Mason Englert: Everything you need to know

Tampa Bay optioned Englert to Triple-A Durham on Saturday. In his most recent stint with the Rays, Englert pitched in two games, allowing just one run on four hits with a 6:2 K:BB over nine innings. He threw 65 pitches while covering four frames Friday against the Angels, so he was likely going to be unavailable for a few days, and Tampa Bay decided to send him down to make room for Craig Kimbrel (wrist) to return from the injured list. Englert could be back with Tampa Bay the next time the team needs a reliever capable of covering multiple innings on the big-league roster.

The Rays elected not to deploy Englert, who was expected to work in a bulk relief role Monday against the Red Sox, after Ian Seymour pitched the first four innings, and the rest of the bullpen held up, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports. Englert was called up to provide length for Tampa Bay during Monday's clash, but the game played out in a way that didn't require skipper Kevin Cash to call on the right-hander. Englert was spotted warming in the bullpen a few times throughout the game, though the Rays' relievers did their jobs, resulting in a 3-1 victory over the Red Sox. Cash failed to mention the plan for Englert going forward. He'll presumably be available to provide either long relief or a start later in the week as needed.

Englert will follow Ian Seymour for Monday's game against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Englert was recalled by the Rays from Triple-A Durham on Wednesday, and he'll take to the mound Monday after Seymour tosses one or two innings. Englert has spent the majority of the 2026 season in the majors and has a 4.71 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 16:4 K:BB across 21 innings. His last outing was against the Tigers on the same day he was called up from the minors, when he allowed one run on four hits while striking out three batters across five innings.