By The Tampa Bay Rays have built their reputation over the last ten years on pitching development and having quality depth.
Once again, that formula will be displayed in a rotation blending emerging talent and veteran reliability.
All the other teams in the division rely on big-money rotations. The Rays will once again trust in their ability to maximize the talent
It is just about two weeks before the start of the regular season, and the Tampa Bay Rays have already announced their starting rotation, barring any injuries, of course.
Drew Rasmussen, Shane McClanahan, Ryan Pepiot, Steven Matz, and Nick Martinez will start the season as the Rays’ starting five.
Drew Rasmussen
Rasmussen has been named the Rays’ opening day starter. He is an emerging leader on this Rays staff and is becoming one of the most reliable starters in baseball.
In 31 starts last season, Rasmussen posted a 10-5 record, with. 2.76 ERA, earning an All-Star selection.
Rasmussen relies on a mid-90s fastball, with a slider that causes many batters to swing and miss.
He is very consistent, and if he stays healthy, he gives the Rays a frontline starter who can match up with the best pitchers in baseball.
Shane McClanahan
When healthy, McClanahan is the most talented pitcher in the rotation. The trouble for McClanahan is staying healthy.
He will hit the upper 90s with his fastball, and keeps hitters off-balance with a nasty changeup and slider.
He was one of the best pitchers in baseball in 2022 when he posted a 2.54 ERA with 200 strikeouts.
McClanahan’s career has been injury-riddled so far. He missed the entire 2024 and 2025 seasons after undergoing Tommy John surgery and having other arm issues.
The 2026 season is poised to be a comeback season for McClanahan. In spring training, the Rays have focused on building his pitch count and gradually increasing his workload.
He will enter the regular season on a pitch count and possibly space out his starts.
Ryan Pepiot
Pepiot enters the 2026 season as the number three starter in the rotation. He has quietly developed into a capable starter, giving the Rays quality outings every time he takes the mound.
Pepiot’s repertoire is a sneaky fastball-changeup combination that can keep hitters off balance.
If Pepiot continues to improve, he will take another step forward in 2026, becoming a legitimate No. 2 or 3 starter.
Steven Matz
The Rays signed Matz to a two-year contract, giving them an experienced arm capable of eating a lot of innings.
He has pitched in both starting and relief situations. He also had a lot of success and has been wildly inconsistent at times.
Matz has the ability to adapt to different roles, which is what caught the Rays’ attention.
If younger pitchers emerge during the season, the Rays could easily shift him into a multi-inning relief role, something he has done effectively in the past.
Nick Martinez
The right-hander will round out the Rays’ rotation. He was signed to a one-year, $13 million deal.
Martinez brings extensive experience to the rotation, having pitched as a starter and a reliever during his career.
Martinez does not have a power arm; instead, he relies on command and pitch variety rather than velocity. He has a fastball, slider, and an effective changeup that can keep hitters off balance.
If this group stays healthy and performs near its potential, Tampa Bay could once again field one of the most effective rotations in the American League.
In a division where the margin between first place and fourth place can be razor-thin, that could make all the difference.
