One game in the season and the Rays are already dealing with a gut punch. Outfielder Josh Lowe, assumed to be a vital talent in 2025, is heading for an MRI after suffering an oblique injury on Opening Day. If history tells us anything, an oblique injury does not just go away overnight. It is the kind of setback which raises quick concerns. The issue is not just for Lowe, but for a Rays team already walking a tightrope in the AL East.
This is hardly the fresh beginning Josh Lowe was thinking to get. His 2024 season was a rollercoaster, filled with inconsistency and missed time, he missed 46 games in 2024 due to a similar oblique strain. He slashed .241 with 32 home runs, 130 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. This number highlights the flashes of value however, struggling to identify his power. His rising strikeout rate, 31.8 percent and OPS drop from .835 in 2023 to .693 in 2024 painted a concerning picture.
Now, just as he looked to establish momentum, he is back on the injury report. The timing could not be worse. Oblique injuries are notoriously tricky, taking weeks—if not months—to heal. Lowe sustained the injury during a fifth-inning at-bat in the Rays’ 3-2 victory over the Colorado Rockies. After fouling off a pitch, he delivered a two-out single but displayed visible discomfort while running to first base. He was subsequently placed on the 10-day injured list. If this one adopt that script, the team will have to shuffle their outfield plans fast.
#Rays outfielder Josh Lowe appears to be heading to the team’s injured list:https://t.co/MZxJh2SISU pic.twitter.com/fLLFCcOSS0
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) March 29, 2025
However, this is not just related to missing a few weeks—it is related to what this is for Lowe long-period. After a breakout 2023, his performance decreased in Rays. In 2025, the Rays manager Kevin Cash needed him to take a step forward. However, instead, he is back in the trainer’s room. This development not only affects Lowe’s season but also puts immediate pressure on a Rays team already operating on thin margins in the AL East.
How Rays will navigate Josh Lowe’s absence?
Josh Lowe injury not only forces quick adjustments but also raises larger questions related to Tampa Bay’s roster-establishment approach. The team has long been identified for enhancing talent internally instead of making splashy acquisitions. However, Lowe’s durability concerns now test that approach. Do they need to continue relying on their internal pipeline?
Without him, the team will likely turn to Jonny DeLuca and Taylor walls to fill the gap in the outfield. In the 2024 MLB season, Jonny DeLuca had a .217 batting average, 6 HR, 16 stolen bases and a .609 OPS. He carries intriguing power, however, lacks vital MLB experience, having played just 26 big-league games. On the contrary, Walls is a versatile talent with .282 AVG in 2024. However, he lacks Lowe’s defensive range and base-stealing capability. This makes Tampa Bay’s depth a vital question mark—specifically with a long 162-game season ahead.
The Rays could analyze outer options if Lowe’s absence extends. In the 2024 MLB season, the Rays finished 4th in the AL East Division with a record of 80-82, missing the playoffs. If Lowe remains out for an extended period, should they look to trade for a more stable outfield option? How Lowe bounces back will not only shape his future but could also effect the Rays’ approach at the trade deadline.
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