Walls (sports hernia) appears to be in position to begin the season as Tampa Bay's top shortstop, per Adam Berry of MLB.com.

EDGE Analysis

With spring training on the horizon, Walls is set to compete primarily with top prospect Carson Williams for everyday reps at shortstop. Walls is coming off sports hernia surgery, which ended his 2025 campaign in August, so he'll need to prove he's healthy during Grapefruit League play as well. Even in a potential full-time role, the switch-hitting infielder could struggle for fantasy relevance after slashing just .220/.280/.319 with four home runs, 38 RBI, 36 runs scored and 14 stolen bases across 317 regular-season plate appearances (101 games) last year.

The Rays exercised Walls' (sports hernia) $2.45 million option for 2026 and added a $3.1 million club option for 2027 on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The new deal covers Walls' remaining years of arbitration eligibility, if the 2027 option is picked up. Walls is a career .195/.286/.298 hitter over parts of five major-league seasons but is regarded as a plus defender. He could compete for the starting shortstop job next season with Carson Williams but could ultimately settle into a utility infielder role. Walls is recovering from sports hernia surgery but is expected to be ready for spring training.

The Rays transferred Walls (sports hernia) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Kevin Cash had already announced earlier this month that Walls would be shut down for the season after requiring sports hernia surgery, so the infielder's move to the 60-day IL was merely a formality. The transaction opens up a spot on the 40-man roster for right-hander Cole Wilcox, who was called up from Triple-A Durham.

Rays manager Kevin Cash announced Thursday that Walls will miss the rest of the season after undergoing a sports hernia surgical procedure, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

EDGE Analysis

Walls had been out since Aug. 9 with a left groin strain and saw a specialist Wednesday after still feeling discomfort, which ultimately led to him getting the surgery. With his season now done, the 29-year-old finished his fifth year in the majors with a career high .220 batting average across 317 plate appearances.

Walls (groin) will see a specialist Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Walls has been sidelined since Aug. 12 and had recently begun running and strength exercises. However, he felt discomfort and will now seek additional medical evaluation. The results should provide clarity on whether Walls can return this season, though he doesn't appear to be close to activation.

Walls (groin) was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Walls has been sidelined with a left groin strain since Saturday, and he will now be forced to take a seat for at least 10 days. Outfielder Tristan Peters was called up from Triple-A Durham to replace Walls on the major-league roster.

Walls (groin) isn't starting Monday's game against the Athletics, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

EDGE Analysis

Walls hasn't seen an at-bat since Friday due to a left groin injury. The Rays failed to comment on his availability prior to Monday's matchup, so he'll continue to be considered day-to-day until further notice.

Walls (groin) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mariners, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

EDGE Analysis

Walls will remain on the bench for the second game in a row while he continues to tend to a sore left groin. According to Bass, Walls said that he first tweaked his groin in the Rays' 7-3 win over the Angels on Tuesday, but at this point, the injury mainly limits him while running the bases rather than moving laterally in the field. With that in mind, Walls could be available off the bench Sunday as a late-inning defensive replacement.

Walls was scratched from Saturday's lineup against the Mariners due to a left groin injury, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

EDGE Analysis

Walls started feeling discomfort during Friday's game, and the issue persisted enough for him to be removed from Saturday's lineup, though he could be available to pinch hit. In 18 games since the All-Star break, Walls has slashed .236/.263/.418 with three steals, seven doubles, one home run and nine RBI in 59 plate appearances.

Walls (undisclosed) was scratched from the Rays' starting lineup against the Mariners on Saturday, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

EDGE Analysis

Walls was originally slated to start at shortstop. Now that he's out of the lineup, Ha-Seong Kim will move to shortstop while Tristan Gray starts at the keystone. The Rays should provide an update on Walls before Saturday's game.