On April 18, 2025, the Tampa Bay Rays promoted outfielder Chandler Simpson to the major leagues following the injury of utility player Richie Palacios, who is sidelined with a right knee sprain.

Simpson, ranked as the No. 7 prospect in the Rays' organization by MLB Pipeline, had an impressive 2024 season, leading all minor league players with a .355 batting average and 104 stolen bases.

Originally drafted in the second round of the 2022 draft, Simpson transitioned from infield to outfield during his career and participated in spring training with the major league team.

He started the 2025 season at Triple-A Durham, where he hit .301 with eight steals in 17 games, showcasing his speed and contact ability.

This injury crisis has created significant gaps in the roster, making Simpson's timely introduction essential for maintaining competitive performance.

As of April 18, 2025, the Rays are 8-11 and sitting fifth in the AL East, half a game behind the Baltimore Orioles, while also being tied for fifth in MLB with 24 stolen bases.

Rays manager Kevin Cash expressed excitement about Simpson's potential, emphasizing his contact ability and speed as valuable additions to the team's lineup.

The team is expected to monitor how Simpson's integration affects dynamics and performance as they navigate through the current injury crisis.

His recent performance includes an impressive 8-for-11 stolen base streak, demonstrating his skill on the base paths and ability to turn routine ground balls into base hits.

Simpson's promotion represents a strategic shift for the Rays, highlighting the importance of speed and innovation in their offensive strategy.

However, Simpson will not be in the lineup for the second game of the series against the Yankees at Steinbrenner Field.

This strategic move aims to enhance the team's immediate performance and ensure depth for the remainder of the season.