Steven Matz
Breakdown
Performance
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May 5, 2026
Absence expected to be brief
Matz's (elbow) stint on the 15-day injured list is not expected to last long, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Analysis
Matz was placed on the IL earlier Tuesday with left elbow inflammation. He felt soreness in the elbow after his last outing, but an MRI came back negative and the belief is the injury was caught early. It's unclear when Matz might be ready to throw again, but he could be ready to rejoin the Rays' rotation later this month if all goes well.
May 5, 2026
Lands on IL with elbow inflammation
The Rays placed Matz on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with left elbow inflammation, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.
Analysis
The injury seemingly came out of nowhere, as Matz had authored two straight quality starts, including tossing six innings of one-run ball against the Giants on Sunday. It's unclear whether he will undergo any additional testing, but even in a best-case scenario, Matz is likely looking at longer than a minimum 15-day absence. Joe Boyle (elbow) and Mason Englert (forearm) are both starting rehab assignments Wednesday and are options to take Matz's rotation spot when they're ready, but the club will need someone else to slot into the rotation this weekend in Boston.
May 4, 2026
Cruises through six innings vs. SFG
Matz didn't factor into the decision Sunday against the Giants, allowing one run on four hits and two walks with one strikeout across six innings.
Analysis
The Giants entered Sunday 29th in OPS as a team, and they managed to score two total runs in the three-game set with Tampa Bay. Matz was just the latest starter to sit San Francisco down with relative ease. The left-hander has now posted back-to-back quality starts, though he clearly didn't have the strikeout stuff going Sunday. Matz has been solid in his return to starting this season, registering a 4-1 record, 3.86 ERA and 28:13 K:BB across 37.1 innings. He's lined up to start in Boston during next weekend's four-game series.