Gray was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Monday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.
Gray had two hits -- including his first home run -- in his major-league debut Sunday in Baltimore, but that won't prevent a return trip to Durham. He's no longer needed on the active roster with the Rays reinstating Taylor Walls (personal) from the paternity list in a corresponding move.
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Rays' Tristan Gray: Homers in first start
Rotowire
Gray went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's loss to the Orioles.
Making the start at shortstop following his call-up Saturday, Gray picked up his first big-league hit in the fifth inning before launching his first home run off Jorge Lopez in the eighth, putting Tampa Bay ahead 2-1. The 27-year-old Gray displayed some impressive power in Triple-A this year, hitting 28 homers in 127 games. His stint in the majors may be brief, however, as Taylor Walls (personal) is due to return from the paternity list Tuesday.
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Rays' Tristan Gray: First chance in majors
Rotowire
Gray had his contract selected by the Rays on Saturday.
Gray will get his first chance in the majors as Taylor Walls (personal) is away from the team for the next couple of games. Gray has hit 28 home runs with Triple-A Durham across 499 plate appearances in 2023, though he's 27 years old and also had a 32 percent strikeout rate, so it's unclear how his skills will translate to the majors.
Rays' Tristan Gray: Thriving with spring opportunity
Rotowire
Gray, who singled, was hit by a pitch and scored in his two plate appearances during a Grapefruit League loss to the Red Sox on Friday, is 3-for-4 with a home run, four RBI and two runs across three spring games.
The 24-year-old showed some nice pop at the High-A and Double-A levels in 2018 and 2019, respectively, racking up 91 extra-base hits (54 doubles, seven triples, 30 home runs) and driving in 133 runs over that span. Gray's batting averages at both stops -- .238 in the former and .225 in the latter -- have been lacking, but he's profiled well during spring training stops with the Rays the last three seasons, lacing four (two doubles, two home runs) of his five hits for extra bases in that sample. Gray is likely ticketed to start the season at Triple-A Durham, and the foundation he's establishing with his early spring work could serve as a launchpad to a successful 2021.
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Rays' Tristan Gray: Reassigned to minor-league camp
Rotowire
Gray was reassigned to minor-league spring training Sunday, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.
As part of the first wave of cuts, Gray, along with six others, was removed from the Rays' spring training roster Sunday. The 23-year-old second baseman posted a .225/.332/.409 slash line with 64 RBI and and 17 home runs across 112 games with Double-A Montgomery in 2019.
The young infielder was part of a package that included Daniel Hudson and cash considerations that helped to bring outfielder Corey Dickerson to the Pirates. Gray spent all of last season with Low-A West Virginia, producing an .815 OPS and a 32:19 K:BB in 208 at-bats. He'll head to the lower levels of the Rays' system for more development.
