Tampa Bay Rays infielder Richie Palacios went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer in a 4-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday. Palacios launched a two-run shot off of Toronto starter Chris Bassitt in the sixth inning as part of a three-run frame for the Rays. The veteran infielder has been productive for the Rays this season, hitting .259 with four homers, 19 runs, 11 RBI, and six steals across 112 at-bats. Palacios has been scuffling a bit at the plate of late, hitting just .185 over his past seven games, so hopefully his homer on Friday night will get him going.

The Tampa Bay Rays acquired left-handed-hitting outfielder Richie Palacios from the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday in exchange for right-handed reliever Andrew Kittredge, according to a source. Palacios made his debut for the Cardinals in 2023 when he was promoted on Aug. 18, and he posted an impressive .823 OPS with six home runs and 16 RBI in 102 plate appearances over 32 games to close out the year. In his rookie season in 2022, the 26-year-old hit .232 (26-for-112) with no homers and 10 RBI in 54 games for the Cleveland Guardians. He'll effectively be replacing Luke Raley, who was shipped to the Seattle Mariners on Friday, as a lefty hitting outfield bat for Tampa in 2024. But with Randy Arozarena, Jose Siri and Josh Lowe serving as regulars, Palacios should open the year as more of a fourth outfielder that will get bats here and there against right-handers.