After being blitzed by Bucs schedule, Rays scrambling to avoid conflicts

MIAMI — After the NFL created two conflicts with Bucs games at Raymond James Stadium, the Rays are working with Major League Baseball officials to see what changes they can make to their schedule.

The Bucs are slated to play their exhibition finale against the Bills on Aug. 23, with a 7:30 p.m. kickoff at Raymond James Stadium. The Rays have a game against the Cardinals scheduled for 7:05 across the street at Steinbrenner Field.

The bigger conflict comes a few weeks later.

The Bucs are scheduled to play their home opener against the Jets on Sept. 21, with a 1 p.m. kickoff. The Rays have their regular season home finale against Boston slated for 12:10.

The conflict is more than just having two games at the same time on either side of Dale Mabry Highway. There will be a serious squeeze on parking, as most Rays parking has been in the north Raymond James lots. There also will be a significant spike in traffic, as well as a strain on logistics and police/emergency personnel, not to mention workers who have gigs at both stadiums.

For the Aug. 23 game, the Rays likely will consider an earlier start, though it would mean risking the potential for afternoon rain.

The Sept. 21 game is a bit trickier, especially given the usual festivities connected with the final home game.

The Rays could seek MLB permission to play in the evening, though Sunday night is typically an exclusive TV window. Other options could include playing a day/night doubleheader on the Saturday before (when there would be a conflict with the USF-South Carolina State game, kickoff TBA) or play on the following Monday, which is a scheduled off day for both teams heading into the final week of the season.

The Rays had asked the NFL to avoid conflicts, but that didn’t work. Now, the team and MLB officials are forced to consider all options.

Simpson bloodied but OK

Rays leftfielder Chandler Simpson is assisted off the field after he was injured while sliding into home plate during the ninth inning. Simpson, who sustained a bloodied nose and swollen upper lip, was out on the play. [ MARTA LAVANDIER | AP ]

Chandler Simpson had blood on his nose and a swollen upper lip but came out of a collision with Marlins catcher Nick Fontes and the ground otherwise OK and isn’t expected to miss any time.

“I just feel numb around my nose and mouth right now, but in terms of shoulder, head or anything, I feel fine,” Simpson said. “Basically just face-planted and hit the ground real hard.”

The speedy rookie, who has been a catalyst since his mid-April promotion, went down hard and appeared to be in a lot of pain. He said he initially was concerned about a significant injury as Rays staff attended to him.

“As I laid there, I just told them to give me a minute and I was like, ‘OK, I feel good,’” he said.

Simpson was out on the ninth-inning play, trying to score from second on Brandon Lowe’s single.

“I knew it was going to be a close play,” Simpson said. “And just the way (Fontes) caught the ball kind of in front of the plate and I tried to get around and couldn’t, and it was just kind of an unfortunate situation.”

Simpson left the game, but manager Kevin Cash said the outfielder was cleared and will be in Sunday’s lineup for the series finale.

Familiar faces

The Marlins’ Kyle Stowers, left, high-fives Ronny Simon after hitting a walkoff grand slam May 3 against the Athletics in Miami. Simon left the Rays as a minor-league free agent before signing with the Marlins. [ LYNNE SLADKY | AP ]

There are five players on the Marlins’ 40-man roster who played in the Rays organization — pitcher Calvin Faucher and catcher Rob Brantly in the majors, and outfielder Jesus Sanchez and infielders Xavier Edwards and Ronny Simon in the minors.

There were plenty of hugs and hellos, especially for Simon, a well-liked 25-year-old. He left the Rays as a minor-league free agent, signed with the Marlins (run by former Rays executive Peter Bendix) and made his debut on April 21.

“I’m happy for Ronny,” said Rays bench coach Rodney Linares. “I came out (Friday) and saw him early, gave him a big hug. I’ve known Ronny for a while from back in the Dominican. He had a special year a couple years ago when he won the MVP in the Dominican (winter league), and it put him on the map. I’m glad he’s getting his opportunity.”

Rays outfielder Kameron Misner was a high draft pick by the Marlins (35th overall) in 2019, then traded to the Rays after reaching Double A in 2021, for Joey Wendle.

Misner said he enjoyed returning to LoanDepot Park, where he got to take batting practice after signing for a $2,115,000 bonus but hadn’t been back. He didn’t recognize too many faces among the current Marlins players.

“There’s a few of them that I know,” he said, “but even the staff has turned over.”

Miscellany

The Rays’ Junior Caminero, shown hitting a single against the Blue Jays Thursday in Toronto, was out of the lineup Saturday against the Miami Marlins. [ NATHAN DENETTE | The Canadian Press via AP ]

Linares handled pregame media duties, as Cash was jetting back to Miami after attending his daughter, Camden’s, high school graduation Saturday morning in St. Petersburg. … Junior Caminero was out of the lineup for what Linares said was “just a day off,” with hot-hitting Jose Caballero playing third. … Reliever Connor Seabold on Friday made his first big-league appearance since Oct. 1, 2023 with Colorado, having spent last year in Korea. Seabold also had gone 12 days since last pitching for Triple-A Durham, having been called up May 9.

• • •

Sign up for our Sports Today newsletter to get daily updates on the Bucs, Rays, Lightning and college football across Florida.

Every weekday, tune into our Sports Day Tampa Bay podcast to hear reporter Rick Stroud break down the biggest stories in Tampa Bay sports.

Never miss out on the latest with your favorite Tampa Bay sports teams. Follow our coverage on X and Facebook.