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Sleep King - Where the Prices Are a Sweet Dream!

There are a lot of mattress companies in South Carolina that claim to have the perfect mattress for everyone. At Sleep King, we believe that every person is different and has different needs when it comes to their mattress. That's why our mattress store in Atlanta, GA, has a wide variety of beds and brands to choose from. That way, you can find the right mattress for your body and get the very best sleep quality possible.

As a family-owned and operated mattress store with more than 40 years of experience in the sleep industry, we know a thing or two about comfortable mattresses. Atlanta residents choose Sleep King because we provide our customers with a personalized shopping experience. When you walk through our showroom doors, we want you to feel comfortable - both on our mattresses and with our store associates. At Sleep King, you won't ever have to worry about pushy salespeople and limited selection. Instead, you will discover that we encourage you to take your time as you search for your next bed. Sleep is incredibly important, and by proxy, finding the right mattress for your body type is too.

When you visit our showroom in Atlanta, know that we are a full-service store with mattress experts ready to help. From questions about mattresses and their warranties to financing and mattress delivery, there's no question we haven't heard before.

We carry some of the most popular brands in America, and unlike other mattress stores in Atlanta, offer them at the lowest prices around, guaranteed. There's a reason why we were voted your #1 mattress store in the Lowcountry - because we truly care about our customers and their quality of sleep!

Looking for discounts? Need to buy your mattress on a strict budget? We've got you covered at our new mattress clearance center in Atlanta, where we have more than 50 models on display at 50-80% off retail value. Don't forget to ask us about our flexible financing options, where no credit is needed to make a purchase. Paying cash? We'll knock 5% off your bill!

As if that weren't enough reason to visit, remember that we provide free delivery, setup, and removal of your old mattress for FREE when you make a purchase at Sleep king.

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Why Choose Our Mattress
Store in Atlanta, GA?

Our business model is simple - give customers quality beds from national brands at amazing prices, coupled with unmatched customer service. We know that your sleep is essential but also understand that normal folks aren't made of money. You need a solution that isn't going to break the bank, which is why we offer up to 75% off our products.

Mattress Store Atlanta, GA

When we say we have a bed for every budget, we're serious.
A few of our mix and match deals include:

Sets Prize
Twin Mattress Sets Beginning at $169.00
Full Mattress Sets Beginning at $199.00
Queen Mattress Sets Beginning at $229.00
King Mattress Sets Beginning at $449.00

Of course, a mattress would be incomplete without a headboard, footboard, and rails. For queen mattresses, those items combined are only $199. At our mattress store, we pledge to beat any competitor's price on similar product specs - guaranteed! Here are just a few of the benefits of shopping at Mattress King

  • *FREE* Bed Frame for Your New Bed*
  • *FREE* Same-Day Local Mattress Delivery to Your Home*
  • *FREE* Set-Up & Removal of Old Mattress from Your Home*
  • *FREE* Mattress Pad Included with New Mattress*
  • Rest Easy with Our 60-Day Comfort Guarantee
  • We Have the Best Selection of Mattresses in Atlanta with Five National Vendors
  • On-Time Delivery
  • Best Warranties in the Industry
  • Sleep King Will Beat Anyone's Advertise Price by $50*(on purchases $299 and above)
  • 0% Financing for 48 Months (APR, With Approved Credit)
  • *See Store for Additional Details
Our Selection of National Mattress Brands

Our Selection of
National Mattress
Brands

At Sleep King, we carry the largest selection of high-quality national brand mattresses in Atlanta.

Mattress Store Atlanta, GA
Mattress Store Atlanta, GA

Sleep King MLILY Mattresses

Often considered the best mattress brand in the world, innovation sets MLILY mattresses apart from others. Our customers love MLILY mattresses because they are expertly built through decades of research and rigorous testing. The folks at MLILY are committed to precision, meaning every detail of product detail they push is geared towards the ultimate satisfaction and comfort.

Mattress Store Atlanta, GA

Sleep Restonic Mattresses

Restonic Mattresses: Restonic line of mattresses are multi-layered beds with cooling foam technology that adds resilience, support, and temperature control. The result is a cool, comfy sleep that leaves you refreshed and ready to attack the day.

