Zack Littell DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Zack Littell improved to 4-5 on the season by holding the visiting Twins to just one run on three hits over 6 1/3 innings on Monday night. He didn't get any run support until the sixth inning when a three-run home run from Jonathan Aranda opened the scoring. Littell got one out in the seventh but departed after hitting Ty France with one out. The bullpen gave up a home run to Carlos Correa, allowing France to score for Littell's only run allowed. He only had four strikeouts, but he continues to be effective. He has allowed two earned runs or fewer in five of his last six starts while going 4-0 with a 2.95 ERA and 4.46 FIP during that span. He has been especially sharp at home, but he'll be on the road for his next start, which is scheduled for Saturday in Houston. He faced the Astros last Tuesday, allowing two runs in five innings with six strikeouts in a no-decision.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Zack Littell continued his impressive stretch on Thursday, shutting out the Boston Red Sox for seven innings and earning his eighth win in a 2-0 victory. Littell was completely dominant in this one, allowing just one hit and walking no one while punching out seven. This makes three straight outings where the 28-year-old hasn't given up a run or allowed more than three hits. It's been a good campaign overall for Littell, and he could earn himself a spot in Tampa's 2025 rotation with the way he's pitched. The righty has one start left this year against the feisty Detroit Tigers, and fantasy managers who are in a pickle certainly could do worse than Littell.

The Tampa Bay Rays activated right-hander Zack Littell (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list on Sunday and also selected the contract of catcher Logan Driscoll from the minors. Littell is scheduled to make his first start back from the IL on Monday in the series opener against the Minnesota Twins at Tropicana Field. The 28-year-old didn't require a minor-league rehab assignment after leaving his last start early on Aug. 14 against the Houston Astros with right-shoulder soreness. Fantasy managers in mixed leagues will want to pounce on Littell if he's available on the waiver wire. While his 21.1% strikeout rate doesn't exactly stand out, he allowed five runs (three earned) with five walks and 16 K's in his last four starts before getting hurt. On June 20 against the Twins, he gave up just two earned runs while striking out five in five innings for a no-decision.

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said on Wednesday that right-hander Zack Littell (shoulder) is progressing well and that he threw a "simulated live session," so there is hope that he can be penciled back into the starting rotation sometime during the upcoming homestand that runs from Friday, Aug. 30, through Thursday, Sept. 5. Cash said Littell, who last pitched on Aug. 14 due to right-shoulder fatigue, is not likely to need a minor-league rehab assignment before coming off the 15-day injured list. The 28-year-old will be in play in deep-mixed leagues when he's back. Although he didn't go beyond 5 1/3 innings in any of his three August starts, he gave up just five runs (three earned) while walking four and striking out 11 in 15 2/3 innings. Littell has a nice 4.7% walk rate and a 21.1% strikeout rate in 2024, which is his highest mark since 2021.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Zack Littell (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day injured list with right-shoulder fatigue. In a corresponding move, the Rays recalled southpaw Tyler Alexander from Triple-A Durham. Littell was enjoying a nice hot stretch before the injury as he held a strong 1.19 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and a 5:16 BB:K ratio across his previous three outings (22 2/3 innings). Overall, through the season, the 28-year-old has posted a 3.89 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and a 26:116 BB:K ratio. Alexander has carried a hefty 5.20 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP through 71 frames this season. Fantasy managers should expect Alexander to contend for the open spot in the rotation with Drew Rasmussen, who recently returned from the 60-day IL, while Littell remains sidelined.