LATEST NEWS

June 8: Reinstated LHP Colin Poche (mid-back tightness) from the 15-day IL; placed LHP Richard Lovelady (left forearm flexor strain) on the 15-day IL
The Rays planned to have Poche make another appearance for Triple-A Durham this weekend to finish his rehab assignment, but they instead brought him back to the big leagues before Saturday’s game against the Orioles at Tropicana Field to replace the injured Lovelady.

Poche went on the injured list on April 26, retroactive to April 24, due to a mid-back issue that prevented him from feeling fully comfortable on the mound. He received two cortisone-type injections in his back, then joined Durham for a Minor League rehab stint. He pitched a scoreless inning on June 2 and another on June 4. He threw 21 pitches while giving up two runs and recording only two outs on June 6. He had been slated for another appearance Saturday, but Lovelady's injury accelerated his return.

"It was good to get back out there, get the feet wet, see how I bounce back, and thankfully we didn't have any issues," Poche said Saturday. "I think we're in a good spot."

Acquired from the Cubs on May 18 for Minor League lefty Jeff Belge, Lovelady made eight appearances for the Rays, giving up seven runs (six earned) on nine hits and a walk while striking out six over 7 1/3 innings. He pitched a scoreless, nine-pitch inning with one strikeout in Friday night’s 6-3 loss to the Orioles and said he felt the tightness near his bicep after throwing a 2-2 fastball during that appearance.

June 7: Reinstated INF Taylor Walls (right hip surgery) from 60-day IL; designated DH/OF Harold Ramírez for assignment
Walls underwent surgery last Oct. 27 to repair a labral tear and relieve discomfort from an impingement in his right hip, an injury that he said in Spring Training had been bothering him for more than a year. The slick-fielding infielder was in such pain during the postseason last year, he said, that he could barely swing the bat. His rehabilitation went longer than perhaps expected, as he was transferred to the 60-day IL on April 20 and began a rehab assignment with the Rookie-level Florida Complex League Rays on May 21. He joined Triple-A Durham on May 30 and went 8-for-21 with five doubles and a triple in five games, four of which he started at shortstop.

While Walls’ return was expected, the decision to designate Ramírez for assignment comes as somewhat of a surprise. He was a key part of Tampa Bay’s lineup the past two seasons, batting .306/.348/.432 with 18 homers and 126 RBIs over 242 games. But the 29-year-old is limited defensively and best suited for DH work, and while his batting average remained respectable at .268, he had posted just a .284 on-base percentage and a .305 slugging percentage, with three doubles and one home run in 48 games. Ramírez has posted one of the lowest walk rates and highest chase rates in the Majors, and his expected numbers -- including a .265 xwOBA -- indicate he hasn’t just been the victim of poor luck.

• All Rays transactions

10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST

LHP Richard Lovelady (left forearm flexor strain)
Expected return: Possibly late June
Lovelady, who was acquired from the Cubs, was placed on the 15-day injured list on June 8 with a left forearm flexor strain, one day after pitching a scoreless inning against the Orioles. The lefty reliever said he felt "a little tightness right below my bicep" on a 2-2 fastball during that inning, but managed to get out of the inning by throwing two more sliders. He said he wasn't overly worried or concerned about the injury, had never felt it before and hasn't dealt with a similar issue in the past. Manager Kevin Cash said the Rays are hoping for a short stint on the IL. For the season, Lovelady is 2-4 with a 7.62 ERA in 15 games -- including a 2-3 mark with a 7.36 ERA in eight games for the Rays. (Last updated: June 8)

INF Junior Caminero (left quad strain, No. 1 on Rays' Top 30 Prospects list)
Expected return: Likely July
Caminero, who has spent the entire season with Triple-A Durham after making his Major League debut last September, was placed on the Minor League seven-day injured list on May 29 after sustaining a Grade 2 left quad strain while running out a ground ball for the final out of the game on May 28. The slugging third baseman is expected to miss four to six weeks, which will further delay his anticipated return to the Majors. (Last updated: May 29)

60-DAY INJURED LIST

LHP Jeffrey Springs (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: Likely mid-July
Springs' second rehab appearance in a Rookie-level Florida Complex League game ended after just one batter on May 25, as the left-hander was removed in the bottom of the first with left shoulder tightness. Manager Kevin Cash clarified on May 26 that it was more of a lat issue, something Springs felt under his armpit, and it only kept him off the mound for a few days as he threw a 20-pitch bullpen session on June 1 and another on June 4.

Springs restarted his rehab assignment with the FCL Rays on June 7, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out three during a 24-pitch inning. Cash said Springs felt "really good, so encouraged by that." The Rays' goal is to have Springs pitch two innings for Triple-A Durham on June 12.

Springs underwent Tommy John surgery on April 24, 2023, and was placed on the 60-day injured list on March 15. Before the season, president of baseball operations Erik Neander said Springs could be in line to rejoin the Rays' rotation by July or August. (Last updated: June 7)

RHP Drew Rasmussen (right flexor strain)
Expected return: Late 2024
Rasmussen went on the IL a day after tossing seven scoreless innings on May 11, 2023, in the Rays' 8-2 victory at Yankee Stadium. Manager Kevin Cash announced on July 8 that Rasmussen was slated to undergo a season-ending hybrid internal brace procedure, which he underwent last July 24. Rasmussen, who previously had two Tommy John surgeries, started throwing bullpen sessions on May 21 and is currently throwing 30 pitches per session. President of baseball operations Erik Neander said prior to the season that Rasmussen could return to the big league staff in the final months of the year. He was placed on the 60-day IL on Feb. 20. (Last updated: June 7)

LHP Shane McClanahan (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: Likely 2025
McClanahan has ramped up to throwing from 120 feet. Manager Kevin Cash said on June 7 that McClanahan is "doing well," although he is still unlikely to pitch this season. The left-hander underwent Tommy John surgery on Aug. 21, his second time having the procedure. He is expected to miss the entire season, although the two-year contract he signed with the Rays in January to avoid arbitration included escalators for his 2025 to account for the possibility of a late-season return in ’24, if his rehab allows for it. He was officially placed on the 60-day IL on Feb. 14, before the Rays' first Spring Training workout. (Last updated: June 7)

RHP Jacob Waguespack (right rotator cuff inflammation)
Expected return: TBD
Waguespack was moved to the 60-day IL on May 18. He sustained a right shoulder injury during his last outing for Triple-A Durham that wasn't expected to require a significant stint on the shelf, but the Rays gained some flexibility by recalling Waguespack and placing him on the 15-day IL on May 6. Had the reliever been placed on the Minor League IL, that stint would not have counted toward the time he's required to stay inactive after the move to the 60-day IL. So not only did the Rays open a roster spot for left-hander Richard Lovelady -- acquired in a trade on May 18 -- but they also guaranteed Waguespack will be eligible to return after serving the minimum 60 days, on July 5. (Last updated: May 20)

LHP Brendan McKay (left elbow; Minor League injured list)
Expected return: Possibly late 2024
McKay, who began the season with Double-A Montgomery, reported left elbow discomfort on May 3 after being promoted to Triple-A Durham and was placed on the Minor League 60-day IL on May 11. He told the club the issue began after his April 30 outing with Montgomery. A former top prospect who has been set back by a series of arm injuries since debuting for the Rays in 2019, McKay was diagnosed with a flexor/pronator strain and an accompanying UCL sprain after having an MRI reviewed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache. Doctors recommended five to six weeks of rehab, with no throwing, before he builds back up to full activity. The Rays' expectation is that McKay will be back to full baseball activity in three months. (Last updated: May 14)

• More injury news