Mattress Store Atlanta, GA

Sleep King Comfort Sleep Mattresses

Every mattress in the Comfort Sleep lineup has a great combo of support and comfort, making for a restful night's sleep. With heavy-gauge coils and high-performance materials, these mattresses are durable and built to last. Be sure to try one of these mattresses out in our showroom - our customers love the pocketed coils and minimal motion transfer.

Mattress Store Atlanta, GA

Sleep King Golden Mattresses

The Golden brand is lesser known than some, like Tempurpedic. Still, it is a quality product with many foam and non-foam options that we think you'll love. Choose from standard memory foam, hybrid, and innerspring options while visiting our showroom in Atlanta.

Tips on Choosing the Best Bed

There's much more to choosing a good bed than how you think it will look in your bedroom. There's plenty to think about, from innerspring options to memory foam and even hybrid mattresses. At Sleep King, our priority is our customers. We pride ourselves on excellent customer service. We want to do right by you, which why we want to be sure you find the perfect bed when you visit our mattress store in Atlanta, GA. To help you get started, here are a few tips on choosing the best bed for your sleep needs.

Visit a Showroom

Visit a Showroom

This tip might seem like a no-brainer to some, but it's important that you visit a showroom so that you can lay on different beds to get a feel for what you like. At Mattress King, you will have the chance to explore different styles, designs, and shapes, and mattress materials. Finding a bed online at a price you can afford is great, but you should lie on the bed first, not just look at it on a screen.

Mattress Store Atlanta, GA
Determine Budget

Determine Budget

Here's a surprising fact: just because a mattress costs more money, it doesn't mean it's going to be a better bed. Sure, more expensive beds might have newer technologies and materials, but not everyone has the budget to walk into a mattress store in Atlanta and spend $3,000. Figure out what price range you're comfortable paying and look at the best options for your bottom line.

Mattress Store Atlanta, GA
Consider Bedroom Size

Consider Bedroom Size

Before you swing by our showroom and start trying out beds, it might be a good idea to measure the space where your new mattress will go. If your bedroom is on the small side, a king-sized bed might be too big. Similarly, a small bed in a huge room might make for strange aesthetics. Aim for a reasonable amount of room around your bed - enough where you can walk around comfortably. As mentioned above, get specific measurements of the area you plan to use. That way, you have peace of mind knowing your new mattress will fit in your bedroom.

Mattress Store Atlanta, GA
Consider Bedroom Size

Choose a Mattress Material

This tip often comes down to personal preference. It will take a little bit of trial and error to figure out which material works best for your back - innerspring, memory foam, or latex. While your friend's and family's opinions matter, keep in mind that their mattress choice was subjective. What works for them won't necessarily work for you.

Need a quick refresher on different mattress materials? Here's a quick overview
Mattress Store Atlanta, GA

Innerspring

Also called coil mattresses, innerspring beds are probably the most well-known on this short list. Innerspring mattresses are often more affordable than their latex and memory foam counterparts. These beds are ideal for people who want a lot of support and a cooler night's sleep.

Latex

This material is known for its great cooling properties and overall comfort. With latex, there are no strange off-gassing odors like you sometimes get with memory foam. Latex mattresses are ideal for people who want a responsive, bouncy feel and may have problems sleeping hot.

Memory Foam

First developed by NASA in the 70s, memory foam is probably the most popular material in the modern mattress market. Memory foam conforms to every inch of your body, giving you maximum comfort and support. Memory foam is also know for its anti-motion properties. Memory foam can be a great choice if you tend to toss and turn at night and sleep with a partner who wakes up when you do. Memory foam mattresses are ideal for people who need pressure relief, good support, and refreshing comfort.

Think About Your Back

Think About Your Back

If you have a bad back, it's crucial that you find a mattress with proper support. Slat and spring beds often offer plenty of support, but latex and memory foam options have come a long way. If you want memory foam or latex but find the support to be subpar, consider an adjustable base instead of a normal platform. That way, you can always sleep in a comfortable position that benefits your back.

