Jacob Melton: Everything you need to know

Jacob Melton

#29 LF

Status

7-Day IL - Ankle - Sprain Expected Return: 2026-06-01

STATS

Preseason
Date	Opp	Result	AB	R	H	1B	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	HBP	K	SB	CS	TB
3/16	ATL	L 11-2	3	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	1
3/15	PIT	W 6-1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
3/14	MIN	W 9-6	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0	0	0
3/11	ATL	L 5-3	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0
3/9	DET	4-4	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0
3/6	NYY	L 3-0	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	0	0
3/3	MIN	W 5-3	3	1	1	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	4	0	0	1
3/2	PIT	L 4-1	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	6	0	1	0
3/1	ATL	L 5-3	3	1	1	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	6	0	0	4
2/25	BAL	L 4-3	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	7	0	0	0
2/24	MIN	W 12-1	1	1	1	0	1	0	0	1	1	0	1	0	0	2
2/22	PIT	L 7-4	3	1	1	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	4	0	0	4
2/21	ATL	L 5-1	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0	0	0
Preseason Totals			31	4	5	2	1	0	2	4	2	0	45	0	1	12

Jacob Melton: Breaking News

Melton (ankle) is expected to be out of action for at least four weeks, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports. Melton suffered a Grade 2 left ankle sprain in a minor-league game Tuesday, and he could be sidelined for as much as six weeks. The timetable for a return likely means the 25-year-old outfielder will be on the shelf until at least some point in late May. Melton, one of Tampa Bay's top prospects, was slashing .231/.346/.431 with 10 extra-base hits, 10 RBI, 13 runs scored and 17 stolen bases over 82 plate appearances for Triple-A Durham before going down.

The Rays optioned Melton to Triple-A Durham on Tuesday, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports. Acquired from the Astros in a three-team trade over the winter, Melton was pushing for the fourth outfielder job with the Rays but will instead start the season at Triple-A. The 25-year-old Melton made his MLB debut last season with Houston and posted a .419 OPS with one extra-base hit, seven RBI, seven runs scored, seven stolen bases and a 6:29 BB:K across 78 trips to the plate.

Melton (thumb) is starting in center field and batting second in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. The 25-year-old was scratched from the lineup Thursday due to soreness in his left thumb, but he's good to go a few days later. Barring an aggravation of the injury, Melton should be in the clear as he competes for a spot on Tampa Bay's Opening Day roster.