Rays Place Lowe on 10-Day IL, Acquire Fairchild from Braves

The Tampa Bay Rays placed All-Star second baseman Brandon Lowe on the 10-day injured list due to tendinitis in his left ankle, retroactive to July 20, with the potential to return before the July 31 trade deadline. Lowe, who has been struggling with plantar fasciitis and missed time before the All-Star break due to an oblique injury, has appeared in 87 games this season with a .269 batting average, 19 home runs, and 58 RBIs. To fill Lowe's roster spot, the Rays acquired outfielder Stuart Fairchild from the Atlanta Braves for cash considerations; Fairchild is a versatile player able to cover all outfield positions but is not a strong offensive producer. The Rays transferred right-handed reliever Manuel Rodriguez to the 60-day injured list to make room for Fairchild on the 40-man roster. Lowe is in the final guaranteed year of his contract, but Tampa Bay holds an $11.5 million club option for 2026, allowing for some roster flexibility. Fairchild, who was designated for assignment by Atlanta, has experience with six MLB teams and is known for his speed and defensive versatility.