Mattress Store Atlanta, GA

Your Premier Furniture Store
Atlanta, GA

You read that right! Sleep King is the first choice for quality beds in Atlanta, but we also have a huge selection of furniture for your home. If you're looking for a one-stop-shop for mattresses and furniture alike, you have come to the right place. If you're shopping for a new mattress at the best price possible, why not throw in a bedroom suite at an amazing price too?

A few common furniture items that our customers love to add
to their mattress purchase include:
Mattress Store Atlanta, GA

Living Room Sets - from traditional-style suites with classic textures to modern sets with attractive upholstery, we will help you find the best living room set for your home.

Bedroom Suites - our bedroom suites range from contemporary to classic and come in a variety of colors and styles to compliment your new mattress purchase.

Daybeds - from English-style daybeds available in espresso and cherry colors to multi-purpose beds with pull-out trundles, our selection of daybeds is unbeatable.

Futons - if you have younger children, they will love our futons. Who are we kidding? Adults do too! Futons are incredibly useful in small spaces and convert into comfy-cozy beds perfect for kids of all ages.

Bunkbeds - bunkbeds are another great option to consider if you have kids. Whether you have a classic-style home or an apartment, we have a style that fits you.

At Sleep King, we are proud to have the lowest prices in the Lowcountry

If you like what you see but don't have time to visit our mattress store in Atlanta, don't worry. Our online store is bursting with new items and deals every day. From mattresses and bedding to furniture sets and special sale items, Mattress King has got it all. With the highest quality mattresses, the best prices in Atlanta, a giant showroom with all the options, and a full team of helpful sales associates, you won't ever need to find another mattress and furniture store again!

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Latest News in Atlanta, GA

What If Vaughn Grissom can’t handle shortstop

It is safe to say that most Atlanta Braves fans want to see Vaughn Grissom have an excellent year in 2023 and beyond. Even though he did cool off, it is pretty evident that his bat can be effective at the MLB level.In a small sample size of 156 plate appearances (forty-one games), Grissom had a wRC+ of 121, which equates to 21.0 percent better than league aver...

It is safe to say that most Atlanta Braves fans want to see Vaughn Grissom have an excellent year in 2023 and beyond. Even though he did cool off, it is pretty evident that his bat can be effective at the MLB level.

In a small sample size of 156 plate appearances (forty-one games), Grissom had a wRC+ of 121, which equates to 21.0 percent better than league average. He had a slash line of .291/.353/.440. A slash line like that across a full season would make any manager ecstatic.

Although metrics show he is in line for regression, he would need a massive drop off to not be a bat worth getting significant playing time.

The question mark with Grissom is if he can handle SS. Ron Washington seems to be high on him, and based on the lack of depth added as a contingency plan, it appears that it is his job to lose. If we look back when we talked about his defensive metrics, we see that they do not favor great glove work so far.

It is a small sample size at 2nd base from 2022, but Fangraphs’ defensive runs saved and ultimate zone rating did not take kindly to his work with the glove. In 347.0 innings, Grissom had -3 DRS and -1.8 UZR. In terms of Outs Above Average, he had -5.0. dWAR from Baseball Reference factors in position, so had he played SS it would have likely been a bit higher, but he had a dWAR of -0.3

So, what happens if Grissom can’t handle SS?

The real question is: If worse comes to worst, what are the options that the Atlanta Braves have to fill SS from a defensive standpoint? Grissom could still be used in a super utility type role and still bring tremendous value to the team in that capacity. Think Ben Zobrist, or Chris Taylor in his prime.

The first option in a short-term fashion would be to shift Grissom to a super utility role with Orlando Arcia filling the SS spot. Even though Arcia had arguably the best year of his career in terms of hitting, this scenario would not be flashy. Arcia had a wRC+ of 104 in 234 plate appearances (68 games). Prior to 2022, he never had a wRC+ higher than 97, and that was during the COVID shortened season.

A positive note shows that his underlying metrics show that his offensive performance was not a fluke. His .244 batting average was below his xBA of .253. His .416 slugging was lower than his xSLG of .421, and his wOBA of .321 was lower than his xwOBA of .329.

