Tampa Bay Rays fans distressed as pitcher Jeffrey Springs faces two-month minimum absence due to elbow injury: "Devastating news" "Major bummer"
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Jeffrey Springs may be out for a while. The downturn in the prognosis for one of the Rays' top hurlers was reported by Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times on Friday.
After Springs had to leave Thursday's start against the Boston Red Sox before the start of the fourth inning with what was initially termed as ulnar neuritis in his left arm, the injury is now considered to be more than a nerve issue.
Ulnar neuritis is an inflammation of a nerve in the arm that causes numbness and/or weakness in the hand. It is not ligament-related, but the word "ulnar" is not a happy word to fans. It is the first word of the term "ulnar collateral ligament," which is usually only mentioned in the same breath as Tommy John surgeries.
Now the fear is that Springs may be dealing with an issue that is related to the ligament.
Though #Rays are seeking additional opinions on the exact diagnosis of Springs’ arm/elbow injury, he is expected to be out a minimum of two months, and it is considered to be more than a nerve issue. If it is something that requires surgery he could be out much longer.
Jeffrey Springs, who had struck out five and given up just one earned run in three innings, departed after warming up to start the fourth. As Tampa Bay Rays trainers came to the mound, Springs was apparently feeling discomfort in his left throwing hand. He shook the hand a few times after attempting pitches and then walked off the diamond.
@TBTimes_Rays This sounds like lets drag this on through Aug and then do surgery so he misses 24.
@TBTimes_Rays It just seems Rays have had a lot P arm injuries last few years? I wonder if there’s data on IL/surgeries time amongst clubs or even Rays over the last five years vs the previous five for example?
@TBTimes_Rays Ah sh!t here we go again https://t.co/DwESm9YdsJ
Jeffrey Springs was off to a scorching start, going 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA, a .054 WHIP and 19 strikeouts through his first two starts.
A six-year MLB veteran, Springs had a 3.40 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with the Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays. He was used almost exclusively as a reliever before the Rays made him a starter last season.
@TBTimes_Rays Rays can never catch a break with injuries man. Springs was going to clear for the AL cy young this season
@TBTimes_Rays https://t.co/oKR2nZqTR4
@TBTimes_Rays Major bummer
At the near-zenith of joy for the undefeated Tampa Bay Rays (13-0), misfortune is beginning to rear its ugly head. As the Rays close in on tying the record for consecutive wins to open a season, another starting pitcher has gone down.
Earlier this week, starter Zac Eflin was placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to April 8, due to lower-back tightness.
Hot pitching prospect Taj Bradley may be on his way back to the big club, just as he was being sent back to Triple-A Durham following his sparkling MLB debut Wednesday night. Bradley was initially called up to temporarily fill Eflin's spot in the rotation.
Tampa Bay is still awaiting Tyler Glasnow's return from injury after missing all of last season following Tommy John surgery.
@TBTimes_Rays 4 year renewal and he’s out the first year. Nice.
@TBTimes_Rays https://t.co/ISTzcSkEPz
@TBTimes_Rays So sad to see what the rays do to all of their arms
Some things in life are unavoidable.
@TBTimes_Rays Death taxes and rays pitchers suffering serious injuries
Signing Jeffrey Springs, moving him to rotation was another Tampa Bay Rays' pitching masterstroke
Jeffrey Springs had decent numbers since making his big league debut in 2018. However, neither the Rangers nor Red Sox made much of an effort to make him a starter. After making two starts for Texas in his rookie season, he never started again until the Tampa Bay Rays moved him into the rotation last year.