Aranda was recalled by the Rays on Saturday and will bat seventh and serve as the designated hitter against Atlanta, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Aranda was recalled to take the place of Josh Lowe, who landed on the bereavement list. Aranda struggled to a .192/.276/.321 line in his 32-game debut last year but has hit .342/.455/.589 with 16 homers in 71 games for Triple-A Durham this season.

The Rays optioned Aranda to Triple-A Durham on Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

With Opening Day right around the corner Thursday, Aranda is one of the final major-league roster cut-downs for the Rays this spring. The 24-year-old batted .192 with one homer, five RBI and two runs scored over 26 at-bats during spring training, failing to impress enough to crack the big-league roster. Considering his positional flexibility and his prior experience in the MLB from last season, Aranda seems like a top candidate to earn a call-up early this year.

Aranda has three extra-base hits and three walks across 17 plate appearances in Grapefruit League action.

EDGE Analysis

Aranda is in competition for a bench spot on the Rays' Opening Day roster, and he's made the case with his performance this spring. In addition to a .924 OPS, he's struck out only four times. Aranda struggled in limited playing time during his MLB debut in 2022, posting a .192/.276/.321 line across 87 plate appearances.

Aranda is not in Tuesday's lineup against the Guardians, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Aranda will sit in favor of Taylor Walls for the second game in a row. While Aranda has a strong track record as a hitter in the minors, his defense is below average, so he needs to be hitting to justify getting at-bats. He is slashing .100/.273/.259 over the last 10 games.

Aranda is not in Sunday's lineup against the Blue Jays.

EDGE Analysis

Aranda has been playing regularly over the last week, hitting .125 with a .276 OBP and one home run in 24 at-bats over that stretch. Taylor Walls is starting at second base and hitting ninth.

Aranda went 2-for-4 with one homer, one RBI and three runs scored in Thursday's 10-5 victory over the Blue Jays.

EDGE Analysis

Aranda sparked the Rays offense with a leadoff home run off Jose Berrios in the first inning and came around to score again in the second on a Wander Franco single. The third-baseman reached base three times in the contest, scoring a run on each occasion. It was a nice game for Aranda, who was held hitless in the previous three-game series against the Astros. The promising rookie is hitting a solid .278 with two homers and six RBI through 22 games this season, while also drawing six walks.

Aranda is not in Friday's lineup against the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

Aranda's strong hit tool has translated well in the majors, but his defensive shortcomings have also been apparent. He is hitting .316/.409/.579 with one home run, five strikeouts and three walks in 19 at-bats this month. Taylor Walls is starting at second base while Christian Bethancourt starts at first base.

Aranda isn't starting Wednesday against the Blue Jays, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Aranda started the last four games and went 4-for-13 with a homer, two runs, two RBI, a walk and five strikeouts. He'll get a breather while Isaac Paredes takes over at the keystone and bats eighth.

Aranda went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader split with the Blue Jays.

EDGE Analysis

He took Alek Manoah deep in the seventh inning for his first career big-league homer, briefly giving the Rays a 2-1 lead before the bullpen imploded in the bottom of the frame on the way to a 7-2 loss. Aranda has started four straight games, getting the nod at first base in the matinee and going 1-for-4 before sliding over to second base for the nightcap. With Brandon Lowe (back) on the IL once again, the 24-year-old could see a significant role in the short term. Aranda has hit safely in six straight appearances, and since rejoining the big-league roster in September, he's batting .353 (6-for-17) with two doubles and Tuesday's homer.

Aranda will start at second base and bat seventh in Monday's game at Toronto, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rays manager Kevin Cash suggested over the weekend that Aranda might pick up more playing time, and the skipper will stay true to his word while the rookie receives his second start in a row. In a limited sample of 26 plate appearances in the majors this season, Aranda has produced a .462 on-base percentage. He'll need to continue to rack up walks and make contact at a high clip to ensure he maintains steady at-bats.