While the Tampa Bay Rays' signing of free-agent relief pitcher Phil Maton is pending a physical exam and may not be finalized until next week, the framework of the deal is now in place, per Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin. The 30-year-old is set to make $6.25 million in 2024, with a 2025 option for $7.75 million or a $250,000 buyout. Maton had the best season of his career in 2023 with the Houston Astros, going 4-3 with a 3.00 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 27.0% strikeout rate to go with 10 holds in 66 innings pitched. Maton will likely not be in line for save opportunities with the Rays, but he should see hold opportunities, making him a fantasy option in deeper saves-plus-holds leagues.

Free-agent right-hander Phil Maton is finalizing an undisclosed deal with the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday, according to a source. Maton had the best season of his career in 2023 with the Houston Astros, going 4-3 with a 3.00 ERA (3.74 FIP), a 1.12 WHIP, his second career save, 25 walks and 74 strikeouts in 66 relief innings. In the last two seasons with the Astros, he has a combined 3.42 ERA (4.03 FIP) and 1.18 WHIP with 49 walks and 147 punchouts in 131 2/3 relief frames. Pete Fairbanks and Jason Adam should see most of Tampa's high-leverage closing situations at the back end of the bullpen in 2024, but the 30-year-old Maton should be a valuable late-inning setup piece in front of them this year. An impressive 26.5 percent strikeout rate for his career should make him valuable in deep holds leagues in 2024.

Houston Astros relief pitcher Phil Maton (elbow) punched out three batters over a scoreless inning with Triple-A Sugar Land. This was Maton's first rehab appearance and the line certainly looks impressive. Maton hit the 15-day injured list back on August 12 after being struck by a line drive on the elbow. There was no structural damage, thankfully, and he should be ready to rejoin the Astros shortly. The 30-year-old operated as one of Houston's better relievers before sustaining the injury, posting a 3.04 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 58:31 K/BB ratio over 53 1/3 innings to go along with eight holds. He doesn't offer much fantasy value outside of leagues that factor in holds but Houston uses him in a variety of ways, not just high-leverage, so he's hard to count on.

Houston Astros relief pitcher Phil Maton (elbow) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday. The right-hander is only expected to need one appearance before rejoining the Astros bullpen. Maton has been sidelined since August 12 due to a bruised elbow. Before landing on the injured list, Maton held a 3.04 ERA with a 54/22 K/BB ratio in 53.1 innings of work. Fantasy managers should expect him back on the Astros roster as early as next week.

The Houston Astros placed right-hander Phil Maton (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Saturday. Maton was struck on the right elbow by a comebacker during his appearance in Friday's game against the Angels. The 30-year-old will miss at least the next two weeks. He owns a 3.04 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and a 58:21 K: BB across 53 1/3 innings in 2023. Parker Mushinski was called up from Triple-A Sugar Land in a corresponding move. Mushinski owns a 2.79 ERA and 11:3 K: BB in 9 2/3 innings with the Astros in 2023.

Houston Astros relief pitcher Phil Maton picked up his first save of the season Sunday, holding on to secure a crucial 9-8 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday Night Baseball. With Ryan Pressly, Hector Neris, and Bryan Abreu unavailable in this one, Maton was asked to close out a back-and-forth affair. After surrendering a homer to Shohei Ohtani and putting two more Angels on base, Maton escaped with the save. He is unlikely to see many save opportunities with Pressly as the clear closer and others in front of him on the depth chart, but he has pitched well for the Astros this year. Maton doesn't have much fantasy value.

Houston Astros relief pitcher Phil Maton (hand) is reportedly out for the remainder of the postseason, according to a tweet from The Houston Chronicle's Chandler Rome on Tuesday. Per Rome's tweet, the reliever "fractured the fifth metacarpal in his right pinkie finger after punching his locker in disappointment after his final regular season outing on Wednesday. He had surgery yesterday and is out for the postseason." The right-hander appeared in 67 games for the Astros this season, logging a 3.84 ERA and a 4.33 FIP in 65.2 innings of work. He's also registered 73 strikeouts compared to just 24 walks allowed. What's more, the 29-year-old turned in 14 holds.