Mason is an outspoken supporter of mental health awareness after dealing with severe depression and anxiety early in his professional career…he has sought help from doctors and leaned heavily on his family, calling his parents or sisters for long conversations in difficult moments…he also learned to meditate and implemented strategies such as cold exposure and a carnivore diet to help his mental and physical well-being…Mason’s motivation for carving out a big-league career stems from his desire to create a platform to support others going through their own mental health struggles...Mason practices the Wim Hof Method, a system of controlled deep breathing named after a Dutch extreme athlete that improves mental focus and pain management…he also practices daily cold plunges—during his time in the Tigers organization, he would regularly use Michigan’s Grand River for his plunges…he credits his mental health routine for helping him stay calm in big moments and stick with the Tigers in 2023 as a Rule 5 selection... Mason and his wife, Ella, got married this past offseason on Dec. 14, 2024…he credits Ella for playing a critical role in helping him through his mental health struggles…the couple implemented a checklist system for important daily rituals such as meditation, cold exposure and staying off social media...His hometown of Forney was dubbed the “Antique Capital of Texas” by state lawmakers in 1987…the city once housed over 100 antique dealers within its 13 square miles…Forney’s population has exploded in recent years, and it was tabbed as the fastest-growing city in America between 2020-23 by the Dallas Business Journal. Selected by the Rangers in the fourth round (No. 119 overall) of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft out of Forney (Texas) High School...Broke a Texas state record with a 55.1 scoreless inning streak as a senior…on the season, went 11-1 with a 0.57 ERA and 145 strikeouts over 74.1 innings.
2025
In his first season with the Rays, recorded career bests in ERA (3.83), strikeouts (44) and WHIP (1.21) and FIP (3.05), holding opponents to a .251/.299/.345 (43-for-171) clip—all three marks were the lowest of his career...Had three stints in the majors after being acquired from the Tigers Feb. 12: Opening Day– May 9, June 10-16 and July 7–season’s end… made his final appearance Sept. 3 at SEA and was placed on the 15-day IL Sept. 4 with right shoulder impingement...Made 14 relief appearances of 2.0 IP or more, tied for third most in the AL behind CWS Mike Vasil (25) and CWS Tyler Alexander (15) and tied for 10th most in the Majors…posted a 2.97 ERA (30.1 IP, 10 ER) in those games with 28 strikeouts against eight walks...Threw his changeup at a rate of 34.3 pct. … was the only pitcher in the majors to throw his changeup 200 times or more without allowing an extra-base hit on the offering...Made his second career Opening Day roster, joining 2023 with the Tigers...On April 30 vs. KC, matched the longest scoreless outing of his career (3.0 IP)…was the first of three appearances in which he recorded a season-high-tying four SO (also: June 10 at BOS, July 21 vs. CWS)...Between June 10–July 30, made a career-high 10 straight scoreless appearances, tied for the second-longest streak by a Ray all season behind Garrett Cleavinger (22) from July 9–Sept. 6… pitched 12.2 innings with a 0.47 WHIP, holding opponents to 5-for-43 (.116) with 14 SO...On July 30 at NYY, picked up his lone hold of the year and first since May 5, 2023 at STL, preserving a 1-0 lead after retiring the bottom third of the Yankees order on eight pitches.
2024
Made 12 appearances (one GS) with the Tigers spanning three stints with the club: May 23– June 4, June 5-25 and Aug. 26-29...Placed on the 7-day IL (right forearm strain) from July 6–Aug. 22…completed a four-game rehab assignment between Rookie-level Lakeland and Class-A West Michigan...Held right-handed hitters to a .214 (12-for-56) average, including 2-for-20 (.100) over his first five appearances...On June 5 at TEX, tossed a career-high 3.1 frames in a 9-1 loss, allowing one earned run…his 53 pitches tied the second most of his career behind July 22, 2023 vs. SD (60)...On Aug. 28 vs. LAA, made his lone start in his final major league appearance of the season, working a pair of scoreless, one-hit frames… retired 16 of 20 batters faced across his final three MLB outings...Designated for assignment on Feb. 7, 2025 to create a 40-man roster spot for Jack Flaherty… traded to the Rays in exchange for LHP Drew Sommers on Feb. 12.
2023
Completed his first Major League season in 2023, seeing time in 31 games, including one start... Was on an Opening Day roster at the Major League level for the first time in his career... Made his Major League debut on March 30 at Tampa Bay, allowing a run on one hit in 1.0 inning... Threw a season-long 3.0 shutout innings on April 3 at Houston, allowing two hits...also pitched 3.0 scoreless frames in the first game of the doubleheader on April 18 vs. Cleveland... Picked up his first big league strikeout on April 6 vs. Boston, fanning Rafael Devers... Earned his first Major League win on April 25 at Milwaukee, throwing 2.2 shutout innings while striking out four and allowing just one hit... Made the first start of his Major League career on June 12 vs. Atlanta, giving up a run on three hits with a walk and a strikeout in 2.2 innings... Placed on the injured list on July 24, retroactive to July 23, with left hip tightness and missed the rest of the season.
2022
Started 24 games between Single A Hickory and Double A Frisco in 2022...Named a Rangers Organization All-Star by MiLB.com...Had a season-high 10 strikeouts on April 30 vs. Greenville, allowing one run on two hits with one walk in 6.0 innings...Allowed three runs-or-less in 10 consecutive starts from April 16-June 19, posting a 2-2 record with a 3.12 ERA (52.0IP/18ER) and 60 strikeouts...Earned back-to-back South Atlantic League Pitcher of the Week honors for the weeks ending Aug. 14 and 21...had consecutive hitless outings, throwing 7.0 no-hit innings on August 11 at Greenville and 6.0 no-hit innings on August 18 vs. Winston-Salem...Selected South Atlantic League Pitcher of the Month for August, making four starts and compiling a 3-1 record with a 1.82 ERA (24.2IP/5ER) and 21 strikeouts...Ranked as the No. 20 prospect in the Tigers organization by Baseball America following the season.
2021
Made his professional debut in 2021, making 19 starts with Single A Down East...Led the team in wins (6) and strikeouts (90)…also ranked 10th in Low-A East in strikeouts...Gave up just four home runs in 80.2 innings pitched, the third-lowest home run rate in Low-A East (min. 80 innings pitched)…Threw a 5.0-inning shutout on June 20 vs. Kannapolis, allowing two hits with two walks and seven strikeouts.
