{"id":566535,"date":"2026-02-11T17:14:17","date_gmt":"2026-02-11T17:14:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/566535\/"},"modified":"2026-02-11T17:14:17","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T17:14:17","slug":"spring-training-kicks-off-as-rays-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/566535\/","title":{"rendered":"Spring Training kicks off as Rays report"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. \u2013 Pitchers and catchers reported to camp Wednesday morning for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlb.com\/rays\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Tampa Bay Rays.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The players, along with soon to be in attendance position players, will have a busy few weeks ahead.<\/p>\n<p>What You Need To Know<\/p>\n<p>Pitcher and catchers reported to camp Wednesday morning for the Tampa Bay Rays<br \/>\n<br \/>Full spring training workouts begin on Feb. 17 and the first game is Feb. 21 vs. Atlanta in Port Charlotte<br \/>\nSPRING TRAINING: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlb.com\/spring-training\/grapefruit-league\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Grapefruit League<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Pitchers and catchers will go through physicals Wednesday, take team pictures and then get ready for the first workout of spring training on Thursday.<\/p>\n<p>Also, President of Baseball Operations Erik Neander and manager Kevin Cash are scheduled to give their first remarks of the new season to the media on Thursday. \u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This has been an offseason of moves for the Rays as there have been lots of changes to the roster, mostly through trades.<\/p>\n<p>Tampa Bay made three separate three-team trades, the moves focusing on adding versatility and future value while transitioning from several established players.<\/p>\n<p>The Rays traded away\u00a0second baseman\u00a0Brandon Lowe, starting pitcher\u00a0Shane Baz, outfielder\u00a0Josh Lowe, and left-handed reliever\u00a0Mason Montgomery. These players, along with minor leaguer Jake Mangum, were moved to acquire multiple prospects and other assets, including Cincinnati\u2019s Gavin Lux and Houston\u2019s Jacob Melton.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Speaking to MLB Network recently, Neander said he didn&#8217;t really anticipate the team making that many moves.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cJust having conversations with trusted relationships across the league,\u201d Neander said of talks with other teams. \u201cAnd I think we learned there are different ways to help out a couple, or three. Clubs a few times.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Full workouts begin on Feb. 17, and the first game is Feb. 21 against Atlanta in Port Charlotte.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, the Rays are also hosting their annual <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlb.com\/rays\/fans\/fan-fest\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Fan Fest Block Party on Saturday<\/a>, which will take place next to Tropicana Field.<\/p>\n<p>There will be a community yard sale benefiting the official charity of the Rays.<\/p>\n<p>There will also be opportunities for fans to interact with some of their favorite players and, of course, there will lots of entertainment as all the fun will begin at 1 p.m.<\/p>\n<p>Free parking will be available in lots 1, 2, 6, and 7 of the Trop.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. \u2013 Pitchers and catchers reported to camp Wednesday morning for the Tampa Bay Rays. 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