Steven Matz Eyes Rotation Spot as Rays Begin Spring Workouts
PORT CHARLOTTE - For Steven Matz, the decision to sign with the Rays came down to one thing: opportunity. After spending most of the past two seasons coming out of the bullpen in St. Louis and Boston, the 34-year-old lefty is looking to reestablish himself as a starter-and Tampa Bay is giving him that shot.
Spring training is just getting underway, but the Rays are already focused on stretching Matz out and getting him built up to handle a starter’s workload. And on Monday, he gave the club something to feel good about.
Throwing off the stadium mound in a short session against live hitters, Matz’s fastball was touching 94-95 mph-a sign that his offseason work is paying off.
“Matzy was up to 94-95, so encouraged by that,” manager Kevin Cash said. “He’s just made steady progress. (Pitching coach) Kyle Snyder went out and visited him mid-January, and where his velocity is, the gains are creeping in.”
For Matz, facing hitters brought a different kind of energy-something you just can’t replicate in a bullpen session.
“It’s definitely a big help,” Matz said. “I think in bullpen (sessions) you sit around 90 (mph), and then this is just like the next level of the adrenaline.
Everyone’s standing around, new faces. So, it doesn’t matter how many times you’ve done this, you still get a shot of adrenaline even when a hitter steps in.
It’s definitely huge to get this step and build from here.”
Veteran Arms Getting Early Work
Matz isn’t the only new face in the rotation mix. Fellow free-agent signee Nick Martinez also got in work Monday, throwing the equivalent of two innings after already facing hitters earlier in camp. The Rays are giving both veterans a real chance to carve out roles in a rotation that has plenty of question marks heading into 2026.
Ryan Pepiot, another rotation candidate, also threw during the session. And a few of the club’s relievers-Griffin Jax (Team USA) and Yoendrys Gomez (Team Venezuela)-got their work in before heading off to represent their countries in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
For Gomez, the WBC opportunity is especially meaningful. Acquired in a trade with the White Sox this offseason, the former Yankees prospect had already been living in Tampa, so the move to the Rays was a natural fit. Now, he gets to wear Venezuela’s colors on the world stage.
“Super happy for the opportunity,” Gomez said through team interpreter Kevin Vera. “Obviously, as a little kid, you imagine representing your home country. So just super happy, very grateful to be given that stage and be able to compete at the world level.”
ABS Challenge System Takes Center Stage
Away from the field, the Rays got a crash course in one of MLB’s biggest upcoming changes: the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) challenge system. Manager Kevin Cash and his staff met with MLB senior VP Michael Hill and other league officials Monday morning to go over the implementation of the system and other 2026 rule changes.
“It was good,” Cash said. “Informative.
Long, but they covered everything that they had talked about at the winter meetings, and we had a Zoom call (last week). So they’re just making sure that we hear it multiple times, which is probably a good thing.”
The Rays have already started experimenting with the system during live batting practice, testing out how and when to challenge calls. A full test of the ABS system is scheduled for Thursday at Charlotte Sports Park, ahead of the team’s first exhibition game on Saturday.
“It’ll be very fluid,” Cash said. “We’re going to track hitters, track catchers.
They’re doing it right now. … I’m excited to kind of see it.”
Palacios Adds Third Base to His Toolbox
Versatility is always a plus in Tampa Bay, and Richie Palacios is doing his part to expand his role. The 26-year-old, who’s seen most of his big-league action at second base and in the corner outfield spots, will get some reps at third base this spring as he competes for a reserve role.
“We’ve asked him, and (third base/infield coach Brady Williams) has talked to him about the importance of being able to cover that position,” Cash said. “Third is just another way for him to get at-bats and get in the lineup.”
Camp at Full Strength
With veteran DH Yandy Díaz and non-roster outfielder Edward Olivares reporting on Monday, all 67 players are now in camp. The Rays’ first full-squad workout is set for Tuesday as the team begins laying the groundwork for what they hope will be another competitive season in the AL East.