Mead went 1-for-3 with an RBI and two stolen bases Sunday against the Yankees.
Mead has been quiet since taking over the primary second base job with Brandon Lowe (oblique) sidelined, as he's gone just 8-for-40 with no extra-base hits. However, he enjoyed a productive Sunday, tallying an RBI single in the eighth inning while also recording the first stolen bases of his big-league career. Despite his struggles, Mead's playing time appears relatively safe, as he's started 11 of the last 13 games for the Rays.
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Rays' Curtis Mead: Not in Tuesday's lineup
Rotowire
Mead is absent from the lineup for Tuesday's contest against the Angels.
Mead had started six of the last seven games, including three straight, at second base since Brandon Lowe (oblique) went down, but he will yield to Amed Rosario in this one. The 23-year-old Mead has managed just a .577 OPS this season and is still looking for his first RBI.
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Rays' Curtis Mead: Garners third straight start
Rotowire
Mead will start at second base and bat fifth in Wednesday's game against the Angels, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
The rookie will man the keystone for the third day in a row, though he'll be doing so against a right-handed starting pitcher (Jose Soriano) on Wednesday after his previous two starts came versus southpaws. He had been occupying the short side of a platoon with Brandon Lowe, but Mead could be poised for a regular spot in the lineup versus right-handed pitching after manager Kevin Cash indicated that Lowe tweaked his right oblique while warming up prior to Tuesday's 6-4 win. According to Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun, Cash said that it's "fair to say" that Lowe will miss some time, so expect the veteran to be placed on the 10-day injured list prior to Friday's series opener versus the Giants. Through 27 plate appearances this season, Mead has slashed .292/.370/.292 with two runs scored.
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Rays' Curtis Mead: First start against righty
Rotowire
Mead went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored Monday against the Rangers.
Mead had been in the lineup once through the Rays' first four games, which came against lefty Yusei Kikuchi. He got a chance at third base Monday against Dane Dunning, filling in for Isaac Paredes at third base, but he is still likely to see his playing time primarily come against southpaws.
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Rays' Curtis Mead: Expected to make roster
Rotowire
Mead appears to have won a roster spot with the Rays this spring, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Mead looked to be on the wrong side of a roster crunch entering spring training, but injuries to Jonny DeLuca (hand) and Josh Lowe (oblique) have Amed Rosario projected to see more time in the outfield. With the Rays also optioning Osleivis Basabe on Monday, Mead appears to have a clear path to a roster spot. He doesn't project to start regularly, but he could get some short-side platoon at-bats and will provide insurance at both second and third base.
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Rays' Curtis Mead: Could benefit from DeLuca injury
Rotowire
Mead may have a clearer path to the Opening Day roster due to the injury to Jonny DeLuca (hand), Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Mead may have been blocked from a roster spot with everyone healthy, but with DeLuca likely to be sidelined for the early portions of the regular season, Amed Rosario could see more time in the outfield. That shift would open a spot for a right-handed bench bat along the infield, with Mead fitting the bill. He made a very brief big-league debut in 2023, posting a .253/.326/.349 line across 92 plate appearances.
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Rays' Curtis Mead: Roster spot not guaranteed
Rotowire
Mead may lose out on a roster spot to begin the season after the Rays signed Amed Rosario, John Romano of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Mead was expected to have a strong chance to make the Opening Day roster as a backup at second and third base. However, Rosario is also a versatile infielder and right-handed batter, and this fits a similar projected role as Mead. Positively, manager Kevin Cash has praised Mead for the progress he's made with the glove, which could open up an opportunity later in the season, if not immediately.
Mead is starting at second base and batting fifth in Tuesday's Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series versus the Rangers.
Mead didn't even seem to be a given to be included on the roster, so the fact that he's starting Game 1 and batting fifth has to be a nice boost to the rookie's confidence. He and his teammates will be squaring off against left-hander Jordan Montgomery.
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Rays' Curtis Mead: Pops first homer
Rotowire
Mead went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 6-2 loss against the Blue Jays.
Mead hit his first career home run in the seventh inning with a 337-foot liner off Chris Bassitt. The 22-year-old rookie has struggled to see much playing time during the Rays' playoff push, as he's received only five starts and 21 plate appearances since being recalled Sept. 12. Mead is slashing .281/.359/.421 in 64 big-league plate appearances.
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Rays' Curtis Mead: Back in big leagues
Rotowire
Mead was recalled from Triple-A Durham on Tuesday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.
He's taking the roster spot of the injured Jose Siri (hand). Mead will provide some infield protection with Isaac Paredes (hand) banged up, although Paredes' return to the lineup is seemingly imminent.
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Rays' Curtis Mead: Sent back to minors
Rotowire
Mead was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Mead had posted an .823 OPS during a modest six-game hitting streak, but he hasn't been playing much. The Rays have elected to replace him on the roster with the more versatile Vidal Brujan.