His approach, which we covered in great detail back in October, of waiting on fastballs and crushing them has worked well for him.

Arcia’s walk rate of 9.0 percent was well above his average of 6.3 percent.

Defensively, Arcia had an uncharacteristically bad year with the glove. Of course, prior to 2022, Arcia had only had 9.0 innings at 2nd base during his time at the MLB level. In 2023, he played 398.2.

Could it be that the position change was a difficult adjustment? In 2017, 2018, and 2020 Arcia’s Outs Above Average (OOA) was in the top 11.0 percent, 6.0 percent, and 26.0 percent respectively (all of which at SS). But, in 2022, it was in the bottom 19.0 percent.

As far as DRS goes, he was right at league average at 2B with 0, but UZR did not favor his work at -1.1. In total, Arcia has a career 407.2 innings at 2nd with -1.0 DRS and -2.2 UZR.

In 4274.0 innings at SS, Arcia has 9 DRS and -6.0 UZR. It should also be noted that since the start of 2019, Arcia has -6.0 DRS.

Using Arcia instead of a trade does make sense due to him already being on payroll at an extremely palatable rate of 1.5 million dollars towards the luxury tax.

So, there are mixed results as to if Arcia would actually be that much of a defensive upgrade to Grissom at SS. So, if the Braves are to the point that if they need defense, they may want to explore a trade at some point in the season (if Grissom has to move positions, of course).

Nick Ahmed

Nick Ahmed is not a name that is heard very often across social media platforms or anything like that, especially since he only played in seventeen games in 2022. However, when healthy he is one of, if not the best defender at SS in MLB.

The Diamondbacks are obviously not going to be competing anytime soon with the Dodgers and Padres looking to duke it out for the NLW title, and Ahmed is a free agent after the year.

He has never been a threat with his bat. His highest output was a 96.0 wRC+ in 2020 shortened season. His career wRC+ is a well below average 75.0.

However, what he lacks with the bat he more than makes up for with his glove. In terms of DRS, he has accumulated 79.0 since 2014. That is not a typo. He has also accumulated 12.9 UZR. In terms of Outs Above Average, in the years that he qualified from 2017 to 2021 he was top 5.0 percent, leader in OOA, top 1.0 percent, top 1.0 percent, and leader of OOA respectively.

If we look at SABR’s Defensive Index (SDI), he does not rate quite as well, but every year that he qualified he has been in the top seven defensive players at SS with multiple top ten rankings regardless of position.

With Ahmed seemingly not costing an exuberant amount via trade capitol, it would make a lot of sense for the Atlanta Braves to pick him up as a rental to fill the gap since they are legitimate championship contenders this year. With an AAV of 8.125 million dollars, it would not be a huge hit in terms of luxury tax payroll.

Of course, a trade is not guaranteed because both parties would have to come to an agreement.

These two options make the most sense, but there are of course other trade options. The remaining free agents don’t make much sense, but Alex Anthopoulos is known for his crafty trades.

Are there other trade options?

Could the Braves look at someone like Jorge Mateo, who is an obvious glove first SS being in the bottom of the league in every offensive category as far as XSTATS, but elite defensively with being top 3.0 percent in OAA in 2022? He would obviously not be the long term answer, but could be a defensive compliment to Grissom’s bat first approach. Odds are slim, because they would have to give up some capital from a slim farm since Mateo is under team control through 2025. We also don’t know if Baltimore is ready to take the next step towards competing with a roster that is on the verge.

Nico Hoerner no longer is the starting SS for the Cubs, but he would likely cost even more than Mateo having a 4.0 fWAR season and being under control through 2025.

Other than these three trade options, most other defense savvy options are on teams that will most likely be looking to compete either this year or the near future.

Summary

Like stated earlier, most Atlanta Braves fans surely are rooting for Grissom to be able to handle everyday duties at SS. However, if time goes by and it is discovered that he cannot, the options are limited to pretty much Arcia, Ahmed as a rental, or paying prospect capital for a player that would be simply to upgrade defensively.

