ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays lost another key part of their bullpen before Monday’s series opener against the Reds at Tropicana Field, and they revealed that one of their top high-leverage arms is further away from a return than anticipated.
Right-hander Mason Englert was placed on the 15-day injured list due to right forearm tightness, and right-hander Trevor Martin was selected to the Major League roster from Triple-A Durham.
In a separate development, manager Kevin Cash revealed that high-leverage right-hander Edwin Uceta sustained a right subscapularis strain, a different injury than the right shoulder impingement he was already recovering from. The right-hander was on a Minor League rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham when he reported soreness in the back of his throwing shoulder.
Uceta, who has been injured since the beginning of Spring Training, will be shut down from throwing for two to three weeks. That means he is likely at least four to six weeks away from potentially being able to pitch in the Majors.
In addition to right-handers Manuel Rodriguez and Steven Wilson being on the 60-day injured list, the Rays have lost three key relievers in Uceta, Garrett Cleavinger (right calf tightness) and now Englert to injuries.
The good news, relatively speaking, is that Englert’s injury doesn’t appear to be too serious. Cash said the Rays are “not overly concerned” about Englert’s status, as imaging revealed no major issues. The right-hander will be shut down from throwing for a few days, then he will be built back up as a multi-inning arm.
“The early stuff looks like it’s going to be in a good spot. It’s nothing too concerning or too major,” Englert said. “I’m in a good spot. … Everything feels good.”
Englert said he has felt some discomfort for about a week, noting that it was taking his throwing elbow a little longer than usual to loosen up. The Rays made the decision after Sunday’s series finale in Pittsburgh, when Englert threw 38 pitches over 2 1/3 innings a day after recording two outs in the Rays’ marathon, 13-inning victory against the Pirates.
But Englert echoed Cash’s sentiment, saying he is “not at all” worried about it being a long-term issue.
“It would bark warming up, the recovery day after or the first couple throws of an inning after sitting for a second,” he said. “It’s not a big deal. It just needs a second to chill.”
With those injuries affecting their roster, the Rays summoned the 25-year-old Martin from Triple-A. A third-round pick in the 2022 Draft out of Oklahoma State, Martin moved to the bullpen last year and pitched well for Double-A Montgomery. He was off to a hot start for Durham, racking up 11 strikeouts (with six walks) in 9 1/3 innings over seven scoreless appearances.
Cash said pitching coach Kyle Snyder and bullpen coach Jorge Moncada also liked what they saw from Martin during Spring Training.
“He showed a big fastball. When we found out about Mason yesterday after the ballgame, guys were excited for him to get the opportunity,” Cash said.
Martin found out Sunday, when Triple-A manager Morgan Ensberg gathered the team to review some details of their upcoming travel plans. At the end, he told the group, “Martin, you’re not going to be on the bus. You’re going to the big leagues.”
Martin immediately called his wife, Hanna, then shared the news with his parents, Michael and April. Those three, Hanna’s family and several other friends and family members quickly booked flights from Martin’s native Oklahoma to be at Tropicana Field on Monday night for his potential Major League debut.
“Still just trying to get a wrap around everything,” he said, smiling, “because it’s like a lifelong dream.”