CLEARWATER (DA) — Richie Palacios is back on Tampa Bay’s opening-day roster after the Rays placed second baseman Gavin Lux on the injured list with what the club called a right shoulder impingement.
Palacios, who has Curaçao heritage, now gets another opportunity with Tampa Bay after an injury-hit 2025 season.
“I’m excited for Richie. That was a fun phone call to make,” manager Kevin Cash said before Monday’s 7-0 spring win over the Philadelphia Phillies at BayCare Ballpark. “He helps our team. I’ve said it many years now, when he’s healthy, he can help you do a lot of things to win — defensively, on the bases, certainly gets good at-bats. So he’ll get into the mix.”
Palacios had been optioned to the minors on Friday and was preparing to leave Monday morning to join Triple-A Durham when plans changed.
“Of course it’s nice to be back here with the guys,” Palacios said. “The option is the option. That’s how the game is. That’s fine. I don’t complain about it. Just lock in and I was able to get another opportunity here.”
The 28-year-old left-handed hitter is expected to take Lux’s place on the roster and in the lineup at second base against right-handed pitchers.
Palacios has battled injuries over the past year. He missed most of the final two months of 2025 with a right knee sprain after also fracturing his right ring finger during a late-spring fielding drill, which sidelined him for the first three weeks of the season.
He returned on April 17 and had a three-hit game against the New York Yankees, but went back on the injured list the next day with another right knee sprain. He did not return until Sept. 1 and played in only 17 games overall.
“Like I always tell you guys, when I’m on the field, I’m the happiest man alive,” Palacios said. “So be able to be out there is exciting.”
Palacios also missed some time this spring with back tightness, though he increased his work at third base in camp to broaden his value as a utility option. Coaches still view second base as his most natural fit.
“He’s put the work in,” infield and third-base coach Brady Williams said. “Came into camp, really fine-tuned his skills. Obviously he’s (been) playing more third, but second base is his natural position, so it should be a nice, natural fit for him.”
With Lux joining shortstop Taylor Walls on the injured list because of a right oblique strain, the Rays were forced to reshape their middle infield plans in the final week of spring training.
A final decision had not yet been announced, but top prospect Carson Williams appeared set to take over at shortstop, allowing Ben Williamson to remain in a utility infield role and start at second base against left-handed pitchers.