Here is to hoping that the faith Ron Washington has been showing in Grissom pays off.

+7000

+5500

Trae Young ‘not gonna Fred VanVleet’ officials after Marcus Smart scuffle in Celtics win

There were some sparks that flew late in the Celtics’ win over the Hawks as Marcus Smart and Trae Young were involved in an altercation with 1:25 left in the game. Smart took exception to Young’s foot hitting his groin area, and he let the Hawks guard know that.The scuffle eventually led to both Young and Smart hitting the ground after players and officials tried ...

There were some sparks that flew late in the Celtics’ win over the Hawks as Marcus Smart and Trae Young were involved in an altercation with 1:25 left in the game. Smart took exception to Young’s foot hitting his groin area, and he let the Hawks guard know that.

The scuffle eventually led to both Young and Smart hitting the ground after players and officials tried to break them up after the two players were arguing. After review, Smart was ejected and Young was hit with a technical foul.

Young said postgame he has “nothing much to say” and that he didn’t get an explanation on why he got the tech. The officials said Young got the tech because he got up and pointed at Smart’s face, which was deemed “inappropriate.”

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Young did draw some laughs, though, when he was asked how he kept his composure after the incident.

“I’m not gonna Fred VanVleet these people,” Young said. “I’m just going to keep it there.”

VanVleet recently made headlines when he went on a rant about the officials, calling out a specific referee in Ben Taylor. VanVleet’s profanity-filled rant included how some specific referees are the problem, including how some can target certain players.

Smart agreed with VanVleet, saying earlier “I’m gonna let Fred do all the talking,” when he was recently asked about officials targeting him. Smart held back for the most part when asked earlier about the refs, but he did detail how he’s felt at times that “an official had a personal vendetta.”

“They have bad days, just like we do,” Smart said. “So it’s only fair to notice and understand and have empathy in the fact that sometimes they’re gonna let their emotions get the best of them and make calls and judgment calls the way that they officiate. It happens. As players we just want that consistency. Just like for us, we get emotional, too. But, for us, we get in trouble for it. And we just want that consistency around. And that’s it.”

Fortunately for the Celtics, they went on to beat the Hawks 134-125 after Smart’s ejection. The C’s opened a six-game road trip with Saturday’s game as they look to climb back atop the East standings.

Five thoughts on Atlanta United’s dominance in Charlotte

Actually, this was the near perfect gameLast week after a 1-1 draw, Atlanta United head coach Gonzalo Pineda called the performance “close to perfection,” a bit of a head scratcher considering the result and some of the underlying metrics left something to be desired. This was the ear perfect game. The Five Stripes dominated in so many aspects, it left the second half feeling rather sleepy as the team salted away the 90 minutes ...

Actually, this was the near perfect game

Last week after a 1-1 draw, Atlanta United head coach Gonzalo Pineda called the performance “close to perfection,” a bit of a head scratcher considering the result and some of the underlying metrics left something to be desired. This was the ear perfect game. The Five Stripes dominated in so many aspects, it left the second half feeling rather sleepy as the team salted away the 90 minutes after building up a comfortable 3-0 halftime lead. It was only “near” perfect because of some isolated moments of indecision at the back (Brad Guzan’s command of the box, Purata with a near own goal, some near penalties, etc). But overall, you can’t commend the performance of the players and Pineda’s tactics enough. It was a game that proved Atlanta has more than enough talent to compete at the top end of the league, so long as they don’t hurt themselves.

Gonzalo Pineda will have a selection headache next week

When the Five Stripes return home to Mercedes-Benz Stadium next week against Portland, the manager will have some tough decisions to make. Derrick Etienne has looked stronger and stronger every week, but after two goals and an assist from Caleb Wiley on the left wing, how can you possibly relegate him to the bench? Amar Sejdic looked very sharp in midfield and helped contribute to a team pressing performance we haven’t seen in some time. If Rossetto is fit, who starts? What about the team’s marquee center back signing in Luis Abram? Miles Robinson and Juanjo Purata have hardly put a foot wrong this season. Suddenly, there’s a lot more depth to this team than it appeared just a few weeks ago.

