Littell (shoulder) threw a simulated game Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Kevin Cash confirmed that Littell will not go on a rehab assignment. Assuming Littell's progress continues, he is expected to return to the rotation during the Rays' upcoming homestand, beginning Aug. 30 and ending Sept. 5.

The Rays placed Littell on the 15-day injured list Saturday due to right shoulder fatigue, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

EDGE Analysis

Littell came away with the no-decision while allowing one run on one hit and two walks over five innings in his start Wednesday against the Astros, but he might have been plagued by the shoulder injury during the outing. The fact that the Rays are characterizing his injury as fatigue rather than a strain could bode well for his chances of avoiding an extended stay on the shelf. Left-hander Tyler Alexander was called up from Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move, and he'll likely slot in as the fifth member of the Tampa Bay rotation beginning with Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks, when he'll likely start or serve as a bulk reliever.

Littell allowed one run on one hit and two walks while striking out three over five innings in a no-decision versus the Astros on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Aside from a Jeremy Pena solo home run in the fifth inning, Littell was in control, though he threw just 68 pitches (44 strikes) in this start. That matches his lowest pitch count since the start of July -- he'd thrown no fewer than 79 pitches in any of his last six starts. He's now at a 4.03 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 116:26 K:BB through 129.2 innings over 24 starts this year. Littell is tentatively projected for a favorable road start against the Athletics in his next outing.

Littell (5-8) took the loss Friday against the Orioles, allowing three runs on eight hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out five.

EDGE Analysis

After surrendering a home run to Colton Cowser to lead off the game, Littell managed to settle in and keep Baltimore off the board until the fifth, when Ryan O'Hearn drove in two more runs with a two-out single. The 28-year-old Littell had won back-to-back starts prior to Friday, allowing just one run in 12.2 innings. Overall, the right-hander sports a 4.11 ERA with a 1.35 WHIP and 113:24 K:BB across 124.2 innings this season. Littell's currently slated for a home matchup with the Astros next week in his next outing.

Littell (5-7) allowed a run on four hits and a walk while striking out three over 5.2 innings to earn the win over the Astros on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Littell allowed the opening run of the game, a Jon Singleton solo home run in the first inning. The Rays were able to bounce back on offense while Littell was sharp the rest of the way to collect consecutive wins for the first time this season. The right-hander has allowed just one run on seven hits and two walks over his last 12.2 innings. For the season, he's pitched to a 4.06 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 108:23 K:BB over 119.2 innings through 22 starts. Littell is projected to make his next start at home versus the Orioles.

Littell (4-7) picked up the win in Saturday's 4-0 victory over the Reds, scattering three hits and a walk over seven scoreless innings. He struck out five.

EDGE Analysis

The 28-year-old right-hander was masterful over 96 pitches (60 strikes), as Cincinnati managed to get only two runners into scoring position against him. The quality start was the eighth of the year for Littell, but only his second in his last eight trips to the mound, a stretch in which he has a 5.22 ERA and 1.46 WHIP. With the Rays in sell mode at the trade deadline and Littell headed for his final year of arbitration in 2025, Saturday's performance can only have boosted his market value. If he doesn't get dealt, he's scheduled to make his next start for Tampa Bay on the road next weekend in Houston.

Littell (3-7) took the loss Monday against the Yankees, allowing five earned runs on nine hits and two walks in 5.2 innings. He struck out six.

EDGE Analysis

Littell surrendered three home runs in this one, including back-to-back from Austin Wells and Anthony Volpe in the second inning. The 28-year-old has now allowed a home run in 11 of his past 12 starts, limping to a 5.49 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 55:12 K:BB during that stretch. The right-hander boasts an elite 4.95 K/BB that ranks in the 94th percentile, but he will need to limit home runs to find consistency. Littell will look to bounce back his next time out, currently scheduled for this weekend against Cincinnati.

Littell allowed two runs (one earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out three batters over six innings in a no-decision against the Guardians on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Littell got through four scoreless frames before serving up a solo homer to Angel Martinez in the fifth inning. A catcher's interference call on batterymate David Fry led to a second Cleveland run in the frame, which tied the score and took Littell out of line for a victory. The right-hander ended his outing on a high note, retiring the side in order in the sixth to notch his first quality start since June 9. Littell will finish the first half of the campaign with a 4.26 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 94:19 K:BB over 101.1 innings.

Littell (3-6) allowed seven runs on nine hits and a walk while striking out five over four innings to take the loss versus the Rangers on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Littell mostly had things under control until the Rangers erupted for six runs in the fourth inning. He left with a 7-2 deficit, and the Rangers continued to find success against the Rays' bullpen, leaving Littell to take his first loss in four starts. He's had one bad outing in each month of the season, but he's given up four or more runs just four times in 18 starts. The right-hander has a 4.44 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 91:17 K:BB through 95.1 innings. Littell will look to bounce back versus the Guardians in a challenging matchup at home next weekend.

Littell (3-5) earned the win Tuesday against the Royals, throwing five shutout innings while giving up four hits and striking out four batters.

EDGE Analysis

Littell was remarkably efficient Tuesday, needing only 68 pitches to get through five innings. Had it not been for a two-plus-hour rain delay, the 28-year-old righty almost certainly would have made it deeper into the game. Nonetheless, Tampa Bay's offense provided just enough run support before his removal for him to record his first win since May 11. Littell will now carry a 3.94 ERA and 1.32 WHIP into his next start against the Rangers over the weekend.