September 1, 2024
The Tampa Bay Rays activated right-hander
Zack Littell (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list on Sunday and also selected the contract of catcher
Logan Driscoll from the minors. Littell is scheduled to make his first start back from the IL on Monday in the series opener against the Minnesota Twins at Tropicana Field. The 28-year-old didn't require a minor-league rehab assignment after leaving his last start early on Aug. 14 against the Houston Astros with right-shoulder soreness. Fantasy managers in mixed leagues will want to pounce on Littell if he's available on the waiver wire. While his 21.1% strikeout rate doesn't exactly stand out, he allowed five runs (three earned) with five walks and 16 K's in his last four starts before getting hurt. On June 20 against the Twins, he gave up just two earned runs while striking out five in five innings for a no-decision.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Rays Communications
August 29, 2024
Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said on Wednesday that right-hander
Zack Littell (shoulder) is progressing well and that he threw a "simulated live session," so there is hope that he can be penciled back into the starting rotation sometime during the upcoming homestand that runs from Friday, Aug. 30, through Thursday, Sept. 5. Cash said Littell, who last pitched on Aug. 14 due to right-shoulder fatigue, is not likely to need a minor-league rehab assignment before coming off the 15-day injured list. The 28-year-old will be in play in deep-mixed leagues when he's back. Although he didn't go beyond 5 1/3 innings in any of his three August starts, he gave up just five runs (three earned) while walking four and striking out 11 in 15 2/3 innings. Littell has a nice 4.7% walk rate and a 21.1% strikeout rate in 2024, which is his highest mark since 2021.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
August 17, 2024
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher
Zack Littell (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day injured list with right-shoulder fatigue. In a corresponding move, the Rays recalled southpaw
Tyler Alexander from Triple-A Durham. Littell was enjoying a nice hot stretch before the injury as he held a strong 1.19 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and a 5:16 BB:K ratio across his previous three outings (22 2/3 innings). Overall, through the season, the 28-year-old has posted a 3.89 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and a 26:116 BB:K ratio. Alexander has carried a hefty 5.20 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP through 71 frames this season. Fantasy managers should expect Alexander to contend for the open spot in the rotation with
Drew Rasmussen, who recently returned from the 60-day IL, while Littell remains sidelined.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Tricia Whitaker
July 27, 2024
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander
Zack Littell (4-7) allowed three hits while striking out five over seven scoreless innings in Saturday's 4-0 win over the Cincinnati Reds. He collected his fourth victory of the season. It was the fourth time in his career he made it seven innings. The 28-year-old threw 96 pitches, landing 60 for strikes. He bounced back on Saturday after allowing five earned runs in the previous start. The Rays are amid a fire sale and have already traded away
Randy Arozarena and
Zach Eflin. Littell is subject to trade rumors and could be moved by the MLB deadline on Tuesday. He owns a 4.18 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and 105 strikeouts over 114 innings. Littell is scheduled to take on the Astros on Saturday if he's not moved by the MLB deadline.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: MLB
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