Thiago Almada is unsurprisingly playing his best soccer now that Marcelino Moreno is gone

Apple commentator Taylor Twellman brought this up late in the first half of Saturday’s game, but maybe addition by subtraction really is a thing? Almada has noticeably more space to operate this season — particularly on the counter attack — and the entire team is better off for it. An Almada in space is more dangerous than an Almada with a fellow midfielder coming near him asking for the ball at his feet. Almada in space has many more options to either distribute or take defenders on the dribble, and teammates who are stretching the field making penetrating runs give opposition players a lot more to think about and ground to cover. All of this was clearly on display in the first half — something the team will certainly look to replicate on a regular basis this season.

An important goal for Luiz Araujo

After two weeks of pure frustration for Atlanta United’s DP winger after missing a penalty 30 minutes into the new season, Araujo’s first half goal Saturday against Charlotte feels like an important stepping stone toward getting the Brazilian going at his confident best. Araujo was excellent all game off the ball and help Atlanta sustain it’s pressure and stunt Charlotte’s build up. But while that is very important, everyone knows that Araujo needs to be feeling the right type of way if he is going to contribute the goals this team will need from him over the course of the season.

Make no mistake, Atlanta won with defense and work rate

Saturday showed a clear gulf in technical quality between Atlanta and Charlotte. And while it might not always be this stark of a contrast, Atlanta is probably going to have an edge in this area in most games they play. But you can argue that was the case last year too, when the team slumped to a finish leaving them outside of the playoffs. Because for this team, it’s never been about proving it’s the more skillful team. For years, Atlanta has beaten itself with costly mistakes — self inflected wounds that no amount of technical skill can make up for.

But it’s not just the clean sheet where this comes into play, defense and work rate were key in helping to create each of Atlanta’s three goals. Two came off of direct pressure, and one came after winning the ball in a defensive posture that set up a beautiful counter attack.

Frankly, this is the kind of game it would’ve lost last year. The team only won two of it’s seventeen road games in 2022. That’s inexcusable, but Saturday’s showing is a positive step in reversing that trend. And if they do, this team will be a top four team in the Eastern Conference.

Falcons free agency preview: Quality wide receiver options for Falcons to help Drake London on the outside

Editor's note: The statements and opinions regarding players and/or potential future players in the article below are those of the AtlantaFalcons.com editorial staff and are not of the Atlanta Falcons' football personnel unless noted in a direct quote.KhaDarel Hodge, Damiere Byrd, and Olamide Zaccheaus are 2022 Falcons set to hit the market for free agency. That leaves Drake London as the only primary wide receiver under contract.London led all Falcons receivers with 866 yards in 2022 but no o...

Editor's note: The statements and opinions regarding players and/or potential future players in the article below are those of the AtlantaFalcons.com editorial staff and are not of the Atlanta Falcons' football personnel unless noted in a direct quote.

KhaDarel Hodge, Damiere Byrd, and Olamide Zaccheaus are 2022 Falcons set to hit the market for free agency. That leaves Drake London as the only primary wide receiver under contract.

London led all Falcons receivers with 866 yards in 2022 but no other player eclipsed over 600 receiving yards. The Falcons need another playmaker in the receivers room to compliment London; someone who's a threat on the outside.

RELATED CONTENT:

In today's free agency preview, we take a look at potential wide receiver options at several different price points, though we've skipped value picks. If you're going to re-sign someone at a lower price point, it might as well be Zaccheaus. He knows the system, he's clutch and is an Arthur Smith guy:

Top of the market

Jakobi Meyers, WR

Meyers' consistency gave way to another productive season in 2022. The Georgia native led the New England Patriots' receiving corps with 804 yards on 67 receptions, six touchdowns, and averaged 12 yards per catch. He'll arguably be one of the top receivers to hit the market this off-season. Meyers is a physical route runner who can create separation and find soft spots in open field. He has great upside which makes it difficult for defenders. And the thing is, Meyers is only fours year into his career. Any team looking to add a quality young receiver should look no further than Meyers. His calculated market value is $12.5 million, per Spotrac.

