Littell (0-2) took the loss Friday as the Rays were downed 5-2 by the Rangers, coughing up five runs on six hits and two walks over seven innings. He struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

Most of the damage came in the third inning, when Texas reeled off five straight hits before Littell could record an out. The right-hander has given Tampa Bay some length to begin the year, and through his first two starts he sports a 4.15 ERA and 10:2 K:BB in 13 innings. He'll look to get into the win column in his next outing, which lines up to come at home next week against the Angels.

Littell (0-1) took the loss against the Rockies on Saturday, allowing one run on four hits and no walks with seven strikeouts across six innings.

EDGE Analysis

Littell recorded 14 whiffs on 87 pitches but exited with a 1-0 deficit despite delivering a quality start. It was a strong showing for the 29-year-old after surrendering 12 runs over 13.1 spring innings, and he lines up for a road matchup with the Rangers next weekend.

Littell allowed six earned runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out two across two innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins.

EDGE Analysis

This marked Littell's second official spring appearance as he continues to compete for a rotation spot to begin the regular season. He didn't help his cause with his results, as he was pulled in two separate innings before returning to build up his pitch count. Following the game, Littell chalked the performance up to simply a bad outing, while manager Kevin Cash expressed optimism that Littell would bounce back, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Perhaps the lone positive was that Littell did reach 72 pitches, suggesting he'll be fully stretched out by Opening Day. Drew Rasmussen, Littell's presumed primary competition, is set to start Saturday's game against the Yankees.

Littell and the Rays avoided arbitration Thursday, agreeing to a one-year, $5.72 million contract, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Littell will receive a raise of just under $4 million in his second year of arbitration, coming off a solid showing in his first season as a full-time starter in the big leagues. He tossed 156.1 innings across his 29 outings with Tampa Bay in 2024, pitching to a 3.63 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 141:31 K:BB. Littell's lack of premium stuff will likely limit his strikeout upside once again in 2025, but his ability to keep walks in check while using of a variety of off-speed offerings to keep hitters off balance may allow him to find continued success as a back-end arm in the Tampa Bay rotation.

Littell (8-10) took the loss Wednesday against Detroit, allowing three earned runs on seven hits and zero walks while striking out seven in 4.2 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Entering Wednesday's action on an 18-inning scoreless streak, Littell immediately served up a leadoff home run to Parker Meadows in the first, shattering the Rays hopes of playing spoiler. Littell was able to settle in afterwards, but the Rays offense only mustered one run of support in the 7-1 defeat. After starting 18 games over the first six years of his career, Littell started 29 contests for the Rays in 2024, posting a respectable 3.63 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 141:31 K:BB in 156.1 innings (29 starts).

Littell (8-9) earned the win over Boston on Thursday, allowing one hit and recording seven strikeouts without issuing a walk over seven scoreless innings.

EDGE Analysis

LIttell allowed just one baserunner in the outing (on a third-inning single). The right-hander retired the final 13 batters he faced and was ultra efficient, needing only 75 pitches to complete seven frames. LIttell has held his opponent scoreless in three straight starts, compiling a total of 18 scoreless innings while posting a 16:1 K:BB during that span. The outstanding stretch has lowered his season ERA to 3.56.

Littell (7-9) earned the win Friday against the Guardians, pitching six scoreless innings while allowing two hits and no walks. He struck out five.

EDGE Analysis

The 28-year-old was stellar in this 89-pitch performance, as he generated an impressive 18 whiffs -- including 10 alone on his slider -- while surprisingly punching out only five. Littell has picked up consecutive wins while pitching 11 scoreless innings over his last two starts as he appears to have fully recovered from his shoulder injury in August. He has now pitched to a 3.73 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 127:31 K:BB across 144.2 innings this season. He is currently slated to make his next outing against the Blue Jays at home.

Littell (6-9) threw five scoreless innings to pick up the win Sunday against Baltimore, allowing three hits and one walk while striking out four.

EDGE Analysis

Littell was sharp, limiting a potent Orioles offense to just three singles to earn his first win since Aug. 3. The 28-year-old has been excellent over his past six starts, allowing one or fewer runs in five of those outings, pitching to a 1.99 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 18:10 K:BB in 31.2 innings. Littell doesn't offer gaudy strikeout totals, but his superb command has allowed him to maintain consistency. On the year, the right-hander owns a 3.89 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 122:31 K:BB in 138.2 innings (26 starts). He will look to stay hot in his next start, currently scheduled for next weekend in Cleveland.

Littell (5-9) took the loss against the Twins on Monday, allowing four runs on seven hits and four walks with two strikeouts over four innings.

EDGE Analysis

Littell was a bit rusty in his return from the injured list, walking a season-high four batters and surrendering a three-run homer in the third inning. On the plus side, his velocity was mostly in line with his season averages and he generated a solid 11 whiffs on 78 pitches. The 28-year-old owns a 4.04 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 118:30 K:BB across 133.2 innings this season and lines up for a tough matchup with the Orioles on Sunday.

The Rays reinstated Littell (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Sunday, and he's scheduled to start Monday against the Twins, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander landed on the shelf due to shoulder soreness after his last start Aug. 14 against Houston, but he's ready to rejoin the Rays as MLB rosters expand to 28 players Sunday. Littell will look to pick up where he left off, as he has a 1.19 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB in 22.2 innings across his past four starts.