The Tampa Bay Rays are seeing progress in two of their pitchers. Shane Baz and Jeffrey Springs are both completing rehab stints with Triple-A Durham and the Rays rookie-level Flordia Complex League respectively. According to MLB.com, Rays manager Kevin Cash said Springs felt good following his first rehab start. Baz has made multiple starts since starting his assignment on May 4. The Rays will likely want to have Baz make one more start before returning to the rotation.
Shane Baz, Jeffrey Springs Doing work in Rehab Starts
Baz has been on the injured list all season as he’s completing the final stages of recovery from his July 2022 Tommy John surgery. He ended that season with only 27 innings in six starts a year after he made his MLB debut, making three starts for the Rays at the end of the 2021 season. He got another start in the club’s postseason rotation during the American League Division Series. Now, the 24-year-old has four games at Triple-A during his rehab assignment, posting a 6.00 ERA with eight strikeouts and 11 walks in 12 innings. He’ll remain with During until he’s fully recovered. It’s a strong possibility that he contributes to the Rays pitching staff.
Springs Works One Inning in First Rehab Start
Springs, who’s also recovering from elbow surgery, was charged with one earned run on three hits with strikeouts in one inning. It was his first appearance in a game since he underwent surgery in April 2023. Cash did note that Springs will have one more rehab outing with the Rays FCL affiliate before moving up to Triple-A. Springs will increase his pitch count and innings as he gets more outings in the minor leagues. He will likely return from the 60-day injured list near the end of June.
Rays Rotation for 2024
Rotation health is an ongoing concern for Tampa Bay this season. With Baz and Springs on the path to returning, Shane McClanahan and Drew Rasmussen remain on the injured list with elbow surgeries from last year. Zach Eflin has been ruled out for two to four weeks with a lower back injury. Ryan Pepiot made his first start on Wednesday after returning from the 15-day IL with a leg injury. Taj Bradley returned two weeks ago but his results weren’t strong last year. He had a 5.59 ERA in 104 2/3 innings for the Rays with a 28 percent strikeout rate.
The rotation with Bradley and Pepiot includes Tyler Alexander, Zack Littell and Aaron Civale. Bradley turned in his strongest start of the year on Tuesday, matching a career-best with seven innings. Civale has allowed five or more runs four times this season as he’s 0-3 with an 8.48 ERA and a 26:12 K:BB across 32 2/3 innings. Littel hasn’t gone deeper than six innings this season but owns a 3.42 ERA and a 1.253 WHIP across 10 appearances. Alexander came fiver batters short of throwing the first perfect game in Rays history, holding the Toronto Blue Jays off the bases for 7 1/3 innings. He carries a 5.17 ERA and 37:12 K:BB through 47 innings.
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