The Tampa Bay Rays will be missing one of their key relief pitchers, Kevin Kelly, for a few weeks as he lands on the injured list due to a gluteal strain. Kelly, who pitched 18 pitches against the Angels, woke up with the injury the next day, prompting the team to make the decision to place him on the 15-day injured list.
Manager Kevin Cash explained, “We were in between a glute strain and a nerve. We ruled out it’s the nerve. It’s an actual glute strain.” Kelly has had five innings this season with a 3.60 ERA.
In a corresponding move, the Rays brought up pitcher Cole Sulser from Triple-A Durham. Sulser, who had a successful stint with the Rays last season, has been performing well in the minors and is expected to provide valuable support to the bullpen.
Rays outfielder Richie Palacios is taking steps towards returning to the team after playing rehab games for Double-A Montgomery. Palacios, who has been dealing with a finger issue, is showing progress and is expected to rejoin the Rays soon.
Despite a slow start at the plate for catcher Danny Jansen, Manager Cash remains confident in his abilities. Jansen, who is batting 1-for-26, has been getting good at-bats, and Cash believes he will bounce back soon.
Pitcher Drew Rasmussen is off to a strong start this season, with a 1-0 record and solid performances on the mound. Coming off a third elbow surgery, Rasmussen is gradually building up his strength and is aiming to pitch longer into games as the season progresses.
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FAQs
1. How long will Kevin Kelly be out due to his gluteal strain?
Kevin Kelly is expected to be out for at least a couple of weeks while he recovers from his gluteal strain.
2. Who has been called up to replace Kevin Kelly in the Rays bullpen?
Pitcher Cole Sulser has been recalled from Triple-A Durham to fill in for Kevin Kelly in the Rays bullpen.
3. When can we expect Richie Palacios to return to the Rays lineup?
Richie Palacios is set to play rehab games for Double-A Montgomery and will be reevaluated after the weekend, with a potential return to the Rays next week.
Conclusion
The Tampa Bay Rays are facing some challenges with injuries to key players like Kevin Kelly, but they are also making strategic moves to strengthen their roster. With players like Cole Sulser stepping up and others like Richie Palacios showing progress in their recovery, the Rays remain resilient. Manager Kevin Cash’s confidence in his players, despite some slow starts, bodes well for the team’s future success. As the season progresses, the Rays will continue to adapt and overcome obstacles to stay competitive in the league.
