Injuries & Moves: Fairbanks, Springs won't return this season
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Sept. 17: RHP Pete Fairbanks (right lat strain), LHP Jeffrey Springs (left elbow fatigue) won't return this season
Rays manager Kevin Cash said on Tuesday that Fairbanks and Springs, both currently on the 15-day injured list, won't return this season despite making progress in their rehab programs. Both are expected to be fully healthy and ready for Spring Training 2025.
Cash said Fairbanks is improving, but not progressing quick enough to get back on the mound during the final two weeks of the Rays' season. The closer will finish the season with a 3.57 ERA, 23 saves and 44 strikeouts in 45 1/3 innings over 46 appearances.
Springs, meanwhile, hoped to return after being scratched from his scheduled start on Sept. 9 due to left elbow fatigue, and a recent MRI performed after a visit with Dr. Keith Meister came back clean. Cash said the Rays are "very encouraged" about the lefty's health, and extremely optimistic about the impact he'll have on the rotation next season, but they didn't want to rush him back just so he could pitch one more time heading into the offseason.
Unlike last year, when he was working his way back from Tommy John surgery, Springs -- who put together a 3.27 ERA in seven starts for the Rays -- will get to have a normal, healthy offseason.
"As much as he wants to, I think we put our heads together [and decided] it’s probably best to not slow him down, build him back up and try to force an outing in there," Cash said.
Sept. 16: LHP Colin Poche (left shoulder inflammation) reinstated from the 15-day injured list; RHP Cole Sulser optioned to Triple-A Durham
Poche was placed on the injured list on Aug. 31 after feeling some discomfort in his shoulder while warming up in the bullpen during the Rays’ 13-5 loss to the Padres on Aug. 30. An MRI exam revealed no significant injury, and Poche and the team believed they caught the issue before it turned into anything worse. Still, he was shut down from throwing for a few days while receiving treatment and went on the IL for the first half of September.
Poche said he had a cortisone injection in his shoulder and felt "back to normal" while playing catch within a few days. He tested his arm by facing hitters during a live batting practice session in Port Charlotte, Fla., and was reinstated Monday with a chance to make a handful of appearances over the final two weeks and head into the offseason on a high note. The high-leverage lefty has put together a 3.67 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 31 strikeouts and two saves in 34 1/3 innings over 39 appearances this season.
Sulser has performed well for the Rays as an opener and multi-inning reliever, allowing three hits and six walks while striking out eight over 11 2/3 scoreless innings spanning six appearances this season.
10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
LHP Jeffrey Springs (left elbow fatigue)
Expected return: Spring Training 2025
Springs had been scheduled to start on Sept. 9 in Philadelphia, but instead he was placed on the 15-day injured list on Sept. 8, with the assignment made retroactive to Sept. 5. Springs, who returned from Tommy John surgery earlier this season, said he simply felt a little more sore than normal during his between-starts bullpen session and while playing catch. Rather than pitching at less than 100 percent or risking further injury, Springs reported the issue and went on the IL. He initially hoped to return to make two starts at the end of the season, but manager Kevin Cash announced on Sept. 17 that Springs will not return despite a clean MRI and a "very encouraging" visit with Dr. Keith Meister. (Last updated: Sept. 17)
RHP Pete Fairbanks (right lat strain)
Expected return: Spring Training 2025
Fairbanks exited the Rays' Aug. 18 game with an injury that an MRI exam later revealed as a lat strain. Fairbanks progressed to playing catch and felt good in his recovery, but he wasn't making progress quick enough to return to the mound this season. He is expected to be fully healthy and ready for Spring Training 2025. (Last updated: Sept. 17)
OF/INF Richie Palacios (right knee sprain)
Expected return: Likely late September
Palacios injured his right knee while sliding hard into second base on July 31 against the Marlins. He stayed in the game and eventually scored, but he felt the knee tighten up as he ran the bases and was replaced in left field the following inning. Palacios initially hoped to avoid the injured list, but he was sidelined on Aug. 2, retroactive to Aug. 1. He was set to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham on Sept. 17, with the potential to rejoin the big league club for the final week of the season.
"Tried to play through it, because I try to play through everything. Took a step and then didn't feel so good," Palacios said on Aug. 10. "I'm optimistic about everything. ... I know that whatever happens, whatever I'm in, I'm gonna figure it out." (Last updated: Sept. 17)
60-DAY INJURED LIST
LHP Shane McClanahan (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: Spring Training 2025
McClanahan took a big step in his rehab progression on July 30, throwing off the mound for the first time since he underwent Tommy John surgery on Aug. 21, 2023, his second such procedure. The left-hander threw 10 fastballs at Tropicana Field and said he felt good afterward. He continued throwing regular bullpen sessions throughout August, and he is scheduled to face hitters in live batting practice for the first time on Sept. 26.
McClanahan was placed on the 60-day IL on Feb. 14. He was always expected to miss the entire 2024 season, although the two-year contract he signed with the Rays in January to avoid arbitration included escalators for '25 to account for the possibility of a late-season return in '24 if his rehab allowed for it. (Last updated: Sept. 17)
RHP Jacob Waguespack (right rotator cuff inflammation)
Expected return: Possibly late September
Waguespack began a Minor League rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham on Sept. 6, his first game action since June 25. He was moved to the 60-day IL on May 18. He sustained a right shoulder injury during his outing for Triple-A Durham on May 2 that wasn't expected to require a significant stint on the shelf, but the Rays gained some flexibility by recalling him and placing him on the 15-day IL on May 6.
Waguespack retired all four batters he faced, striking out three, in a start for the Rookie-level Florida Complex League Rays on June 25. He was then shut down with a lower back issue and received injections in his back on Aug. 5. (Last updated: Sept. 6)