Injuries & Moves: Springs (elbow) placed on IL; Alexander recalled
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Sept. 8: Placed LHP Jeffrey Springs (left elbow fatigue) on the 15-day injured list; recalled LHP Tyler Alexander from Triple-A Durham
Springs had been set to start Monday night against the Phillies, but instead he was placed on the injured list before Sunday's series finale in Baltimore. After coming back from Tommy John surgery earlier this year, Springs said he felt "just a little bit more sore than normal" during his between-starts bullpen session and while playing catch the past two days. Manager Kevin Cash said it was "probably normal fatigue from coming back" from the surgery and the rehab process. He applauded Springs for being honest with pitching coach Kyle Snyder about how he felt.
The Rays couldn't afford to give Springs a few extra days of rest with a five-man rotation amid a stretch of 17 consecutive games without a day off, so they put Springs on the IL -- with the assignment made retroactive to Thursday. That would allow time for Springs to return for two starts at the end of the season, although it's unclear if he will.
"My plan is to hopefully make the last two starts. I hope after a day or two, it's right back to throwing and picking right back up," Springs said Sunday morning. "I feel good. It was more kind of a precautionary thing than anything. Just didn't really bounce back very well from the last outing. Nothing crazy happened or anything like that. ... Just wasn't coming out quite like I would have liked in the bullpen and the past two days of throwing."
Alexander was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Thursday and had just joined the team in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday morning when he learned of his pending promotion.
Sept. 8: C Alex Jackson clears waivers, outrighted to Triple-A Durham
The Rays designated Jackson for assignment last Thursday, dropping the light-hitting catcher from their 40-man roster to make room for lefty Mason Montgomery. He cleared waivers on Saturday and accepted his outright assignment to Triple-A Durham.
Sept. 8: C Logan Driscoll (left quad contusion) out of lineup, feeling better after dugout fall
With nobody out in the fifth inning of the Rays’ 7-1 win over the Orioles on Saturday in Baltimore, Driscoll tracked a popup from Adley Rutschman toward Tampa Bay’s dugout. The rookie slammed his left leg into a post by the camera well and tumbled down the dugout steps as he snagged the ball.
In obvious discomfort, Driscoll eventually stood up and stayed in the game. But he was noticeably limping and had to exit after hustling to first base on a two-run infield single in the seventh. The Rays announced that Driscoll left due to a left quad contusion, miraculously the only injury he sustained during his fall into the dugout.
Driscoll wasn't in the lineup Sunday afternoon in Baltimore but said he was "feeling a lot better than I thought I would" and declared himself available if needed.
10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
LHP Jeffrey Springs (left elbow fatigue)
Expected return: Possibly late September
Springs had been scheduled to start on Sept. 9 in Philadelphia, but instead he was placed on the 15-day injured list on Sept. 8, with the assignment made retroactive to Sept. 5. Springs, who returned from Tommy John surgery earlier this season, said he simply felt a little more sore than normal during his between-starts bullpen session and while playing catch. Rather than pitching at less than 100% comfort or risking further injury, Springs reported the issue and went on the IL. He hopes to return to make two starts at the end of the season, although it's unclear if he will do so. (Last updated: Sept. 8)
RHP Pete Fairbanks (right lat strain)
Expected return: Possibly late September
Fairbanks exited the Rays' Aug. 18 game with an injury that an MRI exam later revealed as a lat strain. Manager Kevin Cash initially said Fairbanks would likely be shut down from throwing for two to four weeks, then provided an update on Aug. 30 saying the closer is "asymptomatic."
Fairbanks missed roughly half the season in 2022 after sustaining a right lat strain in Spring Training, and it is unclear if he will be able to pitch again this season. Cash said on Sept. 4 that Fairbanks has been "feeling pretty good" while playing catch, but he has yet to throw off a mound. (Last updated: Sept. 5)
OF/INF Richie Palacios (right knee sprain)
Expected return: Possibly mid-September
Palacios injured his right knee while sliding hard into second base July 31 against the Marlins at Tropicana Field. He stayed in and eventually scored, but he felt the knee tighten up as he ran the bases and was replaced in left field the following inning. Palacios initially hoped to avoid the injured list, but he was sidelined on Aug. 2, retroactive to Aug. 1. He was expected to miss four to six weeks, although manager Kevin Cash was optimistic that Palacios could return this season.
Palacios had resumed on-field activities as of Aug. 30 and is scheduled to play in a "bridge league" complex game during the week of Sept. 9.
"Tried to play through it, because I try to play through everything. Took a step and then didn't feel so good," Palacios said on Aug. 10. "I'm optimistic about everything. ... I know that whatever happens, whatever I'm in, I'm gonna figure it out." (Last updated: Sept. 5)
LHP Colin Poche (left shoulder inflammation)
Expected return: Possibly late September
Poche warmed up in the bullpen during the Rays' 13-5 loss to the Padres on Aug. 30, but felt quickly that something was off with his shoulder. After undergoing an MRI exam to evaluate his throwing shoulder, Poche said the imaging looked good, all things considered, and believes they caught the injury before it became anything significant.
Still, Poche was shut down from throwing for at least a few days while receiving treatment. The left-handed reliever hopes to return before the end of the season. (Last updated: Aug. 31)
60-DAY INJURED LIST
RHP Jacob Waguespack (right rotator cuff inflammation)
Expected return: Possibly late September
Waguespack began a Minor League rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham on Sept. 6, his first game action since June 25. He was moved to the 60-day IL on May 18. He sustained a right shoulder injury during his outing for Triple-A Durham on May 2 that wasn't expected to require a significant stint on the shelf, but the Rays gained some flexibility by recalling him and placing him on the 15-day IL on May 6.
Waguespack retired all four batters he faced, striking out three, in a start for the Rookie-level Florida Complex League Rays on June 25. He was then shut down with a lower back issue and received injections in his back on Aug. 5. (Last updated: Sept. 6)
LHP Shane McClanahan (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: Likely 2025
McClanahan took a big step in his rehab progression on July 30, throwing off the mound for the first time since he underwent Tommy John surgery on Aug. 21, 2023, his second time having the procedure. The left-hander threw 10 fastballs at Tropicana Field and said he felt good afterward. He continued throwing regular bullpen sessions throughout August.
McClanahan is expected to miss the entire 2024 season, although the two-year contract he signed with the Rays in January to avoid arbitration included escalators for '25 to account for the possibility of a late-season return in ’24 if his rehab allows for it. He was placed on the 60-day IL on Feb. 14. (Last updated: Aug. 30)