Allen Lazard, WR

Lazard had the best season of his career last season. The fourth-year wideout led all Green Bay Packers receivers with 788 yards on 60 receptions, six touchdowns and averaged 13.1 per catch. He's a big explosive receiver who can block just as well as he can catch. Having a receiver who can do the grunt work on the outside, in addition to being a reliable pass-catcher is essential for any offense. And like Jakobi Meyers, Lazard is still young into his career. His calculated market value is $12.5 million, per Spotrac.

Mid-Range

Adam Thielen, WR

Thielen has proven to be a playmaker over his lengthy career. His best season came in 2018 when he had 113 receptions for 1,373 yards and nine touchdowns. In 2018, he also had the most consecutive 100-yard receiving games with eight. The 9-year NFL vet was key contributor for the Vikings' offense in 2022 with 70 receptions for 716 yards and six touchdowns. Is he the same Second-team All-Pro receiver he once was? I'm not saying that, but I think he would still add depth to any NFL roster he's on. For any team looking to sign a vet receiver who can add leadership, Thielen is the route to take.

Rays expect to see Taylor Walls in lineup this week

Notes | The infielder could be back from his oblique strain as soon as Thursday. Plus, Osleivis Basabe does his homework, and roster cuts are on the way.ByPublished Yesterday|Updated YesterdayPORT ST. LUCIE — The Rays expect to have Taylor Walls back in a game sometime this week. The infielder has been out with an oblique strain since the start of spring training.The hope is that Walls will play Thursday, when the Rays have split-squad games against the Braves and Twins.“We’ve got him circ...

Notes | The infielder could be back from his oblique strain as soon as Thursday. Plus, Osleivis Basabe does his homework, and roster cuts are on the way.

By

Published Yesterday|Updated Yesterday

PORT ST. LUCIE — The Rays expect to have Taylor Walls back in a game sometime this week. The infielder has been out with an oblique strain since the start of spring training.

The hope is that Walls will play Thursday, when the Rays have split-squad games against the Braves and Twins.

“We’ve got him circled around that 16th date. So, he’s progressing well,” manager Kevin Cash said before Sunday’s 10-4 win over the Mets at Clover Park. “He’s on the field taking some batting practice, some ground balls and stuff, but he’s feeling very, very good.”

Thursday would be exactly two weeks before opening day on March 30, which the Rays feel would be plenty of time to get him the work he needs without rushing him back.

“We’re certainly getting to a point like we need to get him some reps, and we’re not going to run them out there every day to get him caught up with that bat,” Cash said. “So (he’ll) play, have an off day, play, off, play. It’ll be a situation like that.”

Cash said right-hander Calvin Faucher, who also began the spring sidelined with an oblique strain, threw his second live batting practice this weekend. He is scheduled to pitch in Tuesday’s game against the Twins.

“He looked outstanding,” Cash said.

Elite prospect

Osleivis Basabe had a single Sunday, another day in which the utility infielder showed off his offseason work. Basabe is batting .500 with a home run, eight RBIs and two stolen bases through 10 games while playing second base, third base and shortstop.

While that versatility certainly plays into the Rays’ plans, it’s something that takes a lot of work. Basabe gets to the park early, putting in extra defensive reps at each position, learning how to get good reads of the ball off the bat from each angle, and working on his bat.

Cash and the Rays’ front office have noticed the work paying off, something that makes Basabe proud.

“Obviously, a couple of years ago, I was less than an elite baseball player,” he said. “Right now, I consider myself that, and it’s showing out on the field.”

So much that Cash calls him a highlight of spring training so far.

“He’s been just a huge bright spot,” Cash said. “It’s not just that he’s getting hits, he’s going up there and driving balls, which is really, really encouraging.”

Game details; Rays 10, Mets 4

Niko Hulsizer hammered two homers to lead a lineup full of prospects in a Rays rout. Hulsizer’s first home run, off Carlos Carrasco, was a line drive to left-center that left the ballpark quickly. His second, in the seventh, crashed into the roof over the centerfield camera. Kyle Manzardo also homered.

