Triple-A Durham activated Hess (illness) from its 7-day injured list Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Hess will make his return to Durham's active roster after he was delayed to begin the season following a diagnosis of a cancerous germ tumor in his chest during the offseason. The right-hander received clearance to resume his career prior to spring training, but the Rays were careful to ease him back slowly coming off the medical scare. After Hess checked out fine during a recent four-appearance rehab assignment in the rookie-level Florida Complex League, he'll now rejoin the Durham pitching staff.

Hess (illness) gave up one run on two hits while striking out one over one inning of relief in a rehab appearance Tuesday for the Rays' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate.

EDGE Analysis

After revealing in October that he had a cancerous germ cell in the center of his chest that required chemotherapy, Hess was cleared to resume his baseball activities a few months later. Even so, the Rays elected to bring Hess along slowly as he worked to regain strength following his battle with cancer. After a prolonged stay at extended spring training, Hess was finally cleared for game action. He'll likely make a few appearances in the FCL before eventually being activated from Triple-A Durham's 7-day injured list.

The Rays reassigned Hess to their minor-league camp Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Before re-signing with the Rays on a minor-league deal in November, Hess revealed that he underwent chemotherapy earlier in the offseason to address a cancerous tumor in his chest. Fortunately, Hess received full medical clearance to resume his career in January and hasn't faced any restrictions upon reporting to spring training. He'll likely open the season at Triple-A Durham, but it's unclear if the Rays plan on having Hess serve as a starter or reliever.

Hess (illness) was cleared to resume baseball activities Friday, the pitcher announced on his personal Twitter account.

EDGE Analysis

Hess began chemotherapy in the fall to deal with a cancerous tumor on his chest. The treatment appears to be having its desired effect, so he should be able to get on a mound during spring training.

Hess (illness) re-signed Nov. 11 with the Rays on a minor-league contract.

EDGE Analysis

Shortly before he officially elected free agency Oct. 15, Hess revealed that he was diagnosed with a cancerous germ cell tumor in the center of his chest. The Rays' decision to re-sign Hess earlier this month implies confidence in his recovery, and the pitcher himself was a similarly upbeat about his health in his most recent update on his personal Twitter account. Hess will hope to gain clearance from doctors in the coming months, but at least for the time being, his availability for the start of spring training is uncertain.

Hess announced Wednesday via his personal Twitter account that he will begin chemotherapy next week after he was recently diagnosed with a cancerous germ cell tumor in the center of his chest.

EDGE Analysis

The 28-year-old right-hander expressed confidence that through treatment, the cancerous tumor will hopefully be eradicated and allow him to resume his baseball career. Hess spent time in the Marlins and Rays organizations in 2021, appearing in 15 games at the MLB level and posting a 9.90 ERA and 2.15 WHIP in 20 innings.

Hess accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Durham on Tuesday after going unclaimed on waivers, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hess has been DFA'd three times this season, and for the second time in less than a month, he's agreed to stay in the Tampa Bay organization after losing his spot on the 40-man roster. Hess allowed six earned runs -- including three homers -- in his lone two-inning appearance during his latest stint with the big club.

The Rays designated Hess for assignment Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

A prior report indicated Hess was sent to Triple-A Durham to make room on the active roster for reliever Matt Wisler's (finger) return from the 10-day injured list, but Hess will also lose his spot on the 40-man roster since he doesn't have any minor-league options remaining. Assuming he clears waivers, Hess will be outrighted to Durham within a few days and should be available for the affiliate.

Hess was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hess entered Tuesday's game against Boston with a comfortable lead and gave up six runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out two in two innings. Although he managed to keep the lead intact, he'll head back to Durham after right-hander Matt Wisler (finger) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Wednesday.

The Rays selected Hess' contract from Triple-A Durham ahead of Monday's game against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Tampa Bay already had an opening on the 40-man roster due to Chris Mazza's recent placement on the COVID-19-related injured list at Triple-A, while Dietrich Enns was optioned to Durham to clear a spot on the 28-man active roster for Hess. Hess may only be with the Rays for a couple of days to give the team a fresh arm out of the bullpen; according to Topkin, manager Kevin Cash said that reliever Matt Wisler (finger) should be ready to return from the 10-day injured list Tuesday or Wednesday.