Tampa Bay Rays Option Speedy Chandler Simpson To Triple-A originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Chandler Simpson is headed back to Triple-A Durham on Friday, being sent down by the Tampa Bay Rays to make room for outfielder Jake Mangum. Mangum was reinstated to the Rays’ roster after spending time on the 10-day Injured List due to a left groin strain.
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Simpson has been a nightmare for opposing teams on the basepaths. He especially was, as Houston Astros manager Joe Espada termed him, “a pain in the ass” for many MLB teams.
Mark Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reported the move on X.
Simpson just totally mesmerized Rays fans with his speed. He was able to get into position to score runs thanks to his stolen-base efforts.
Chandler Simpson proved to be a menace on the basepaths for Tampa Bay this season
In his 31 career MLB games, Simpson totaled 32 hits, 14 stolen bases, and zero errors in outfield, according to statistics offered by OptaSTATS. No other player since 1901 has matched that stat line through 31 career games.
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After Thursday night’s 13-3 shellacking of the Astros, Simpson talked about getting on base and, as he liked to put it, wreak havoc for opposing teams. He worked a walk off an Astros pitcher, then literally ran his way into a run for Tampa Bay.
“It’s a perfect example,” Simpson said, according to MLB.com. “Just able to work a walk, get on base, see my chances, take second, take third, and I was grateful for the error so I was able to score.”
Rays fans shouldn’t be too disappointed by this move as Simpson probably will find his way back to the big-league roster again this season.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.