Injuries & Moves: Palacios eyeing return this season
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10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
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 began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham on Sept. 17 and went 2-for-6 with three walks in his first two games.
Palacios is expected to remain with Durham until Sept. 22. If all goes well, he will rejoin the Rays to play a few games during their season-ending road trip to Detroit and Boston. (Last updated: Sept. 19)
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.
"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. (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)
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 said on Sept. 19 that he's on track for a normal, healthy offseason.
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. 19)
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)