AL East: Spring training questions

For the first full week of PT TOMORROW coverage, we asked authors to focus on one specific question per team as spring training begins. 

 

Tampa Bay Rays

After a flurry of offseason activity, who will emerge in Tampa Bay’s outfield?

Cedric Mullins, signed to a one-year, $7.5 million contract in the offseason, is the only outfielder considered a true lock to break camp with Tampa Bay. Mullins seems assured to play center field against right-handed starters, though his playing time against left-handed starters is less certain. Beyond Mullins, Tampa Bay likely has room for four more outfielders, two left-handed hitters and two right-handed hitters, in what should be a platoon-heavy outfield.

Among left-handed hitters, Chandler Simpson and

More From PT Tomorrow

CJ Kayfus had a bad night in left field on Sunday. Could it hurt his playing time going forward? Plus, a look at early lineups in CHW and DET, the closer situation in KC, and positional flexibility for the Twins C.J. Culpepper.
Apr 2 2026 3:05am
With Bryan Abreu's early season struggles, is there a change to be made at closer in Houston?
Apr 1 2026 3:05am
Jesús Sánchez (pictured) and Nathan Lukes are jockeying for at-bats in left field for Toronto. Plus, more fallout from the first weekend of action in 2026.
Mar 31 2026 3:05am
This week's NL West column answers the lineup questions we posed at the beginning of spring training.
Mar 28 2026 3:05am

Tools