Littell (8-10) took the loss Wednesday against Detroit, allowing three earned runs on seven hits and zero walks while striking out seven in 4.2 innings.
Entering Wednesday's action on an 18-inning scoreless streak, Littell immediately served up a leadoff home run to Parker Meadows in the first. Littell was able to settle in afterwards, but the Rays' offense only mustered one run of support in the 7-1 defeat. After starting 18 games over the first six years of his career, Littell started 29 contests for the Rays in 2024, posting a respectable 3.63 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 141:31 K:BB in 156.1 innings (29 starts).
Littell (8-9) earned the win over Boston on Thursday, allowing one hit and recording seven strikeouts without issuing a walk over seven scoreless innings.
LIttell allowed just one baserunner in the outing (on a third-inning single). The right-hander retired the final 13 batters he faced and was ultra efficient, needing only 75 pitches to complete seven frames. LIttell has held his opponent scoreless in three straight starts, compiling a total of 18 scoreless innings while posting a 16:1 K:BB during that span. The outstanding stretch has lowered his season ERA to 3.56.
Littell (7-9) earned the win Friday against the Guardians, pitching six scoreless innings while allowing two hits and no walks. He struck out five.
The 28-year-old was stellar in this 89-pitch performance, as he generated an impressive 18 whiffs -- including 10 alone on his slider -- despite the relatively low number of punchouts. Littell has picked up consecutive wins while pitching 11 scoreless innings over his last two starts, and he appears to be fully recovered from his August shoulder trouble. He has pitched to a 3.73 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 127:31 K:BB across 144.2 innings this season. He is currently slated to make his next outing against the Blue Jays at home.
Littell (6-9) threw five scoreless innings to pick up the win Sunday against Baltimore, allowing three hits and one walk while striking out four.
Littell was sharp, limiting a potent Orioles offense to just three singles to earn his first win since Aug. 3. The 28-year-old has been excellent over his past six starts, allowing one or fewer runs in five of those outings, pitching to a 1.99 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 18:10 K:BB in 31.2 innings. Littell doesn't offer gaudy strikeout totals, but his superb command has allowed him to maintain consistency. On the year, the right-hander owns a 3.89 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 122:31 K:BB in 138.2 innings (26 starts). He will look to stay hot in his next start, currently scheduled for next weekend in Cleveland.
Littell (5-9) took the loss against the Twins on Monday, allowing four runs on seven hits and four walks with two strikeouts over four innings.
Littell was a bit rusty in his return from the injured list, walking a season-high four batters and surrendering a three-run homer in the third inning. On the plus side, his velocity was mostly in line with his season averages, and he generated a solid 11 whiffs on 78 pitches. The 28-year-old owns a 4.04 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 118:30 K:BB across 133.2 innings this season and lines up for a tough matchup with the Orioles this weekend.
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Rays' Zack Littell: Returns from IL, starting Monday
Rotowire
The Rays reinstated Littell (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Sunday, and he's scheduled to start Monday against the Twins, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
The right-hander landed on the shelf due to shoulder soreness after his last start Aug. 14 against Houston, but he's ready to rejoin the Rays as MLB rosters expand to 28 players Sunday. Littell will look to pick up where he left off, as he has a 1.19 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB in 22.2 innings across his past four starts.
Littell (shoulder) threw a simulated game Wednesday, MLB.com reports.
Manager Kevin Cash confirmed that Littell will not go on a rehab assignment. Assuming Littell's progress continues, he is expected to return to the rotation during the Rays' upcoming homestand, beginning Aug. 30 and ending Sept. 5.
