Rays' Jeffrey Springs: Ruled out for rest of season
Rotowire
Rays manager Kevin Cash said Tuesday that Springs (elbow) is feeling better but will not return from the 15-day injured list this season, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Springs landed on the IL earlier this month with left elbow fatigue, roughly six weeks after he returned to the majors following a long rehab from Tommy John surgery. While Springs' current elbow issue doesn't seem to be overly concerning, the Rays would have little to gain by rushing him back before the regular season concludes.
The Rays placed Springs on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to left elbow fatigue.
The left-hander lined up to take the mound early this week in Philadelphia, but he'll instead head to the IL due to the elbow issue. Springs will be eligible to return from the injured list in late September, potentially in time for a couple starts, but there's a real chance he won't return with the Rays six games back of the final wild-card spot. If he is done for the season, the 31-year-old will close the campaign with a 3.27 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 37:11 K:BB across 33 innings (seven starts).
Springs (2-2) earned the win Tuesday over the Twins, allowing one run on four hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out four.
Carlos Santana's solo home run in the second inning proved to be the lone blemish on Springs' line Tuesday, as the left-hander held Minnesota scoreless over his final four frames to pick up his second win this season. It was also the first time Springs has made it through six innings this season, as he works his way back to full strength following Tommy John surgery. The 31-year-old Springs has allowed just one run on five hits over his last two starts (11 innings), lowering his ERA to 3.27 on the year with a 1.36 WHIP and 37:11 K:BB across 33 innings. His next outing is currently lined up for early next week against the Phillies.
Rays' Jeffrey Springs: Strikes out nine in dominant outing
Rotowire
Springs allowed just one hit and two walks while striking out nine over five scoreless innings in Tuesday's win over the Mariners. He did not factor into the decision.
Springs posted his highest strikeout total across six starts this season. He registered 16 whiffs on 79 pitches, including 10 on his changeup. Springs has been on a pitch limit as he ramps his way up from Tommy John surgery and hasn't pitched past the fifth inning yet, but he's racked up 33 strikeouts in his 27 frames so far this season. Springs lines up to open next week with a home start against the Twins.
