Jacob Melton - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Here's where the Rays' Top 30 prospects will start the 2026 season With the Minor League season kicking off, here's where the Rays’ Top 30 Prospects are projected to start: 1. Theo Gillen (MLB No. 72), OF --...

APRIL 3 • MLB.COM

Rays option top prospects Williams, Melton to Minors for everyday work PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- The Rays optioned shortstop Carson Williams and outfielder Jacob Melton to Minor League camp on Tuesday, sending dow...

MARCH 17 • MLB.COM

Starting season at Triple-A The Rays optioned Melton to Triple-A Durham on Tuesday, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Impact 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.

MARCH 17 • ROTOWIRE

Back in action Sunday 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.

Impact 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.

MARCH 1 • ROTOWIRE

Scratched due to sore thumb Melton was scratched from Thursday's Grapefruit League game versus the Red Sox due to a slightly sore left thumb, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact At the moment, it doesn't seem like an injury that will force Melton to miss more than a day or two. The 25-year-old outfielder has gone 2-for-9 with one home run and a 1:5 BB:K in his first four games this spring as he attempts to win a spot on the Rays' Opening Day roster. Homer Bush will start Thursday in Melton's place.

FEBRUARY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Jacob Melton shows Rays fans why they took a chance on him Acquiring this talented prospect was bittersweet as it brought about many fond memories. The Rays dealt arguably the best second baseman in...

FEBRUARY 23 • RAYSCOLOREDGLASSES.COM

Encouraging start to spring Melton went 1-for-3 with a solo home run during Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates.

Impact After joining the Rays this past offseason as part of the Brandon Lowe trade, Melton made a strong impression in his second game of the spring. While it looks like the 25-year-old outfielder is set to begin the year in a part-time role, a strong spring could increase Melton's chances of earning more frequent at-bats. It's worth mentioning Chandler Simpson is nursing a tight left hamstring, which further opens the door for Melton in the outfield for the time being.

FEBRUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Melton's eventful game: Diving catch in wind, loud homer through it BRADENTON, Fla. -- Jacob Melton had two very different experiences with balls soaring through the sky on a windy Sunday afternoon at LECOM P...

FEBRUARY 22 • MLB.COM

'He hits the ball like Yandy': Melton making waves in 1st Rays camp PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- It takes a lot to stand out in a batting practice group with Junior Caminero. Jacob Melton did just that Tuesday mor...

FEBRUARY 18 • MLB.COM

2026 MLB Free Agent Signings, Trades: Dodgers Sign Pitcher to $6.5M Pact

Keeping tabs on all of MLB's notable free agency signings, trades, and extensions ahead of the 2026 season.

FEBRUARY 11 • FOX SPORTS

2026 MLB Free Agent Signings, Trades: Dodgers Sign Pitcher to $6.5M Pact

Shipped to Tampa Bay The Rays acquired Melton and Anderson Brito from the Astros on Friday in a three-team trade that sent Mike Burrows to the Astros and Brandon Lowe, Jake Mangum and Mason Montgomery...

Impact Melton was one of Houston's top prospects, and the 25-year-old got his first taste of MLB action last season, appearing in 32 games for the Astros. The outfielder slashed .157/.234/.186 with one triple, seven RBI, seven runs scored, seven stolen bases and a 6:29 BB:K across 78 big-league plate appearances. He figures to initially slot into Tampa Bay's outfield mix behind Chandler Simpson, Cedric Mullins, Josh Lowe and potentially even Jake Fraley.

DECEMBER 19, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Pirates acquire All-Star 2B Brandon Lowe in three-team trade involving the Rays and the Astros

The Pittsburgh Pirates have made a bold move by agreeing to acquire two-time All-Star second baseman Brandon Lowe from Tampa Bay

DECEMBER 19, 2025 • Associated Press

Rays to receive OF Melton, RHP Brito in 3-way trade; Lowe to Pirates (source) The Rays are set to acquire outfielder Jacob Melton and right-hander Anderson Brito in a three-way deal with the Astros and Rays that is pen...

DECEMBER 19, 2025 • MLB.COM

Astros predicted to trade No. 2 prospect Jacob Melton for $13 million 163 strikeout starter to increase rotation depth | Sporting News This could be a smart move by both sides.

DECEMBER 3, 2025 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Recalled, will start in finale The Astros recalled Melton from Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday. He'll start in center field and bat ninth in the season finale versus the Angels.

Impact With one game remaining in the season, Melton will join Houston after shortstop Jeremy Pena (oblique) was placed on the injured list with the Astros having been officially eliminated from playoff contention. Over 73 plate appearances with the big club this season, Melton has slashed .149/.219/.179 with a 38.4 percent strikeout rate.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Astros reinstate CF Jake Meyers after nearly 2 months on injured list with calf injury

The Houston Astros reinstated Jake Meyers from the injured list before Saturday’s game at Texas after the center fielder spent nearly two months sidelines with a calf injury

SEPTEMBER 6, 2025 • Associated Press

Heads back to Triple-A The Astros optioned Melton to Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact With Jake Meyers (calf) back from the 10-day IL, Melton will return to Sugar Land after slashing .149/.219/.179 with one triple, seven RBI, seven runs scored, six stolen bases and a 5:28 BB:K across his first 74 big-league plate appearances this season.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Last Night in Baseball: Astros Come Back Against Then Hold Off Yankees in Wild W

The Astros down the Yankees in a sloppy game for New York, Matt Chapman goes yard twice, the White Sox break a terrible streak and more from...

SEPTEMBER 4, 2025 • FOX SPORTS

Last Night in Baseball: Astros Come Back Against Then Hold Off Yankees in Wild W

Losing out on playing time Melton is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Angels.

Impact The left-handed Melton will hit the bench for the fourth time in five games while the Astros face off against southpaw Yusei Kikuchi in the series finale. Though three of Melton's absences during that stretch have come against left-handed pitching, his playing time versus righties could soon dwindle. Not only is Jake Meyers (calf) poised to return from the injured list perhaps as soon as this weekend, but Mauricio Dubon has also gotten more looks in center field of late while Melton has slashed just .149/.219/.179 in 73 plate appearances to begin his big-league career.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Losing out on playing time Melton is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Angels.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Idle against lefty Melton is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles.

Impact Melton and fellow left-handed-hitting outfielder Jesus Sanchez will head to the bench for the second time in the series while the Orioles send another lefty (Trevor Rogers) to the bump for the finale. Chas McCormick will replace Melton in center field and will bat ninth.

AUGUST 24, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting against righty Melton is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Before sitting against ace left-hander Tarik Skubal in the Astros' 1-0 loss Tuesday, the left-handed-hitting Melton had been included in the lineup in each of the Tigers' previous three matchups with righties. However, he went just 1-for-10 with a 0:7 BB:K in those contests, and he'll remain on the bench Wednesday as Detroit sends a righty (Charlie Morton) to the bump for the series finale. Taylor Trammell will get the starting nod in center field at Melton's expense.

AUGUST 20, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting against righty Melton is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

AUGUST 20, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Getting regular run in center field Melton is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Impact Melton will stick in the starting nine for the fourth time in five games. Though he may have the opportunity to handle a strong-side platoon role in center field until Jake Meyers (calf) returns from the injured list, Melton is slashing just .200/.250/.244 with a 39.6 percent strikeout rate over his first 48 big-league plate appearances.

AUGUST 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Getting regular run in center field Melton will start in center field and bat eighth in Sunday's game against the Orioles, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

AUGUST 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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2026 MLB Free Agent Signings, Trades: Dodgers Sign Pitcher to $6.5M Pact

Pirates acquire All-Star 2B Brandon Lowe in three-team trade involving the Rays and the Astros

Astros reinstate CF Jake Meyers after nearly 2 months on injured list with calf injury

Last Night in Baseball: Astros Come Back Against Then Hold Off Yankees in Wild W