Injuries & Moves: Rays reassign four, option Basabe
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March 18: INF Osleivis Basabe among latest round of spring roster moves
The Rays optioned Basabe to Triple-A Durham and reassigned the following players to Minor League camp: infielders Ronny Simon and C.J. Hinojosa, catcher Nick Meyer and right-hander Edwin Uceta. There are now 46 players remaining in camp, including three pitchers on the injured list and a handful of players (Yu Chang, Taylor Walls, Josh Lowe, Jonny DeLuca, Shane Baz) who won’t be ready for Opening Day.
Basabe is the most notable cut, as he stepped up to fill a need at shortstop in the big leagues after Wander Franco went on administrative leave last August. Manager Kevin Cash said Basabe will play shortstop for Durham while continuing to move around the infield, adding, “He helped us in a big way last year and [I] imagine that he will play a big part of our season.”
Simon struggled at the plate this spring, but the Rays’ No. 27 prospect put himself on the club’s radar with his combination of power and speed while playing premium infield positions. Uceta also raised his stock this spring, showing improved velocity as he got stretched into a three or four-inning role. Meyer performed well in camp, going 7-for-21 with two homers, and the catcher endeared himself to Tampa Bay’s staff with his willingness to play the infield to get more at-bats.
March 15: Optioned LHP Jacob Lopez, reassigned LHP Brendan McKay and RHP Michael Gomez to Minor League camp
Lopez finished his time in big league camp on a high note, striking out five while allowing just one hit over three scoreless innings. The lefty will be stretched out to start the season with Triple-A Durham and, after making his debut late last season, could be among the Rays’ first callups if they need a depth option capable of pitching multiple innings.
“Jacob Lopez is going to help us this year, there’s no doubt,” manager Kevin Cash said.
McKay made a healthy return to the mound this spring after working his way back from a series of injuries. The former two-way top prospect, now strictly a pitcher, allowed three runs on five hits while striking out five in four innings over three Grapefruit League appearances. He will work as a starter in the Minors. Cash complimented the lefty’s work in camp but noted “there’s still more work to be done” as he moves past several years lost to injuries. Gomez, selected by the Rays in the Minor League phase of the Rule 5 Draft, gave up three runs over five relief appearances for the Rays this spring.
March 15: Selected RHP Jacob Waguespack to the 40-man roster, placed LHP Jeffrey Springs (Tommy John surgery) on the 60-day IL
In camp on a non-roster Minor League deal, the journeyman Waguespack has thoroughly impressed the Rays with his increased velocity and overall improvement, and he has put himself in position to earn a spot on the club’s Opening Day pitching staff. To make room for him on the 40-man roster, the Rays placed Springs on the 60-day injured list. Springs had Tommy John surgery last April and could return to Tampa Bay’s rotation by July.
March 15: RHP Jake Odorizzi signed to a Minor League contract
A part of the Rays' rotation from 2013-17, Odorizzi returned to the club on a Minor League contract and reported to Spring Training on Friday morning. The veteran right-hander will compete for the spot in the rotation that became available when Taj Bradley sustained a right pec strain that will sideline him for potentially all of April.
Odorizzi, who turns 34 on March 27, did not pitch last season after being traded from the Braves to the Rangers in November 2022. He said he finished his recovery from right shoulder surgery (a labral debridement) last September and resumed throwing off the mound in December. He has been throwing bullpen sessions (with up to 80 pitches) and tried out for at least half the league, he said. He turned down multiple Minor League offers, holding out for a big league deal, but he eventually accepted a Minors deal from the Rays with Opening Day less than two weeks away. Now fully healthy, Odorizzi said he kept in touch with Tampa Bay’s front office throughout the offseason and saw more of an opportunity to pitch in a big league rotation when Bradley went down.
Odorizzi is scheduled to pitch in a back-field setting on Sunday, then get into the mix for Grapefruit League games. His comfort and familiarity with the Rays will work in his favor, but the 11-year veteran hasn’t faced hitters in a meaningful game since Game 3 of the 2022 National League Division Series. Manager Kevin Cash noted that Odorizzi “knows how to get ready” for a season, given his experience, but the club will be closely watching his outings considering how little time is left before Opening Day.
