Tampa Bay Rays Released Outfielder Jake Fraley

The veteran outfielder entered free agency after clearing waivers and refusing an outright assignment.

Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Baseball

Tampa Bay Rays Released Outfielder Jake Fraley

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Is choosing free agency over a minor league assignment usually a good move for a player?

The Tampa Bay Rays have officially released outfielder Jake Fraley following his decision to decline an outright assignment. Fraley was designated for assignment by the club on September 20 after a stint on the 40-man roster.

Why it matters

The move marks the end of Fraley's tenure in Tampa Bay, as he will now test the free agent market. This transition allows the veteran player to seek opportunities with new organizations as the current season winds down.

Fraley recorded two home runs and 88 at-bats across 31 games for the Tampa Bay Rays during the 2026 season. His career totals include 49 home runs and a .246 batting average over eight seasons of professional play.

The players

Jake Fraley

He is an outfielder with eight years of professional experience and a career batting average of .246.

Tampa Bay Rays

This is a professional Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg that competes in the American League East.

Atlanta Braves

This is a professional Major League Baseball team based in Atlanta that competes in the National League East.

The details

After being removed from the 40-man roster, Fraley successfully cleared waivers, granting him the right to choose free agency instead of accepting a minor league assignment. The outfielder previously played for the Atlanta Braves during the 2025 season before joining the Rays via a waiver claim in November 2025.

Fraley played for the Atlanta Braves during the 2025 season.
The Rays claimed Fraley off waivers from the Braves in November 2025.
The Rays designated Fraley for assignment on September 20, 2026.
The Tampa Bay Rays officially released Jake Fraley on September 22, 2026.

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Season Trajectory

This release reflects the standard MLB waiver wire and outright assignment process where veterans often prioritize free agency over minor league assignments late in the year. Fraley remains a free agent until the signing period opens following the conclusion of the MLB playoffs.

The departure leaves a vacancy in the Rays' outfield depth chart that the organization must address for the remainder of the season. Fantasy managers should note that Fraley is no longer active with the Tampa Bay roster and will not contribute stats until he joins a new team.

The takeaway

Players with significant experience often use the waiver process to secure free agency rather than accepting a demotion to the minor leagues. This strategic move allows veterans to evaluate all available opportunities during the off-season.