“It’s good to get offensive performance by multiple people, and certainly Niko and Manzardo,” Cash said. “Niko drove the ball well. Those were long home runs.” Hulsizer finished with three hits in three at-bats.

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Columnist John Romano will send the latest Rays insights and analysis to keep you updated weekly during the season.

Miscellany

With Panama being eliminated from the World Baseball Classic on Saturday, the Rays are expecting to get starting catcher Christian Bethancourt back sometime this week. … Cash said the team expects to make roster moves at the beginning of the week to open up at-bats and innings in Grapefruit League games for big-leaguers.

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JUPITER — After nearly two weeks without throwing a baseball, Rays pitcher Tyler Glasnow is still not ready to start back up. The right-hander suffered an oblique injury early in camp and has been on doctor-prescribed rest since.

“Just treatment,” manager Kevin Cash said before Saturday’s game against the Marlins. “I actually talked to him two days ago. He’s in a better spot mentally. He was pretty frustrated. But we said to get in here, get his work done and get out.

“You feel for him just because he’s worked so hard, and I mean, we all see it. The guy’s got, like, the perfect physique, and why does he keep getting injured? I think he questions himself, but he does all the research and tries to prevent it, but it sneaks up on him. But he’ll be OK.”

Glasnow was injured while throwing to hitters during a live batting practice session on Feb. 27. An MRI the next day revealed a Grade 2 left oblique strain, the team said.

Glasnow, 29, underwent Tommy John surgery in August 2021 before returning to pitch in two regular-season games for the Rays in 2022. He also made one start during the wild-card series against the Cleveland Guardians.

Good news for Diaz

Yandy Diaz, who left Friday’s game after being hit on the left hand/wrist with a pitch, could be back sooner than expected.

“It’s all good,” Cash said. “I talked to him (Friday) night. I called him and, as far as I know, he will be a part of the live (batting practice Sunday),” Cash said.

Remembering Wills

Rays Radio went back on the air Saturday for the first time since the sudden death of long-time broadcaster Dave Wills on March 5.

“It will be 30% baseball and 70% Dave,” Andy Freed, Wills’ long-time radio partner, said in describing the broadcast. “It will be stories about Dave from us and others.”

In addition to a special pregame ceremony April 22 at Tropicana Field, the Rays announced they will honor Wills by wearing a specially designed memorial patch on their batting helmets throughout the season. The team also will establish a scholarship in his honor.

Wills, 58, was one of the voices of the Rays for the past 18-plus years, beginning with Freed in 2005.

Game details: Marlins 5, Rays 3

Josh Lowe continued to show his power, hitting his third homer of the spring off lefty Trevor Rogers. “He hit a home run the other day pull-side, and I don’t see him do that very often with backspin, and then he did it again (Saturday) off a lefty, a good lefty,” Cash said. “So he’s in a good spot. You want these guys to feel good, to have success and, certainly while there’s decisions to be made, you want them to be able to put the best foot forward and I feel like he is.” … Josh Fleming worked his way out of a jam in the first to throw three scoreless innings. He allowed three hits and struck out two. “I was encouraged that he got through it. He let the defense play a little bit behind him, and after that first inning he thought he settled in and made some strides with the sinker and certainly the big sweeping breaking ball he’s been working on.”

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Columnist John Romano will send the latest Rays insights and analysis to keep you updated weekly during the season.

Miscellany

Rays fans will be able to catch Sunday’s game against the Mets on MLB Network. Coverage begins at 1 p.m. ... The big plan for Saturday night in the Rays’ hotel was watching the big Dominican Republic-Venezuela matchup in the World Baseball Classic. Cash said he’d be watching his bench coach, Rodney Linares, manage the Dominican team and envying his roster, which includes Wander Franco, Manny Machado, Juan Soto, Rafael Devers, Julio Rodriguez and Juan Soto.

• • •

Sign up for the Rays Report weekly newsletter to get fresh perspectives on the Tampa Bay Rays and the rest of the majors from sports columnist John Romano.

Never miss out on the latest with the Bucs, Rays, Lightning, Florida college sports and more. Follow our Tampa Bay Times sports team on Twitter and Facebook.

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