CINCINNATI -- Rays starter Jeffrey Springs will endure Tommy John surgical procedure, which can sideline the left-hander for the remainder of the yr and into the 2024 season.

After being evaluated by group doctor Dr. Koco Eaton and receiving a second opinion from Dr. Keith Meister on Tuesday, Springs was positioned on the 15-day injured record Tuesday afternoon with a left elbow flexor pressure. The membership formally introduced that Springs will endure surgical procedure on Saturday.

Springs exited his begin in opposition to the Red Sox final Thursday after simply three innings as a consequence of what the membership initially introduced as ulnar neuritis in his left arm. The Rays didn't place him on the injured record till Tuesday, which allowed them to recall prime prospect Taj Bradley from Triple-A Durham to begin Tuesday evening at Great American Ball Park.

“Obviously, he's going on the IL with an elbow issue,” supervisor Kevin Cash stated Tuesday afternoon. “I think, in fairness to Jeff, he's still processing the information that he's gotten. He met with a doctor today, so I think we're a day or two from him coming up with a decision on what is ideal for him and then a timetable.”

It’s devastating information for Springs, who has emerged over the past yr as one of many Majors’ best starters, and one other powerful break for Tampa Bay on the harm entrance. Top starter Tyler Glasnow (strained left indirect) has not pitched this season and sure received’t be part of the rotation till May. Free-agent addition Zach Eflin (decrease again tightness) is on the 15-day injured record, though he’s more likely to return Sunday.

Now, they’ll be with out Springs all season. The typical timeframe to return from Tommy John surgical procedure is 12 to fifteen months, which might get Springs again within the combine for the Rays late subsequent April on the earliest.

“Injury sucks, regardless of what it is. And Springs is, A, such a good human being, but, B, he’s a big part of this team,” starter Drew Rasmussen stated. “So to lose a man like that, it’s powerful. You simply have a look at what we’ve gone by means of the final couple years as a beginning workers and the arms we’ve misplaced, it's positively powerful. 

“But this organization has done such a great job of developing talent and stockpiling as many quality arms as possible, so we have depth. We have the ability to weather the storm a little bit.”

Acquired from Boston in a February 2021 commerce, Springs first established himself as a invaluable reliever for Tampa Bay earlier than present process season-ending surgical procedure to restore a torn ACL in his proper knee that August. He was again within the bullpen to start final season, then the Rays moved him into their injury-depleted rotation.

Springs thrived as a starter, posting a 2.65 ERA with 130 strikeouts in 122 1/3 innings over 24 begins after May 9. The Rays rewarded him for his efficiency, and guess on him repeating it, by signing him to a four-year, $31 million contract extension that might pay him as much as $65.75 million over the subsequent 5 seasons.

Springs obtained off to a superb begin to this yr, throwing 14 shutout innings throughout Spring Training then working 13 scoreless innings with 19 strikeouts over his first two outings within the common season.

The Rays have already needed to faucet into their depth choices this season. Josh Fleming crammed the Opening Day rotation spot left vacant by Glasnow, Yonny Chirinos is holding down a spot within the bullpen, Bradley has made two begins, and Cooper Criswell got here as much as pitch 4 innings on Monday evening. The Rays might additionally flip to starter Luis Patiño, who's presently at Triple-A, sooner or later.

Content Source: www.mlb.com