Tristan Gray’s seventh-inning solo blast lifts the Rays to a 5-4 win over the White Sox, as Tampa Bay leans on midseason depth after Adrian Houser’s return to the scene. Chicago struck early with Kyle Teel’s 405-foot homer, but Gray’s clutch shot and a Rays offensive burst—Josh Lowe and Richie Palacios go deep—settle the late-seeing narrative. The game also highlights a July trade that sent Houser from Chicago to Tampa Bay, a move that reverberates through the pitching dominoes for both sides.

For fantasy players, the storyline centers on Rays depth and the White Sox’s incremental contributors. Gray’s breakout moment and the continued value of bench depth in Tampa Bay contrast with Chicago’s midseason shuffles and impact from veterans like Benintendi, whose RBI tied the game before the decisive swing. This game underscores how back-of-rotation or minors-to-major moves can tilt tight matchups in late-season fantasy decisions.

Rays pounded Seattle pitching to a 10-2 win in Tampa, riding a early offensive barrage and a late burst to pull away. Castillo labored four innings, surrendering five runs on five hits, including a three-run homer that doomed his line, while Emerson Hancock looked sharp in a bullpen cameo but the Rays kept a relentless attack. Tristan Gray provided a late dagger with a two-run shot in the eighth, and Randy Arozarena returned to a roaring ovation with a productive, speedy plate appearance. Seattle managed just 10 hits and left most rallies stranded, exposing gaps in both its rotation and lineup against Tampa Bay’s attack.

Fantasy takeaway: Castillo’s recent form remains precarious in hostile environments, so keep him on the bench in tough park starts until he proves droughts can end. The Rays’ home power remains a reliable source of fantasy upside, while Hancock’s velocity spike is intriguing for bullpen usage. In deeper leagues, follow Rays’ hot handers and monitor Seattle’s bullpen rollouts and split-starts as they navigate a challenging schedule.

The Chicago White Sox have made several roster moves as they prepare for the upcoming season. They signed infielder Brandon Drury to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training, aiming to rejuvenate his performance after a disappointing 2024 season with the Los Angeles Angels, where he struggled with a .169 batting average.

In addition to Drury, the team claimed left-handed pitcher Brandon Eisert off waivers from Tampa Bay and secured a minor league deal with infielder Tristan Gray. Eisert made his major league debut last year, while Gray has seen limited action in the majors.

To accommodate Eisert on the 40-man roster, the Sox designated right-hander Steven Wilson for assignment. Wilson had a challenging 2024 season, posting a 5.71 ERA over 40 relief appearances. The White Sox also reported that outfielder Zach DeLoach cleared waivers and will be assigned to Triple-A Charlotte.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are actively reshaping their roster as they prepare for the 2025 season, with several recent transactions highlighting their strategy. The team has signed outfielder Camden Sanders to a minor league contract and assigned him to the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians. Sanders, a Canadian from London, Ontario, was previously unselected in the 2024 MLB Draft. He showcased promise in high school, where he excelled in multiple sports and earned recognition as a top outfielder in Ontario.

In addition to Sanders, the Pirates have made noteworthy moves by signing veteran outfielder Andrew McCutchen to a one-year deal worth $5 million, while designating infielder Tristan Gray for assignment. The team has also re-signed pitcher Ryder Ryan to a minor league contract. Furthermore, a trade was executed with the Boston Red Sox, where the Pirates sent right-handed pitcher Matt McShane for Chase Shugart, who has MLB experience. The Pirates’ Spring Training begins on February 12, leading into a season opener against the Miami Marlins on March 27.