Josh Lowe DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Josh Lowe (oblique) took 20 dry swings on Saturday and did not feel any pain in his oblique. Ryan Bass of the Tampa Bay Rays reported that the outfielder hopes to begin hitting off a tee next week if he continues to progress. This is an excellent sign for the 27-year-old as he has been on the injured list since March 29 due to a right oblique strain. Fantasy managers should monitor his progress as he could face live pitching in the coming weeks if he does not face any setbacks. Before the injury, the 27-year-old appeared in just one contest and tallied one hit. Last season, Lowe was limited by injuries as well, appearing in just 106 games and posting a .241/.302/.391 slash line. When Lowe does return, he will likely have an everyday role in right field.

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Josh Lowe (oblique) is improving nicely from a Grade 2 right-oblique strain that he suffered on Opening Day. "Josh is actually moving pretty pain free, which we're encouraged by that. It's still a ways, but we got to be happy with the way he's his body is feeling," manager Kevin Cash said. Lowe still has a ways to go before the Rays think about activating him from the IL, but so far he's making good progress from an injury that sidelined him last year as well. It remains to be seen when Lowe will resume baseball activities, but it seems unlikely that we'll see him back in the big leagues before the end of April. In the meantime, given all the injuries to Tampa Bay's outfielders -- Jonny DeLuca just went on the IL on Tuesday with a shoulder ailment -- both Kameron Misner and Jake Mangum will see regular playing time for the Rays.

The Tampa Bay Rays placed outfielder Josh Lowe (oblique) on the 10-day injured list on Saturday with a right-oblique strain and recalled outfielder Jake Mangum from Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move, according to the Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin. Lowe strained his oblique on a single up the middle in the team's Opening Day win over the visiting Colorado Rockies on Friday and will probably not be ready to return from the IL when he's eligible. The 27-year-old is worth stashing in fantasy leagues where he's rostered while he heals, mainly for his stolen base prowess while he's healthy, but this is another reminder that in addition to a strikeout rate that spiked at 31.8 percent in 2024, Lowe's durability at the major-league level has been a big issue. Rookie Kameron Misner, who hit a walk-off homer on Friday for his first career long ball, is likely to start in right field in Tampa in Lowe's absence.

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Josh Lowe (rib) left Friday's game in the fifth inning against the visiting Colorado Rockies with right-oblique discomfort. Lowe singled up the middle in the fifth inning but was seen wincing during his swing before jogging gingerly to first base. The 27-year-old left-handed hitter was visibly upset before being pulled and replaced by Jose Caballero in right field. He missed time with an oblique injury in 2024 and has quickly developed an injury-prone label, so fantasy managers may want to prepare for an extended absence for an injury that will almost certainly land him on the injured list. Lowe has stolen 57 bags in the last two years but also had a strikeout rate over 30% last year. Kameron Misner, who has shown a decent power/speed combination in the minors for the Rays, could see an elevated role in the outfield going forward if Lowe is forced to miss extended time.

Tampa Bay Rays infielder Jonathan Aranda and outfielder Josh Lowe are out of the team's starting lineup on Tuesday against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park with a left-hander on the mound. Brandon Lowe will start at first base and bat second, with Jonny DeLuca manning right field and hitting third for the Rays versus Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal. Skubal is one of the best all-around pitchers in the game, so DFS managers will probably be looking to fade both Lowe and DeLuca on Tuesday. Aranda has gone deep in three straight games but will get a day off with a tough southpaw on the mound. Since being called back up on Aug. 30, he has hit .274 (17-for-62) with five homers, four doubles and 10 RBI in 20 games. Josh Lowe has hit just .227 (10-for-44) with none of his 10 home runs and 16 strikeouts in 49 plate appearances against lefties in 2024.