Rays Injuries Continue to Pile Up With Jonny DeLuca Heading to IL

The injuries continue to mount up for the Tampa Bay Rays as they look to keep their momentum as leaders of the American League. 

After having an unexpected off day on Saturday due to inclement weather, the Tampa Bay Rays are back in action Sunday afternoon against the New York Yankees. Before the game, it was reported that the Tampa Bay Rays had placed outfielder Jonny DeLuca on the 10-day injured list. It is reported that he is suffering from a right hamstring strain. In a corresponding move, outfielder Victor Mesa Jr. has been called up from Triple-A Durham and will be active for Sunday's game in the Bronx. 

DeLuca had a solid year so far for Tampa Bay before the injury, hitting .269/.298/.412 and picking up two home runs and six stolen bases. The 27-year-old found himself on the injured list last season due to a hamstring strain on his left side. The injury kept him out for most of the second half of the season in 2025. Hopefully, this one is less severe.

Victor Mesa Jr. will be making his Tampa Bay Rays season debut and his first appearance back in Major League Baseball since 2025 at the Miami Marlins. During his only 16-game slate in the Major Leagues, he hit .188/129/344 with one home run and six hits across 32 at-bats. He has had the hot bat in Durham, however, as he has a .963 OPS so far this season in the International League. 

First pitch for the series finale at Yankee Stadium will be at 1:35 p.m. Eastern. Drew Rasmussen (4-1, 3.19 ERA) will take the mound for the Rays. As for the Yankees, Ryan Weathers (2-2, 3.58 ERA) will get the start.  A win will give the team a 6.5-game lead above the Yankees for the American League East lead before entering the back half of their road trip.