Rays start spring games March 18, open season at the ‘Trop April 8
March 11, 2022 - After 99-days, Major League Baseball’s lockout ended Thursday, and Tampa Bay Rays fans will still have the opportunity to watch the team for a full season. Following the news, a chaotic start to the season commenced Friday, with players voluntarily reporting to Spring Training. Sunday, March 13, marks the first day players must mandatorily report for spring ball, and Rays fans can head to Port Charlotte to watch Tampa Bay take on the Minnesota Twins on Friday, March 18. While Commissioner Rob Manfred originally announced the cancellation of the first two weeks of the regular season, teams will still play a full 162-game schedule. The 2022 season officially begins April 7, and the Rays host the Baltimore Orioles the following day to kick off their season at Tropicana Field.