INJURY UPDATES
RHP Shane Baz (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: First half of 2024
Baz, who missed the entire 2023 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery on Sept. 28, 2022, reported to Spring Training as a healthy pitcher. He completed his rehab late last year. But the young right-hander will be limited this season, as he has never carried a significant workload and did not pitch at all last season. Baz will essentially begin his build-up for the season after Spring Training ends, a timeline that wasn’t significantly set back by a minor oblique injury he sustained while picking up a weight in the weight room. Baz got back on the mound to face hitters on March 16, and the Rays hope he can remain on schedule to build up after camp ends, which will likely put him in position to pitch competitively at some point in May. (Last updated: March 17)
OF Josh Lowe (right oblique strain)
Expected return: Possibly Opening Day
Lowe was shut down for six days on Feb. 29 with the idea that he likely would not play for 10-15 days after being irritated by left hip inflammation. Lowe said he could have played through it, but didn’t want to risk it turning into a more severe injury. Lowe progressed to baseball activities and, on March 11, he went through a workout that included hitting in the cage and outfield work. Just as he was nearing a return to game action, Lowe tweaked his right oblique on March 15. An MRI on March 16 revealed a Grade 1 strain, which will sideline him for 5-7 days and keep him from being part of the Opening Day roster. (Last updated: March 17)
RHP Taj Bradley (right pectoral strain)
Expected return: Likely May
Bradley was all set to start against the Orioles on March 12 in Sarasota, Fla., when he felt tightness in his pectoral muscle while warming up in the bullpen. He underwent an MRI that confirmed a right pec strain, which will require him to stop throwing for two weeks before he is re-evaluated. Given the amount of time he will be shut down and how long it will take him to build up his pitch count, Bradley will not be part of Tampa Bay’s Opening Day rotation. If the recovery and throwing progression takes about six weeks in total, he could return in early May. (Last updated: March 15)
OF Jonny DeLuca (fractured right hand)
Expected return: Likely May
DeLuca was struck on the right hand by a 93.1 mph sinker from Boston's Garrett Whitlock while trying to check his swing in the third inning of the Dominican Republic Series finale at Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal. He was sent to a local hospital for X-rays, which confirmed a break in his right hand. DeLuca said the injury is lower on his hand, closer to his wrist. He is expected to miss around six weeks, making him unavailable for Opening Day. (Last updated: March 12)
INF Yu Chang (left oblique strain)
Expected return: Likely MayIn camp on a Minor League deal, Chang will miss the rest of Spring Training after sustaining a left oblique injury on a third-inning swing Feb. 28 in Dunedin. An MRI on Feb. 29 revealed a significant strain, which will sideline the slick-fielding infielder for around 6-8 weeks, if not longer. “Pretty unfortunate. A guy that we really like, coming in competing for a job,” manager Kevin Cash said. (Last updated: March 1)
SS Taylor Walls (right hip surgery)
Expected return: Likely late April/early May
Walls underwent surgery on Oct. 27 to repair a labral tear and relieve discomfort from an impingement in his right hip. Walls said on Feb. 13 he had been dealing with a “noticeable hip impingement” for more than a year, and it reached the point in the playoffs where he could barely swing the bat. Walls spent eight weeks on crutches after the surgery but has since resumed baseball activities. He has been throwing, hitting inside and fielding ground balls, and he recently resumed running in straight lines.
But Cash said on March 6 that Walls is “a ways away.” He won’t be ready for Opening Day, which is why the Rays acquired José Caballero over the offseason. Walls' exact return timeframe is uncertain, but he figured he could safely complete his rehabilitation work and be ready two or three weeks into the season. (Last updated: March 6)
LHP Jeffrey Springs (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: Likely July/August
Springs underwent successful Tommy John surgery on April 24, 2023. Assuming his rehab continues to go well, he could be in line to rejoin the Rays’ rotation by July or August, president of baseball operations Erik Neander said. (Last updated: Feb. 13)
60-day IL
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 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 on July 24. Rasmussen, who previously had two Tommy John surgeries, is doing well in his rehab and could return to the big league staff in the final months of the season, president of baseball operations Erik Neander said. He was placed on the 60-day IL on Feb. 20. (Last updated: Feb. 20)
LHP Shane McClanahan (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: Likely 2025
McClanahan 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: Feb. 14)