Tampa Bay Rays Start 2025 Season with New Venue and Ownership Uncertainty
The Rays open the 2025 season on Friday against the Rockies at Steinbrenner Field due to hurricane damage at Tropicana Field. The team’s strong pitching and mounting ownership sale rumors add to the season’s intrigue.
Published on April 1, 2025
The Tampa Bay Rays began their 2025 season on Friday against the Rockies at Steinbrenner Field after Hurricane Milton rendered Tropicana Field uninhabitable. The temporary home, rapidly renovated in just 120 hours, now features updated amenities including improved dugout misters, expanded player training areas, and enhanced sightlines, as reported on March 29, 2025. These changes provide a fresh backdrop for a team that relies on a star-studded pitching rotation featuring ace Shane McClanahan and key starters such as Drew Rasmussen and Ryan Pepiot, with Brandon Lowe leading the batting lineup.
Amid these venue changes, rumors have intensified regarding owner Stu Sternberg, who faces heightened pressure over a failed $1.3 billion stadium deal in St. Petersburg. With discussions of potential new buyers and ongoing concerns about a long-term home in the Tampa Bay area, the team is navigating both on-field challenges and off-field uncertainties as the season unfolds.