Jose Caballero

The homer to left-center appeared to be a little wind-aided, but he'll take it. He also had an RBI groundout today. The light-hitting Walls figures to spend the first two months as the Rays' starting shortstop with Ha-Seong Kim on the injured list. Jose Caballero will back him up.

Caballero managed just a .227/.283/.347 line for the Rays last season, and as softly as he tends to hit the ball, it's hard to see much additional upside here. Still, it would be pretty difficult for the Rays to leave him off the roster initially; such a move would make Richie Palacios the primary backup to Taylor Walls at shortstop. If they are willing to make that sacrifice, it'd give them the ability to carry both Curtis Mead and Eloy Jimenez.

Caballero had been 3-for-21 with no walks this spring, so this will do him some good. Caballero has thus far started five games at short, four at third and four in the outfield as the Rays try to take advantage of his versatility. Assuming that Taylor Walls beats him out for the early season shortstop gig with Ha-Seong Kim on the shelf, Caballero will probably play mostly against lefties.

Defensive versatility is a hallmark of the Rays organization, and they’re expanding the role for utilitymen Jose Caballero and Richie Palacios this spring, writes Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Caballero, who played plus defense at shortstop, second base and third base in 2024, is getting reps across all three outfield spots in camp.…

Defensive versatility is a hallmark of the Rays organization, and they’re expanding the role for utilitymen Jose Caballero and Richie Palacios this spring, writes Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Caballero, who played plus defense at shortstop, second base and third base in 2024, is getting reps across all three outfield spots in camp.…