Rays Bring Back Starter

The Tampa Bay Rays have their 5th starter back. After leaving the team for several days for a family medical emergency, Jeffrey Springs has returned, and will jump right back into the fray with a start tonight.

As expected, #Rays option Fleming back to AAA @DurhamBulls, activate Springs from Family Medical Emergency List so he can start tonight vs. #RedSox

— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) July 5, 2022

Springs has had a sensational season with the Rays in a hybrid starter/reliever role. He has a 2.25 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP over 60 innings. He's started in 10 of his 18 appearances, though most recently he's been acting as the 5th starter. He did allow three home runs his last time out, but that's been the exception to the rule thus far.

Jeffrey Springs goes for The Rays

He has a 35.8% chase rate...that ranks in the 96th percentile

His slider has been filthy ...

opponents are just 9 for 51 (.176) against it

— Brian Barrett (@itsbrianbarrett) July 5, 2022

Stats guru Brian Barrett notes that Springs is in the 96th percentile (yes, that's really good) with a 35.8% chase rate. His slider is the main weapon, as that pitch has held opponents to a .176 average.

It's the 29-year-old's second season in Tampa, and after pitching to a 3.43 ERA strictly out of the bullpen last season, with an eye-popping 12.7 strikeouts per nine, he's followed that up with an even more impressive year this time around.

Lefty Josh Fleming has been optioned to Triple-A to make room for Springs' return.

Photo Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports