- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Former Detroit Tigers Utility Man Earns First Career Opening Day Roster Spot
Ryan Vilade, 27, will open the 2026 season with the Tampa Bay Rays after a strong Triple-A campaign.
Mar. 22, 2026 at 2:33am
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Ryan Vilade, a former outfielder and utility player for the Detroit Tigers, has earned a spot on the Tampa Bay Rays' Opening Day roster for the first time in his career. Vilade, 27, appeared in just one MLB game in 2025 but had an outstanding season in Triple-A, hitting .290 with an .890 OPS in 461 plate appearances. That performance helped him land a big-league deal with the Rays last November.
Why it matters
Vilade's journey to the majors has been a long one, with stints in the minor leagues and brief call-ups with the Tigers and Rockies. His ability to earn an Opening Day roster spot with the Rays is a testament to his perseverance and development as a player, providing hope for other minor league players looking to break through to the big leagues.
The details
Originally drafted in the second round (48th overall) by the Colorado Rockies in 2017 out of Stillwater (Okla.) High School, Vilade made his MLB debut with the Rockies in 2021 at 22 years old, going hitless in seven plate appearances. He was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates after the 2022 season and then signed with the Tigers on a minor-league deal after the 2023 season. Vilade spent most of the 2024 season at Triple-A Toledo but had three stints in the big leagues with the Tigers, going 8-for-45 (.178) with a home run in 17 games. He was waived by the Tigers after the season and signed a minor-league deal with the St. Louis Cardinals. The Reds claimed him off waivers last June, and he appeared in just one game for Cincinnati in 2025 before signing with the Rays.
- Vilade made his MLB debut with the Rockies in 2021 at 22 years old.
- He was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates after the 2022 season.
- Vilade signed with the Tigers on a minor-league deal after the 2023 season.
- Vilade spent most of the 2024 season at Triple-A Toledo but had three stints in the big leagues with the Tigers.
- Vilade was waived by the Tigers after the 2024 season and signed a minor-league deal with the St. Louis Cardinals.
The players
Ryan Vilade
A 27-year-old former outfielder and utility player for the Detroit Tigers who has earned a spot on the Tampa Bay Rays' Opening Day roster for the first time in his career.
Kevin Cash
The manager of the Tampa Bay Rays.
Parker Meadows
A former center fielder for the Detroit Tigers who was demoted, leading to Vilade's call-up in 2024.
What they’re saying
“Ryan Vilade has won an Opening Day roster spot for the first time in his career.”
— Kevin Cash, Tampa Bay Rays manager
What’s next
Vilade will look to make the most of his first full-time opportunity in the major leagues with the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2026 season.
The takeaway
Vilade's journey to the majors has been a long and winding one, but his perseverance and development as a player have paid off with an Opening Day roster spot with the Tampa Bay Rays. His story provides hope for other minor league players looking to break through to the big leagues.
