The Rays received a slew on unfortunate injury news this afternoon, with Juan Toribio of MLB.com reporting that left-hander Jalen Beeks is set to undergo Tommy John surgery on Wednesday. Fellow reliever Chaz Roe will also have his season cut short, with the Rays transferring him to the 45-day injured list. Finally, two new players have hit the injured list: catcher Mike Zunino and lefty Ryan Yarbrough will head to the 10-day IL, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.
Catcher Kevan Smith and 1B/OF Brian O’Grady have been added to the active roster.
Wit Beeks on the 45-day injured list, we’ve known that his season was over, but the Rays were awaiting word of the severity of Beeks’s injury, which was first reported as an elbow sprain. Thus continues the Rays’ plague of injuries, which have gutted the pitching staff to an alarming extent.
Yonny Chirinos, Colin Poche, Brendan McKay, and Andrew Kittredge have already endured season-ending injuries, with Charlie Morton, Jose Alvarado, Nick Anderson, and others spending time on the injured list.
Beeks, for his part, had been enjoying his best Major League season to date, on pace for career bests in virtually every significant category. After averaging 7.6 K/9 over the last two years, that number climbed up to 12.1 K/9 through 19 1/3 innings this year. Simultaneously, his walk rate plummeted to a career low, leading to a minuscule 1.76 FIP.
His loss will be a considerable blow to the already-thin Tampa bullpen, which now finds itself without Chaz Roe for the season—also due to an elbow issue. Zunino, meanwhile, is dealing with oblique pain, and Yarbrough is experiencing left groin tightness. He’s the eleventh Rays pitcher to be sidelined due to injury since the beginning of Spring Training 2.0.
Best decision for TB is to acquire Lance Lynn before the Braves or someone else trades for him. He could definitely help the Devil Rays win the AL East this season.
Give it up already. TB isn’t doing that.
@StPeteStingRays- and what would you do, Mr. Johnny Superscout for your Precious Devil Rays? They really need to move out of Tampa Bay so that one day they actually win a Championship for their fans, Good luck with that- @StPeteStingRays
You know what I would do? I’d kiss the yankmees season goodbye @yank4lyfe
Yank4Life, you should be more concerned about your team holding off the Orioles for the eighth and final playoff spot.
@Cey Hey – thanks for the laugh today. I really needed it. You didn’t fail me, like your BlueJays will fail you. Poor guy.
But could also get a Catcher in deal.
The picture for this article shows why he needs TJ. That delivery is hurting my elbow.
Time for TB to dial up…………..BIG SEXY!!!!!!!!!!!!! He could be a BIG man down the stretch…..