The Rays introduced Sunday that they’ve positioned left-hander Jeffrey Springs on the 15-day injured listing because of what the membership described as left elbow fatigue, per ESPN. Left-hander Tyler Alexander was recalled to the massive league roster in a corresponding transfer.
Springs, 32 on September 20, underwent Tommy John surgical procedure in April of 2023 and returned to the mound within the majors for the primary time on the day of the commerce deadline in July this yr. It was unlucky timing for the Rays, as Springs went below the knife simply three begins right into a four-year extension the membership inked him to previous to the 2023 season on the heels of a 2022 marketing campaign the place he posted a 2.35 ERA and three.04 FIP in 135 1/3 innings of labor cut up between the rotation and bullpen. Springs has made seven begins since coming back from the IL and, whereas he hasn’t fairly reached that degree of dominance, he’s definitely held his personal with a 3.27 ERA and a 4.00 FIP to go along with a robust 26.1% strikeout fee.
It’s not but clear if this journey to the IL spells the top of Springs’s 2024 season. For his half, Springs informed reporters, together with these at MLB.com, that his hope is to make two extra begins this season and that his elbow was simply “slightly extra sore than regular,” which supervisor Kevin Money instructed was most likely fatigue that ought to be anticipated coming off surgical procedure.
Nonetheless, given the truth that he’s affected by a difficulty relating to his elbow simply over a month after coming back from Tommy John surgical procedure, it could hardly be a shock if the Rays merely determined to play it protected with him for the rest of the season. In spite of everything, the 70-72 Rays bought considerably aggressively on the commerce deadline as they fell out of playoff rivalry and pivoted in the direction of prioritizing subsequent season and past. Even after dealing away key items corresponding to third baseman Isaac Paredes and outfielder Randy Arozarena in July, the Rays seem like in fairly good condition to contend in 2025.
A giant motive for that optimism is the anticipated return of a number of key pitchers to full-time rotation duties subsequent yr. Ace lefty Shane McClanahan underwent Tommy John surgical procedure simply over a yr in the past and resumed throwing in late July, placing him on monitor to be a part of the membership’s Opening Day rotation subsequent yr. Proper-hander Drew Rasmussen, who returned from an inside brace process on his elbow in a bullpen position in August, additionally figures to be thought of for a return to a rotation position subsequent yr. Springs, too, figures to be a part of that dialog, leaving the Rays deep in rotation choices as that trio joins Shane Baz, Ryan Pepiot, Taj Bradley and Zack Littell in rivalry for beginning jobs headed into 2025.
That deep group of rotation choices led the Rays to deal each Aaron Civale and Zach Eflin from their rotation combine this summer time, and it’s not less than possible that the membership might look to deal one other piece corresponding to Littell from their rotation combine over the winter to be able to assist deal with an offense that has under-performed with a collective wRC+ of simply 96 this yr. Whether or not the Rays look to deal from their deep properly of pitching expertise to be able to restock the lineup or just hope {that a} full season from high prospect Junior Caminero and stronger performances from gamers like Christopher Morel, Josh Lowe, Dylan Carlson and Jose Siri can increase the membership’s offense internally, Springs figures to issue prominently into the membership’s rotation plans subsequent yr, and placing him in the perfect place to be wholesome and efficient headed into subsequent yr is bound to be Tampa’s precedence because the season winds down.
Taking Springs’s spot on the roster is Alexander, who spent the primary 5 seasons of his profession with the Tigers earlier than becoming a member of the Rays this yr. In his first season with Tampa, the lefty has swung between the bullpen and the rotation with lackluster outcomes, posting a 5.66 ERA and 5.52 FIP in 89 frames. With that being stated, his peripherals have been significantly better within the bullpen than as a starter, as he’s struck out a good 21.1% of opponents whereas pitching in aid towards a stroll fee of simply 4.7%. Alexander is tentatively anticipated to pitch bulk innings for the membership Monday night time in a begin that was beforehand slated to go to Springs.
