Rays lose key bullpen arm Wells to IL with forearm tightness
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The Rays announced a flurry of roster moves on Tuesday, including placing key trade acquisition Tyler Wells on the 15-day injured list with right forearm tightness. The 32-year-old Wells had pitched to a 1.50 ERA in 14 relief appearances since joining Tampa Bay from the Orioles at the Trade Deadline.
The Tampa Bay bullpen has taken a few hits lately, with Wells joining Manuel Rodríguez and Garrett Cleavinger on the injured list. The Rays turned to prospects Ty Johnson and Brody Hopkins to fill those earlier holes, while right-hander Alex Cook will rejoin the club from Triple-A Durham after Wells’ injury.
Cook, 25, debuted earlier this summer, making two appearances. He pitched two scoreless innings on July 31 and allowed three runs in 1 2/3 innings on Aug. 2. The 2022 12th-round MLB Draft pick had a 4.53 ERA with the Bulls this season.
Additionally, the Rays reinstated outfielder Jake Fraley from the 60-day IL. Out since May with a hernia, Fraley had been on a rehab assignment with Triple-A since Aug. 25. He carried a .690 OPS with two home runs in 28 games this season before the injury.
To make room on the roster for these moves, the Rays optioned catcher Kenny Piper to Durham and recalled injured outfielder Jacob Melton (right hamstring strain) before transferring him to the 60-day IL.