The Rays have made a swap of starters, with right-hander Ryan Pepiot going on the 15-day injured list, while Taj Bradley has been reinstated from the IL and will start Friday’s game. The moves were relayed on X by Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.
Pepiot was hit on the leg by a comebacker on Sunday. A CT scan came back negative for any fractures but the club will give him some time on the injured list anyway, presumably to get over any soreness or swelling he’s currently experiencing.
It’s an unfortunate development for the Rays, as Pepiot was out to a strong start to the year. Acquired from the Dodgers as part of the Tyler Glasnow trade, Pepiot has made seven starts with a 3.68 earned run average. He has struck out 29.1% of batters faced while walking 7.8% of them.
Rotation health has been an ongoing concern in Tampa for quite a while. Each of Shane Baz, Shane McClanahan, Jeffrey Springs and Drew Rasmussen are on the injured list due to undergoing elbow surgeries last year, or 2022 in the case of Baz. Jacob Waguespack is also on the IL due to a strained shoulder while Bradley had been there due to a strained pectoral.
Bradley now swapping in for Pepiot makes this a neutral move in a sense, though Bradley’s results haven’t been as strong as Pepiot’s thus far. He had a 5.59 ERA in 104 2/3 innings for the Rays last year. His 28% strikeout rate was strong and his 8.5% walk rate around average, but he allowed 23 home runs.
The rotation will now consists of Zach Eflin, Zack Littell, Aaron Civale, Tyler Alexander and Bradley, at least until Pepiot heals up. Bradley still has options and could perhaps be sent back to the minors later in the year, though the club will have other choices available. Civale has a 6.14 ERA while Alexander is at 4.96 and both of them are optionable as well.
Curious what plans they have for Shane Baz when he’s back in a few weeks.
Eventually the Rays are going to have to decide if Civale is a starter or reliever, but they have time. It’s very unlikely Baz returns to the Show immediately after his rehab assignment ends. He hasn’t pitched in 2 years and only has about 40 IP under his belt at the Major League level.
Civale is a bulk starter and not much more. Can’t last more than 4 innings 2x through a lineup before getting pelted.