Rays' Edwin Uceta Undergoes Shoulder Surgery

The 28-year-old right-hander will miss at least the first couple months of the 2027 season after the procedure.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Baseball

Rays' Edwin Uceta Undergoes Shoulder Surgery

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Edwin Uceta underwent surgery on his right shoulder, a procedure that follows a spring training shoulder injury and a shutdown for the 2026 season. Uceta will miss at least the first couple months of the 2027 season.

Why it matters

Uceta's shoulder symptoms resurfaced after he resumed throwing, forcing the Rays to shut him down for 2026 and now to plan without him early in 2027. The injury removes a veteran reliever from the team's bullpen for the start of next season.

Uceta's 2025 season produced a 10-3 record and 3.79 ERA across 70 relief outings, while his career totals stand at 12-6 with a 3.70 ERA and six saves in 125 appearances. The team has not said when he will return from surgery.

The players

Edwin Uceta

A 28-year-old right-hander who has pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Mets and Tampa Bay Rays across his career.

Tampa Bay Rays

The Major League Baseball franchise based in Tampa that employs Uceta and oversees his rehabilitation.

The details

Uceta had been sidelined since spring training in March with a right shoulder impingement and subscapularis strain, and the symptoms resurfaced after he resumed throwing. He was ultimately shut down for the season, and the Rays have now announced that he underwent surgery on his right shoulder.

March 2026: Uceta sidelined in spring training with a right shoulder injury.
2025: Uceta posted a 10-3 record with a 3.79 ERA in 70 appearances.
November 3, 2026: Surgery and 2027 absence announced.
Early 2027: Uceta expected to miss at least the first couple months of the season.

Season Trajectory

Uceta's shutdown and surgery remove a bullpen arm the Rays were counting on, shaping how the team builds its relief corps for the start of 2027. The episode also reflects how recurring shoulder problems can turn a spring setback into a season-long absence for a reliever.

Uceta's absence reduces the Rays' relief depth at the start of 2027, which affects bullpen usage and any fantasy rosters that counted on him. Fantasy managers should account for his unavailability through at least the first couple months of next season.

The takeaway

A shoulder setback that looks minor in spring can grow into a season-long absence, so teams and fantasy managers should treat recurring injuries as a warning sign rather than a one-off. Planning around a reliever's recovery timeline early can prevent bullpen gaps from becoming costly later.