Steven Souza Jr.
RF FA
Sat 7/4/15 10:39 AM

Souza is back in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Yankees, MLB.com's Bill Chastain reports. Souza was given the last two days off to clear his head amid an extended slump, but he will get the chance to get back on track Saturday. Souza will play right field and bat fifth against Yankees starter Michael Pineda.

Steven Souza Jr.
RF FA
Fri 7/3/15 1:28 PM

Souza will not be in Friday's lineup against the Yankees, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Souza has been terrible since June 23, recording no hits and 14 strikeouts in 23 at-bats. He'll thus be held out of the lineup for a second straight day, avoiding a difficult matchup with the Yankees' Masahiro Tanaka. Souza's 35 percent strikeout rate remains problematic, but the Rays don't have great alternatives, so he should still have the opportunity to work out of his slump.

Steven Souza Jr.
RF FA
Thu 7/2/15 10:22 AM

Souza is out of the lineup Thursday against the Indians, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune reports. Souza, who started all but one game in the month of June, will receive a rare day off while Brandon Guyer takes over in right field. It's a bit odd to see him sit with a southpaw on the mound, but with no word of an injury in play, consider it a regular maintenance day until further notice. Souza is 0-for-3 with a strikeout in his career against Corey Kluber, but that likely isn't a large enough sample size to warrant a day off based on matchup.

Steven Souza Jr.
RF FA
Wed 6/24/15 9:16 AM

Souza is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays. Souza went 10-for-28 (.357) with two home runs over his last seven games, but with the Rays playing an early afternoon game Wednesday, manager Kevin Cash decided to give him his first day off since May 27. Brandon Guyer will get the start in right field in Souza's place.

Steven Souza Jr.
RF FA
Thu 6/18/15 8:17 AM

Souza went 3-for-4 with a home run in Wednesday's win over Washington. Souza hit his 13th home run of the season to help the Rays beat Washington on Wednesday, giving him 30 RBI on the season. He's batting an ugly .222 but the power numbers certainly help his fantasy value.

Steven Souza Jr.
RF FA
Tue 6/16/15 3:26 PM

Souza drew a walk in all five of his plate appearance in Monday's win over the Nationals. The five walks tied a Rays record, but Souza was unable to come around to score on any of the occasions he reached base. Souza has been the poster child of a Three True Outcomes player this season, leading the Rays in homers (12), walks (30), and strikeouts (82) across his 208 plate appearances.

Steven Souza Jr.
RF FA
Sat 5/30/15 6:46 PM

Souza went 1-for-3 Saturday with a solo home run, his second in as many games since returning to the starting lineup from a wrist injury. He now has nine blasts on the year, and while Souza's strikeout issues are keeping his batting average low, he's still supplying the Rays with a nice blend of power and speed.

Steven Souza Jr.
RF FA
Fri 5/29/15 3:26 PM

Souza (wrist) is back in the lineup hitting sixth Friday against the Orioles. This seems a little ahead of schedule based on the last news on Souza's recovery, but it is a pleasant surprise to see him back in the lineup. He missed three games with the wrist issue and should return to getting most of the starts in right field going forward.

Steven Souza Jr.
RF FA
Thu 5/28/15 12:48 PM

Souza (wrist) has advanced to taking low-speed pitches in the batting cage, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Even if Souza does return by Friday, owners should be cautious with him for the next week or so. His power could be the only thing that's getting him valuable plate appearances and any wrist injury can be a concern for bat speed. It might be best to take a wait and see approach, since Souza's floor is very low right now thanks to a brutally bad 38.0 percent strikeout rate.

Steven Souza Jr.
RF FA
Wed 5/27/15 10:30 AM

Souza (wrist) is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Mariners, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Time reports. Souza was expected to sit until at least Friday due to the wrist issue, so it's no surprise that he's not on the lineup card Wednesday. David DeJesus will enter the lineup in left field in his place, while Brandon Guyer will slide over and play right field.