March 11, 2025
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop
Taylor Walls (quadriceps) is dealing with a minor quad injury. The infielder exited Saturday's contest early due to this injury. However, the team noted that this injury is not considered serious and expects Walls to return to the lineup later this week. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status in case he faces a setback. Walls is expected to have a more significant role in the lineup over the first two months with
Ha-Seong Kim (shoulder) sidelined. He will likely compete alongside
Jose Caballero for starting opportunities. Last summer, the 28-year-old appeared in 84 contests for Tampa Bay and posted a .183/.282/.248 line. He swiped 16 bags and drew walks at an elite 12.3 percent rate. However, he generated a weak .184 xBA. Fantasy managers should only target Walls when looking for speed in deeper AL-only formats.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Marc Topkin
January 22, 2025
The Tampa Bay Rays and infielder
Taylor Walls avoided salary arbitration on Wednesday by agreeing to a one-year, $1.35 million deal. The contract includes a $2.45 million option for the 2026 season with a $50,000 buyout. The 28-year-old middle infield will return to Tampa this year to provide infield insurance for the Rays. His glove is the most attractive thing about him, leaving very little fantasy upside for those in deep AL-only leagues in 2025. The former third-round selection in 2017 out of Florida State hit just .183/.282/.248 with a career-worst .529 OPS, one home run, 14 RBI, 16 stolen bases and 27 runs scored in 84 games in his fourth major-league season in 2024. In his four big-league campaigns, Walls has slashed a mere .188/.288/.293 with 18 home runs, 98 RBI and 52 stolen bases in 379 career games. If he's forced into regular playing time, the Rays will be in trouble.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
September 12, 2024
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder
Jose Siri and infielder
Taylor Walls will both start Thursday's game against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on the bench.
Jonny DeLuca will start in center field and bat eighth for the Rays, with
Jose Caballero starting at shortstop and hitting sixth against Guardians right-hander
Gavin Williams. DeLuca is hitless in two career at-bats against Williams, while Caballero is hitless in his only at-bat against Williams. Siri could see more time on the bench moving forward if he can't break out of his recent slump soon. The 29-year-old Dominican is hitting .184 (69-for-374) on the year and is 1-for-24 (.042) with two walks and 11 K's in eight games in September. Walls has played in only 72 games this year due to injuries and is hitting a similarly weak .179/.287/.242 with a homer, 13 RBI and 14 stolen bases.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
June 7, 2024
The Tampa Bay Rays reinstated infielder
Taylor Walls (hip) from the 60-day injured list on Friday and designated outfielder
Harold Ramirez for assignment in a corresponding move. Walls will be making his 2024 debut when he gets into a game after being sidelined up until this point after having offseason hip surgery. The 27-year-old former third-round pick in 2017 out of Florida State could take some playing time away from
Jose Caballeros at the 6, but Walls should mostly settle in as a utility infielder for Tampa now that he's healthy. During his five-game minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham, Walls went 8-for-21. The switch-hitting infielder has hit just .189/.289/.304 with 17 homers, 84 RBI, and 36 stolen bases in 295 career games. Walls is useful for his speed in AL-only affairs.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Bally Sports Florida - Tricia Whitaker
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