Rays game at Red Sox rained out, will be part of a July doubleheader

BOSTON - Through an ominous forecast for heavy rains throughout the afternoon and evening, the Boston Red Sox planned for Saturday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays to start on time at 4:10 p.m. ET.

But about 15 minutes before first pitch, with a steady rain falling at Fenway Park, they acknowledged what seemed inevitable - the game would not be played.

Rather than making up the game on Sunday, the teams will do so when the Rays return to Boston in the first series following the mid-July All-Star break.

Saturday's game will be played on July 17 at 1:35 p.m. as the first game of a split doubleheader. The teams were set to resume play that night with a 7:10 game.

The Rays will keep their pitching rotation in order, with Nick Martinez sliding to Sunday's matinee series finale facing Sox lefty Payton Tolle.

Drew Rasmussen, who was to pitch Sunday, will now pitch Monday when the Rays open a series in Toronto.

The unexpected day off will provide some additional rest for the Rays bullpen, which has been used heavily of late.

The rainout is the Rays' first since 2023.

Fresh arm added

Needing help a few weeks ago to cover innings at Triple-A Durham, Rays scouts took a look at options available in the Mexican league.

They were familiar with veteran Aaron Brooks from his work over parts of six major-league seasons and liked what they saw in his one start for Caliente de Durango enough to sign him to a minor-league deal on April 25.

The 36-year-old right-hander pitched twice for the Bulls (3 2/3 innings on April 28, five innings on May 3) and got word late Friday he was heading back to the majors for the first time since June 2024.

"You go from Mexico three weeks ago, now you're sitting in Fenway Park," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "Pretty cool."

Brooks, as most call-ups do, said he was "happy to be here." But, given where he was, it seemed he meant it.

"It's unreal," he said. "It's a blessing each and every day."

To make room on the active roster, the Rays sent right-hander Mason Englert, who worked 3 1/3 innings on Friday, to Durham, with plans to build him up to a starter workload.

"The thought with him is, let's get him stretched out and continue down that path," Cash said.

To make room on the 40-man roster, the Rays designated for assignment outfielder Justyn-Henry Malloy, who was acquired from Detroit in a January cash trade and was hitting .128 through 34 games at Durham.

Cash said Brooks is available to work in a variety of roles.

"He's had a unique couple weeks," he said. "Happy for him, and we'll put him in the bullpen and use him as needed."

Brooks has pitched parts of six seasons in the majors, starting with Kansas City in 2014. He also has pitched for the A's, Orioles and Cardinals. In 57 big-league games, he has a 9-15 record and 6.36 ERA.

He spent 2020-21 pitching in Korea, and parts of 2025 and this season pitching in Mexico.

Englert had been on the injured list for two weeks with forearm tightness and assigned to start rehab at Durham on Wednesday. But the Rays changed plans after starter Steven Matz was sidelined on Monday and had Englert come to Boston.

"Appreciate Mason Englert's work (Friday)," Cash said. "That helped keep some other guys from pitching, which is what we needed."

Remembering Bobby Cox

Cash and third-base coach Brady Williams reflected on longtime Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox, who died Saturday.

Cash, a Tampa native, said he watched the Braves a lot growing up and had a strong appreciation for what Cox did.

"Just the impact that he's had on the game - probably every manager in this business can look to some of his experiences and realize how special he was at his job, Cash said. "Then you hear his former players talk about how special he was behind the scenes as a person."

Williams' connection was through his father, Jimy, a coach for Cox with the Blue Jays and Braves.

Brady said learned what a "master" Cox was at managing a clubhouse as well as the game. He also got a sense of how competitive Cox and his dad were when Jimy got hired to manage the Red Sox and they faced the Braves.

"They set dinner up for after the game," Brady said, "and whoever lost didn't want to go."

Miscellany

Jonathan Aranda was scheduled to have Saturday off with Ryan Vilade starting at first. ... The Rays have allowed three or fewer earned runs in a team-record 15 straight games, the first team to do so since the 2022 Houston Astros ... Players on Sunday will have a full complement of pink gear to go along with pink socks, small ribbons on their jerseys and other accents to celebrate Mother's Day.

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This story was originally published May 9, 2026 at 2:16 PM.