseman Brandon Lowe is dealing with his second injury in less than a month, but he told reporters Monday this his plantar fasciitis injury should not require a trip to the injured list. Here's his interview. CLICK HERE

• RAYS 2025 SCHEDULE: Here is the complete 2025 Tampa Bay Rays schedule, with dates, locations, game times and results in real time. CLICK HERE