The Tampa Bay Rays have placed right-hander Pete Fairbanks on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to April 19, with a nerve-related issue. Right-hander Kevin Kelly was recalled from Triple-A in a corresponding move.
Fairbanks has been one of the better relievers in the league over the past few years, but he has struggled in 2024, allowing seven earned runs in his first seven innings. He has a 3.46 earned run average in his career and has been even better in recent seasons. Over 2022 and 2023, he posted a 2.08 ERA in 69 1/3 innings.
Injuries have occasionally been an issue for Fairbanks, as he only tossed 24 innings in 2022 due to shoulder issues. Last year, he spent time on the IL due to forearm inflammation and hip inflammation but still logged 45 1/3 frames and racked up 25 saves.
The Rays are generally good at cobbling together a pitching staff on the fly but they are being especially challenged this year. Shane McClanahan, Jeffrey Springs and Drew Rasmussen all underwent elbow surgery last year and are still out of action. Shane Baz is still out of action after undergoing Tommy John surgery back in 2022, having not yet pitched this year due to an oblique issue. Taj Bradley is on the IL with a pectoral strain. Subtracting one of the club’s best relievers will only compound the problem.
Until Fairbanks can get back to the club, pitchers like Jason Adam, Phil Maton and Colin Poche will probably taken on the high-leverage assignments. The Rays are above .500 at 12-11 but that record actually places them last in the extremely competitive A.L. East.
