Yandy Díaz Nears Top-Five Spot on Tampa Bay Rays' All-Time Home Run List

August 13, 2026

Cuban infielder Yandy Díaz keeps climbing the Tampa Bay Rays' record books. On August 12, 2026, the Villa Clara native hit his 16th home run of the season against the Oakland Athletics, a 439-foot blast with a 109.9 mph exit velocity, bringing his career total with the franchise to 115.

The home run moved Díaz past Ben Zobrist into sole possession of sixth place on the team's all-time home run list, leaving him just three shy of fifth place, held by B.J. Upton with 118. The Sagua la Grande native is also batting .298 this season, having already logged five games with at least four hits.

The milestone comes just weeks after Díaz recorded his 1,000th hit with the Rays in late July 2026, becoming only the fourth player in franchise history — and the first Cuban — to reach that mark. In September 2025, the corner infielder also reached 100 home runs for his MLB career.

Díaz, who left Cuba in 2013 and debuted in the majors with the Cleveland Indians before being traded to Tampa Bay in 2018, signed a three-year, $24 million contract extension in January 2023; the Rays exercised their option on him for 2026, with an additional clause tied to 2027.