Everything you need to know for Rays 26th season opener

The Rays are set to open their 26th season today, with the fitting stage of playing the same opponent, the Detroit Tigers, they faced in their inaugural game on March 31, 1998.

The Rays are using this season to celebrate their 25th anniversary and will bring back some players from their past to mark the occasion. That starts today as James Shields, one of the key players during their transformational 2008 season, throws out the ceremonial first pitch.

Here are some of the key things to know about today’s game:

Lineups

Rays

Yandy Diaz, 1B

Wander Franco, SS

Isaac Paredes, 3B

Randy Arozarena, LF

Harold Ramirez, DH

Manuel Margot, RF

Brandon Lowe, 2B

Christian Bethancourt, C

Jose Siri, CF

Shane McClanahan, P

Tigers

Matt Vierling, RF

Javier Baez, SS

Riley Greene, CF

Eric Haase, C

Spencer Torkelson, 1B

Austin Meadows, LF

Miguel Cabrera, DH

Jonathan Schoop, 2B

Ryan Kreidler, 3B

Eduardo Rodriguez, P

Game info

Today: vs. Tigers

3:10, Tropicana Field

TV/radio: Bally Sports Sun; 95.3-FM, 620-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)

Promotion: Schedule magnet for all fans

Info: raysbaseball.com; 888-326-7297

Probable pitchers

Rays: LH Shane McClanahan (12-8, 2.54 in 2022)

Tigers: LH Eduardo Rodriguez (5-5, 4.05)

Opening day timeline

12:05 p.m.: Rays batting practice

12:10: Stadium parking lots open

1:05: Tigers batting practice

1:10: Stadium gates open; players greeting fans at Gates 1, 4

2:44: Tigers introductions

2:46: Rays introductions (with flashing lights and smoke)

2:52: 2022 AL Wild Card banner revealed

2:58: Anthem by Belinda Womack, the Metropolitan Ministries and Maurice Allen family ensembles; flag unfurled by Duke Energy lineworkers; color guard from Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office

3:03: Ceremonial first pitch by James Shields

3:10: First pitch by Shane McClanahan

Planned opening day roster (26)

Pitchers (13): Jason Adam, Jalen Beeks-L, Garrett Cleavinger-L, Zach Eflin, Pete Fairbanks, Calvin Faucher, Josh Fleming-L,, , Kevin Kelly, Shane McClana­han-L, Colin Poche-L, Drew Rasmussen, Jeffrey Springs-L, Ryan Thompson

Catchers (2): Christian Bethancourt, Francisco Mejia

Infielders (5): Yandy Diaz, Wander Franco, , Brandon Lowe, Isaac Paredes Taylor Walls

Outfielders (6): Randy Arozarena, Josh Lowe, Manuel Margot, Luke Raley, Harold Ramirez, Jose Siri

Injured list: RHP Shawn Armstrong (15-day), RHP Shane Baz (15-day), RHP Tyler Glasnow (15-day), RHP Andrew Kittredge (60-day).

Camp transactions

Optioned to minors: INF Jonathan Aranda, INF/OF Vidal Brujan, INF Osleivis Basabe, RHP Taj Bradley, RHP Yonny Chirinos, INF/OF Greg Jones, RHP Trevor Kelley, INF Curtis Mead, RH Luis Patino, C Rene Pinto, RHP Colby White.

Reassigned to minors: C Roberto Alvarez, RHP Colten Brewer, RHP Trevor Brigden, RHP Braden Bristo, RHP Zack Burdi, RHP Ryan Burr, OF Ruben Cardenas, RH Cooper Criswell, C Nick Dini, C Logan Driscoll, OF Ben Gamel, INF Tristan Gray, RHP Andrew Gross, RHP Ben Heller, OF Niko Hulsizer, C Blake Hunt, LHP Joe LaSorsa, 1B Kyle Manzardo, RHP Michael Mercado, OF Kameron Misner, RHP Anthony Molina, RHP Evan McKendry, LHP Mason Montgomery, RHP Chris Muller, RHP Hector Perez, OF Tristan Peters, RHP Evan Reifert, RHP Josh Roberson, RHP Elvin Rodriguez, INF Austin Shenton, INF Ronny Simon, RHP x-Graham Spraker, OF Grant Witherspoon

Traded: OF Jordan Qsar to Phillies for cash; OF Grant Witherspoon to Tigers for cash

Released: INF Charlie Culberson, C/INF Gavin Collins, RHP Kyle Crick, INF Daniel Robertson

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