Shane Baz's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Tampa Bay Rays starter Shane Baz took the mound in the big leagues for the first time in almost 24 months on Friday, July 5, and delivered a quality start in the team's 3-0 loss to the Texas Rangers. Baz gave up three runs on seven hits with one walk and six strikeouts across six strong innings. The right-hander threw 92 pitches and looked as advertised in his first major-league start since July 10, 2022. The 25-year-old is now lined up to face the New York Yankees on Thursday in his second start of the season. While the Yankees have struggled at the plate of late, Baz is still a risky option in Week 16. This matchup will be a great test for the Rays starter.

The Tampa Bay Rays officially recalled right-hander Shane Baz from Triple-A Durham ahead of his start on Friday against the Texas Rangers, his first start in the big leagues since July 10, 2022. In a corresponding move, reliever Justin Sterner was optioned to Durham. The team's former top prospect should now already be rostered in most fantasy leagues after the Rays traded Aaron Civale to the Milwaukee Brewers earlier this week to make room in their starting rotation for Baz. The 25-year-old missed all of last year while recovering from Tommy John surgery. While the Rays could be quite careful with Baz's workload the rest of the 2024 season, he should remain locked into their rotation and has considerable upside in all fantasy leagues. If he's somehow available on your waiver wire, add him ASAP.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane Baz has claimed the fifth spot in the Tampa starting rotation after Aaron Civale was traded to Milwaukee, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Civale was originally scheduled to make his next start on Friday, so fantasy managers should pay close attention, as Baz could be making his 2024 major league debut in the coming days. The 25-year-old underwent Tommy John surgery in 2022 and has yet to return to the major leagues ever since. In 39 innings at Triple-A this season, Baz has posted a 4.12 ERA and 1.58 WHIP with a 23:44 BB:K ratio. However, in his past 23 innings, he has begun to showcase his elite upside with an excellent 1.57 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and 10:35 BB:K ratio. Baz should be rostered in all formats due to his high-upside strikeout potential.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Aaron Civale was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday, July 3, in exchange for infielder Gregory Barrios. Civale has struggled in his first season in Tampa Bay with a poor 5.07 ERA and 1.38 WHIP. Barrios was ranked as the 21st-best prospect in the Milwaukee system on MLB Pipeline prior to the trade and now slots in at No. 19 in the Tampa Bay system. In 61 games at High-A this season, the 20-year-old has performed very well with a .325/.367/.429 slash line. Civale should be expected to slot into Milwaukee's starting rotation immediately. Rays 25-year-old Shane Baz now has an excellent opportunity to join the major-league roster due to the departure of Civale. In his past five starts at Triple-A, Baz has posted a stellar 1.57 ERA and 1.30 WHIP with an eye-catching 35 strikeouts in just 23 innings. He is a must-roster playing going forward, as he has immense strikeout upside.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane Baz was scratched from his start on Tuesday evening at Triple-A Durham as he may be needed to provide depth on the major league roster, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. The Rays are scheduled to play against the Royals on Wednesday and Thursday, but there are concerns about rain, and the teams may have to play a doubleheader on one of those days. As a result, this could present Baz an opportunity to make his 2024 major league debut. Since allowing six runs on May 28, the 25-year-old right-hander has looked dominant with a 1.57 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and a 10:35 BB:K ratio across 23 frames at Triple-A. Baz underwent Tommy John surgery in 2022 and has yet to return to the major leagues. The former first-round selection has elite strikeout potential and is worth checking your waiver wire for, as he could be a valuable pitcher during the second half of the summer in all formats.