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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The last time Randy Arozarena was at Tropicana Field, he watched the game from the left-field stands. 

Back on June 26, 2024, the day he was traded to the Mariners for a pair of prospects, Arozarena decided to sit with Rays fans and watch that night’s game vs. the Yankees in the “RandyLand� section of seats named after him. 

Now almost two years later, Arozarena is finally returning to the refurbished “Trop.�

After Hurricane Milton tore apart the building in the 2024 offseason, the Rays were forced to play at Steinbrenner Field — the Yankees’ spring training stadium in Tampa — all of last season. 

“I was very happy to walk in here,� Arozarena said through interpreter Freddy Llanos. “This building gave me a lot (of memories). I know I have a lot of fans here.�

The crowd gave Arozarena a long ovation when he came to the plate in the first inning. He took off his helmet and acknowledged them, as well as his former team.

“I know it’s going to be emotional,� he said. “I love these fans. They gave me a lot. I can remember my last day here when I got traded to Seattle being able to enjoy the game out there in RandyLand.�

Arozarena, who lives in the Tampa area in the offseason, saw the devastation that the hurricane caused in the area, including the stadium. The roof was ripped off the building. 

“They’ve done a good job,� he said. “For them to turn this around in less than a year, it didn’t surprise me.�

Arozarena's career blossomed with the Rays after being traded to the organization by the Cardinals.

"Very grateful to this organization," Arozarena said. "It gave me the chance to grow. Any ballplayer that comes through this organization, this team does it the right way. They let them be themselves and help them out to become the ballplayer they should become. I'm always grateful to them."

Emerson gets day off

For the first time since dealing with back spasms in early June, rookie Colt Emerson was out of the starting lineup. 

J.P. Crawford returned to shortstop for the series opener vs. the Rays. Buddy Kennedy got his first start for Seattle at third base.

Emerson is fighting through the always-difficult battle with MLB pitching avoiding your strengths and attacking your weaknesses. 

Since getting four hits vs. the Tigers on June 6, Emerson, who turns 21 on July 20, has posted a .174/.253/.291 slash line with a double, three homers and 10 RBI over his last 27 games and 95 plate appearances. Perhaps most alarming over that stretch are his 36 strikeouts vs. nine walks. Over his last 24 plate appearances, Emerson has just two hits and 11 strikeouts while showing obvious frustration — a break from his normally stoic facade. 

“He is going through some of the growing pains that you go through,� manager Dan Wilson said. “It looks like they're getting him to chase at stuff that's maybe a little bit out of the zone. At times, that can be difficult for a young guy. I think there’s a tendency to want to try and swing your way out of it, which can be difficult.�

The day off was a mental and physical break for Emerson. 

“Obviously he's played a lot along the way here,� manager Dan Wilson said. “And it is a major-league season. It's different than what he's experienced in the minor leagues. Finding spots to give him a little bit of a break here and there is important. And certainly tonight is one of those nights.�

Kade Anderson named Futures Game starter

Mariners top pitching prospect Kade Anderson was named the starting pitcher for the American League in the 2026 Futures Game. 

Anderson, the No. 3 overall pick in last year’s MLB draft, is considered the top pitching prospect in baseball after a dominant start to his first professional season. 

The lefty has made 14 starts this season for Double-A Arkansas, posting an 8-1 record with a 1.36 ERA. In 72⅔ innings pitched, he’s struck out 108 batters with only 10 walks. He’s averaging 13.4 strikeouts per nine innings with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 10.80. Opposing hitters have posted a .160/.240/.435 slash line against him this season. 

Anderson’s rotation-mate, Ryan Sloan, who is considered one of the best right-handed pitching prospects in baseball, was also selected for the Futures Game and will pitch in relief.