ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays will have a new look in 2018.A lingering question entering spring training is to what extent.Evan Longoria is gone. So are Alex Cobb, Logan Morrison and Lucas Duda.Jake Odorizzi, and maybe even two-time All-Star Chris Archer or closer Alex Colome, could be on the way out, too, with the budget-minded team committed to trimming payroll while also trying to remain competitive in the tough AL East.Closing the gap on defending division champion Boston and the big-spending New York Yankees, who've added Giancarlo Stanton after coming within one victory of reaching the World Series, won't be easy.The Rays finished 80-82 in 2017, their fourth consecutive losing record on the heels of a stretch in which they made the playoffs four times in six seasons."It's a challenge. You can't sugarcoat it," manager Kevin Cash, entering his fourth season, said of the Yankees adding Stanton, baseball's home run leader, to an already potent batting order."I've already... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Closer Alex Colome and All-Star designated hitter/outfielder Corey Dickerson are among seven players who agreed to one-year contracts with the Tampa Bay Rays, avoiding salary arbitration.Infielders Matt Duffy and Brad Miller, outfielder Steven Souza, Jr., catcher Jesus Sucre and relief pitcher Dan Jennings also reached terms before Friday's deadline for players and teams to exchange proposed salaries for next season.Pitcher Jake Odorizzi and shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria are Tampa Bay's only arbitration-eligible players who didn't agree to deals. Odorizzi's case set to be settled by an arbiter for the second straight winter.The 27-year-old right-hander won his arbitration case last February, receiving a raise from $520,700 to $4.1 million. He went 10-8 with a 4.14 ERA in 28 starts last season.This time, Odorizzi is seeking $6.3 million while the Rays are offering $6.05 million.Hechavarria, acquired in a trade from Miami in June, is asking for $5.9 million after... [More]

Souza is not in the lineup Friday against the Blue Jays, Roger Mooney of The Tampa Tribune reports.

Souza had been seeing regular playing time in right field as of late, recording hits in each of his last five games. However, with lefty Mark Buehrle set to take the hill for the Blue Jays, Souza will take a seat in place of Mikie Mahtook, who will hit second in the order Friday.

Souza went 4-for-5 with his 16th homer and two runs scored against the Red Sox on Wednesday.

The big day represented Souza's first hits in exactly a week, as he'd been on an 0-for-10 stretch (albeit with five walks) since last Wednesday's two hits against the Yankees. It's been an injury-derailed and whiff-filled year for the talented outfielder, but this is only his first full-ish season in the big leagues, and the power and speed certainly play; look for him to put in work on his contact skills over the winter.

Souza is not in the lineup Monday against the Red Sox, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune reports.

Souza will be held out of the lineup for a second straight game, as Mike Mahtook has been seeing more regular playing time in his place. Mahtook will get the start in right field Monday, batting second.

Souza is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Yankees, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.

Souza was able to start four straight games after returning from the disabled list last week, but he will be held out Tuesday after striking out five times over the previous two games. Mikie Mahtook will get the start in right field in Souza's place.

Souza (hand) is back in the lineup Friday, Steve Carney of 620 WDAE reports.

As expected, Souza will return to the lineup after finishing up a rehab assignment at High-A Charlotte earlier in the week. Souza, who is hitting just .214 with 34 RBI on the season, has not played since August 1. He'll bat sixth and man right field Friday.

Souza (hand) will likely rejoin the Rays on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Souza made it through his rehab assignment without a setback, but he will be checked out by team doctors Thursday before being given the green light to resume playing for the big club. As long as everything checks out Thursday, Souza will likely be in the lineup when the Rays kick off a series with the Red Sox on Friday.

Souza (hand) will play two more games at High-A Charlotte before being reevaluated, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune reports.

If everything checks out, Souza could be back with the Rays as early as Thursday, and he can't remain with Charlotte later than Friday, when the Florida State League's regular season comes to an end.

Souza (hand) is likely to play a few more rehab games at High-A Charlotte before returning ot the Rays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Charlotte will not be making the Florida State League playoffs, so there are only three more games remaining on its schedule. That means the latest Souza can stay with them is Thursday, which could set up a Friday return for him. It's not too surprising that Souza needs more time to rehab, considering he has missed over a month of major league playing time.

Souza (hand) will play three games during a rehab assignment at Triple-A Durham before being reevaluated, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

With Souza beginning the assignment Saturday, he'll be set for an evaluation Monday. Thus far, all has gone well, and Souza reported "no soreness anywhere" after taking swings Friday. The outfielder remains on track to rejoin the Rays midway through the month.

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Steven Souza will play three games during a rehab assignment at Triple-A Durham while recovering from a hand injury, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Steven Souza will play three games during a rehab assignment at Triple-A Durham while recovering from a hand injury, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Souza, who is expected to be activated later this month, will be evaluated Monday.

Souza (hand) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham on Saturday, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune reports.

The plan calls for Souza to play for Durham on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, with an eye toward returning before the end of next week's series in Detroit. Souza resumed swinging last week and progressed to on-field batting practice Wednesday.

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Steven Souza will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham on Saturday as he continues to recover from a hand injury, according to the Tampa Tribune.

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Steven Souza will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham on Saturday as he continues to recover from a hand injury, according to the Tampa Tribune. Souza has not played since Aug. 2 after breaking a bone in his right hand, but he took live batting practice on Wednesday and is nearing a return.

Souza (hand) has resumed swinging and is still on pace to join the club by mid-September, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Souza also underwent an X-ray on his hand, nearly four weeks after suffering the initial fracture, and said everything went well. The initial 4-to-6 week timetable still appears to be in play, but the 26-year-old will likely need to head on a rehab stint before being cleared for major league action.

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Steven Souza, out since Aug. 1 with a left hand fracture, is expected to return in mid-September, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Steven Souza, out since Aug. 1 with a left hand fracture, is expected to return in mid-September, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Souza has resumed swinging after X-rays were negative.

Souza (hand) is aiming to rejoin the Rays by mid-September, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

That return date would put Souza at the far end of the four-to-six week recovery timetable he was given after suffering a left hand fracture Aug. 1. With Souza only expected to see around two weeks of playing time the rest of the way, those holding him in single-season mixed leagues might be best off cutting bait.

Souza is expected to miss 4-6 weeks due to a left hand fracture, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Souza was placed on the disabled list Saturday with a broken right hand, and is expected to endure the typical recovery timetable for this type of injury. The Rays currently sit at fourth place in the AL East, and if they're still relevant in September, Souza could return just in time. In the meantime, Brandon Guyer should see extra work in right field.

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Steven Souza is expected to miss up to six weeks because of a left hand fracture, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Steven Souza is expected to miss up to six weeks because of a left hand fracture, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Souza was placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday after suffering the injury Saturday against the Boston Red Sox. It was initially feared that the injury could sideline Souza for the remainder of the season, so the updated timeline is certainly good news. Grady Sizemore, Brandon Guyer and Joey Butler are all expected to see additional playing time in right field. Souza was recently activated from the disabled list after recovering from a hand injury, and it is unclear if the recent issue complicated the previous one. He is hitting just .212 this season but has hit 15 home runs and stolen 10 bases in 88 games, his first year in the majors playing more than 21, which he did last season with the Washington Nationals.

Souza was placed on the disabled list Sunday with a broken left hand, Steve Carney of 620 WDAE AM reports.

Souza exited Sunday's game early with what was initially believed to be a hand contusion, but an X-ray has revealed an even worse diagnosis. The injury could threaten the remainder of his season, which would then leave the combination of Grady Sizemore, Brandon Guyer and Joey Butler in right field if that indeed turns out to be the case.