ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays announced a flurry of roster moves before Tuesday night’s series opener against the A’s at Tropicana Field, headlined by key reliever Tyler Wells being placed on the 15-day injured list due to right forearm tightness.
Wells, 32, has put together a 1.50 ERA in 14 relief appearances since joining Tampa Bay from the Orioles at the Trade Deadline, solidifying the Rays’ setup mix in front of All-Star closer Bryan Baker. His assignment was made retroactive to Sunday, but it will still sideline him for the rest of the regular season.
Wells said he didn’t feel any issues in his forearm while he was pitching on Saturday, so he was surprised to feel it tighten up after he left the game. After undergoing imaging on Monday, though, Wells is optimistic that he will be back in time to play a key role in whatever run the Rays make in the postseason.
“Hoping that it’s just a minimum stint,” Wells said. “Nothing too bad, but we got everything checked out by multiple doctors. Everything looks really, really good. There’s no structural damage or anything like that. That is no concern whatsoever. So, overall, just got the best news possible.”
Rays manager Kevin Cash admitted it was a “tough call” to put Wells on the IL, knowing that he will be unavailable as they attempt to nail down their first American League East title since 2021 in the next two weeks. But the club wants to do right by Wells and his long-term health, and carrying even a temporarily injured Wells would have made things that much more challenging for the rest of the bullpen.
“I’m happy that he’s optimistic. That gives us more optimism,” Cash said. “Some forearm tightness that we felt like we’ve really got to kind of manage and get it calmed down. He’s been such a big part of our club and our bullpen since being acquired, so we’ll try to get it calmed down and go from there.”
The Tampa Bay bullpen has taken a few hits lately, with Wells joining Manuel Rodríguez and Garrett Cleavinger on the injured list. Rodríguez began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham on Sunday and was scheduled to pitch again Tuesday, putting him in line to return at some point before the regular season ends.
The Rays turned to prospects Ty Johnson and Brody Hopkins to take those earlier spots, and expect to give both a look in key situations while auditioning for postseason spots down the stretch. They recalled right-hander Alex Cook from Triple-A Durham to replace Wells.
Wells expressed confidence in his teammates, but that didn’t make the timing of his injury any easier to deal with.
“Super frustrated. I mean, the timing obviously couldn’t have been worse given the circumstances,” Wells said. “But at the same time, too, this allows me to get ready for the postseason and really make sure that I’m feeling right and, I think, being able to contribute there and hopefully make up for the time missed during these critical games.”
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.
Acquired over the winter to be the Rays’ primary right fielder against right-handed pitchers, Fraley admitted the time he missed was frustrating. During that time, Victor Mesa Jr. has stepped into that role and been one of Tampa Bay’s most valuable players. Cash mentioned that Fraley could contribute off the bench, at the plate and on the bases.
The Rays will have more decisions to make in the coming days, too, as shortstop Taylor Walls (right hip flexor strain) is “day to day” and infielder Ben Williamson (right hamstring strain) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham on Tuesday night.
Regardless, Fraley was thrilled to rejoin the AL-leading Rays for their most important games of the season.
“I’m just excited to help in any way I can. I’m not putting any expectations on it,” Fraley said. “I just want to kind of sift myself back into the great clubhouse we have and the great team that we have and cheer the guys on. And whatever opportunity I get, I’ll be ready for it.”
To make room on the roster for these moves, the Rays optioned catcher Kenny Piper to Durham -- although their “catching closer” will remain on the taxi squad for the rest of this series -- and recalled injured outfielder Jacob Melton (right hamstring strain) before transferring him to the 60-day IL.