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The Rays introduced a number of transactions earlier than this night’s sport in opposition to the Pink Sox. Zach Eflin landed on the 15-day injured listing, retroactive to yesterday, with decrease again irritation. Brandon Lowe is again from the 10-day IL to take the vacated roster spot. Tampa Bay additionally optioned reliever Manuel Rodríguez to Triple-A Durham to open a bullpen spot for Richard Lovelady, who has joined the staff after being acquired from the Cubs on Saturday.
Eflin has turned in stable leads to 10 turns by the rotation. The best-hander is averaging slightly below six innings per begin and has labored to a 4.12 earned run common. Whereas his 17.9% strikeout price is on monitor to be his lowest since 2017, he has compensated by basically by no means handing out free passes. Eflin has solely walked 4 batters all season, a 1.6% price that’s the lowest amongst all pitchers with 50+ innings.
The 30-year-old has been considered one of Tampa Bay’s extra priceless pitchers this yr, though his efficiency is a step down from final yr’s work. Eflin had an excellent first season in St. Petersburg, handing over 177 2/3 innings of three.50 ERA ball to earn a sixth-place end in AL Cy Younger balloting. He did lose a pair weeks early within the ’23 marketing campaign to decrease again tightness, although.
Eflin informed Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Occasions (X link) that this yr’s again challenge feels much like final season’s minor damage. Eflin steered he may very well be again in round two weeks, whereas supervisor Kevin Money indicated it was prone to be a 2-4 week absence. Tampa Bay has off days on Thursday and subsequent Monday, so they might operate with a four-man beginning employees of Aaron Civale, Taj Bradley, Zack Littell and Tyler Alexander into subsequent week.
Lowe returns after an almost six-week absence on account of an indirect pressure. The second baseman is within the cleanup spot in opposition to Tanner Houck tonight. Since Lowe landed on the IL, the Rays have rotated Curtis Mead, Amed Rosario and Richie Palacios by the keystone. Mead struggled sufficient that he has since been optioned to Triple-A. Palacios and Rosario have every hit properly of their first seasons in Tampa Bay. They’re every able to enjoying a number of positions and may nonetheless see pretty common enjoying time across the diamond.
In different damage information, the Rays despatched Jeffrey Springs to the Florida Complicated League on a rehab project. The left-hander threw one inning this afternoon in his first sport motion since he underwent Tommy John surgical procedure final April. Pitchers are usually allotted 30 days on a rehab stint, however returnees from Tommy John are normally allowed greater than a month to construct again into sport form. Springs may very well be prepared for MLB motion by the second half of June.
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