Rays' Edwin Uceta Headed For Testing On Shoulder

"Rays right-hander Edwin Uceta is headed for testing after experiencing shoulder discomfort early in camp, reports Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Uceta had been planning to pitch for his native Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, but those plans were nixed earlier in camp due to what manager Kevin Cash described as a "cranky" right shoulder. He's been resting that shoulder and attempted to play catch today but "didn't feel great" when he did so, per Cash."

"In 2024, Uceta erupted with a 1.51 ERA across 41 2/3 innings, fanning a mammoth 35.8% of the batters he faced against a minuscule 5% walk rate. His 2025 follow-up wasn't quite as dominant but still resulted in a team-leading 76 relief innings and a 3.79 earned run average. He didn't quite replicate his sensational rate stats from the '24 season, but his 32.1% strikeout rate was still excellent and his 8.4% walk rate was about average."

"His breakout has quickly thrust him into a high-leverage role. He's saved six games and picked up 28 holds in his two years as a Ray. With longtime closer Pete Fairbanks out the door, Uceta was among the favorites to take over ninth-inning duties for Cash. If this shoulder injury proves to be relatively minor, that could still be the case. For now, his spring ramp-up is on hold while the team awaits medical evaluation."

Edwin Uceta is scheduled for medical testing after experiencing right-shoulder discomfort early in spring camp, and an attempted throw in play‑catch left him feeling less than great. Uceta, 28, reached the Rays after stints with four organizations and saw his stuff sharpened by the team's pitch lab. He posted a 1.51 ERA in 2024 and followed with a 3.79 ERA over a team-leading 76 relief innings in 2025, yielding a 2.98 ERA and strong strikeout-to-walk rates across 113 2/3 innings in Tampa Bay. The injury has paused his spring ramp-up and could delay or alter plans for ninth-inning duties; the team may adjust late‑inning roles and consider trading interest in other options.

Read at MLB Trade Rumors