Rays manager Kevin Cash said Sunday that Uceta arrived at camp with a slightly “cranky shoulder” and won’t be available to pitch for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic as a result, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Cash labeled the Uceta’s decision to pull out of the WBC as “precautionary” and intimated that the Rays fully expect the right-handed reliever to be ready to go for Opening Day, even though he’s likely to be slow played during spring training. The Rays head into the upcoming season without a set closer after letting Pete Fairbanks (team-high 27 saves in 2025) walk in free agency, and Uceta could be a candidate to factor into the team’s late-inning mix if his shoulder isn’t a concern. The 28-year-old netted one save and 21 holds over 70 appearances last season while racking up an impressive 103 strikeouts across 76 frames.
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