Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Richie Palacios (knee) is starting a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham on Tuesday and could return from the 10-day injured list next week. Palacios has been out since July 31 due to a right-knee sprain and is trying to rejoin the big-league roster right before the end of the regular season. The 27-year-old will be a non-factor the rest of the way in fantasy as outfield depth in Tampa. The former third-rounder of the Cleveland Guardians in 2018 out of Towson University is in his first year with Tampa and has hit .233/.350/.332 with a below-average .682 OPS, five home runs, a career-high 21 RBI and a career-high 19 stolen bases in 301 plate appearances over 88 games for the Rays. Palacio's speed is what makes him attractive as outfield depth in deep-mixed and AL-only fantasy formats.

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder/infielder Richie Palacios (knee) landed on the injured list on Aug. 2 with a right-knee sprain and was expected to miss four to six weeks, but manager Kevin Cash was optimistic that Palacios could return this season. Palacios is working to regain the range of motion in his knee before resuming workouts or baseball activities. "Tried to play through it, because I try to play through everything. Took a step and then didn't feel so good," Palacios said on Aug. 10. "I'm optimistic about everything. ... I know that whatever happens, whatever I'm in, I'm gonna figure it out." The 27-year-old's injury has opened up more playing time in the outfield for the likes of Dylan Carlson and Jonny DeLuca. Palacios has mostly been useful for his speed in fantasy in 2024, stealing a career-high 19 bases while hitting .233 (59-for-253) with five homers and 21 RBI in 88 games.

The Tampa Bay Rays announced on Wednesday that outfielder Richie Palacios (knee) left the series finale against the visiting Miami Marlins with right-knee discomfort. Palacios is considered day-to-day. The 27-year-old walked in his lone plate appearance and then stolen his 19th base of the season and scored a run early in the contest before departing. He injured his knee while sliding into second base on his steal. Palacios was replaced by new trade acquisition Dylan Carlson in left field. With a scheduled off day coming on Thursday, Palacios could be back for Friday's series opener against the Astros in Houston. The former third-rounder of the Cleveland Guardians in 2018 out of Towson is mainly valuable in fantasy leagues for his speed, as he's hitting just .233 (59-for-253) with a .680 OPS and five homers in 87 games in his first year in Tampa.UPDATE: Manager Kevin Cash said Palacios has a hyperextended right knee, and they'll see how he feels on Thursday before their flight to Houston.

Tampa Bay Rays infielder Richie Palacios went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer in a 4-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday. Palacios launched a two-run shot off of Toronto starter Chris Bassitt in the sixth inning as part of a three-run frame for the Rays. The veteran infielder has been productive for the Rays this season, hitting .259 with four homers, 19 runs, 11 RBI, and six steals across 112 at-bats. Palacios has been scuffling a bit at the plate of late, hitting just .185 over his past seven games, so hopefully his homer on Friday night will get him going.

The Tampa Bay Rays acquired left-handed-hitting outfielder Richie Palacios from the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday in exchange for right-handed reliever Andrew Kittredge, according to a source. Palacios made his debut for the Cardinals in 2023 when he was promoted on Aug. 18, and he posted an impressive .823 OPS with six home runs and 16 RBI in 102 plate appearances over 32 games to close out the year. In his rookie season in 2022, the 26-year-old hit .232 (26-for-112) with no homers and 10 RBI in 54 games for the Cleveland Guardians. He'll effectively be replacing Luke Raley, who was shipped to the Seattle Mariners on Friday, as a lefty hitting outfield bat for Tampa in 2024. But with Randy Arozarena, Jose Siri and Josh Lowe serving as regulars, Palacios should open the year as more of a fourth outfielder that will get bats here and there against right-handers.