PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (WWSB) – The Tampa Rays are one of the final teams of the Grapefruit League to begin spring training for 2026. Pitchers and catchers reported today at their spring training home, the Charlotte Sports Park, in Port Charlotte.
Fans are uncertain of what to make out of this ball club for the upcoming season, but one thing they know for sure is they want better results than they’ve for the past two seasons.
Tampa Bay finished in fourth place in the American League East Division in 2025. They went 77-85 and missed the playoffs for the second straight year after making it every season from 2019 until 2023.
Shortstop Carson Williams spoke about some of the challenges that happen as the team starts to prepare to get another campaign on the diamond underway.
The Pittsburgh Pirates kick-off spring training at Pirate City in Bradenton on Wednesday
“It’s getting your feet wet, and kind of experiencing the entirety of the big leagues,” Williams said. “The pitching, the fielding, the fans and the fields. I think it just goes to show just the work that we need to put in. It’s my fifth spring training now. That’s kind of weird. I’m getting more comfortable.”
One thing fans are sure to be optimistic about is the return of Shane McClanahan. Tampa Bay’s ace hasn’t pitched since the 2023 season due to multiple serious injuries. One even included him having to have Tommy John surgery.
To say that he’s excited to be back out on the mound and with the guys in the clubhouse, would be an understatement.
“I missed this, I really did,” McClanahan said. “It’s crazy how much you miss this just like the little things like the play catch, being around the guys, the working out and just enjoying the game again. It was a long process, and I’m still healing a healing a little bit.”
The Rays first day of full team workouts is Tuesday, February 17.
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