Rays closer Pete Fairbanks seems likely to miss the rest of the season after being diagnosed Monday with a right lat strain.
Fairbanks left Sunday’s game during the ninth inning in obvious discomfort, and an MRI exam Monday in St. Petersburg confirmed the strain.
Though manager Kevin Cash didn’t rule out a return this season, the timetable for Fairbanks’ recovery makes it challenging. As does history: When Fairbanks sustained a right lat strain in spring training 2022, he didn’t rejoin the Rays until mid-July.
“Probably shut down, I think the doctor said, from throwing two to four weeks,” Cash told reporters in Oakland before Monday’s game. “We’ll have a better understanding, probably right about the time when we get back from the road trip (Aug. 30), seeing how he’s feeling.
“But we’ll be cautious with everything, and then see if we can build him back up. We’ve got to let it heal for a little bit. Not much you can do other than rest it and probably (get) some treatment.”
Reliever Joel Kuhnel was called up from Triple-A Durham to take Fairbanks’ spot on the roster. Kuhnel, claimed off waivers from Milwaukee on July 23, made two previous appearances for the Rays, working four scoreless innings.
Also Monday, the Rays placed catcher Ben Rortvedt on the paternity list and called up Rob Brantly.
The 35-year-old veteran lefty hitter has spent most of his 15-year pro career in the minors (978 games) and parts of eight seasons in the majors, playing only 134 games (and just nine of those over the last six-plus seasons). His most recent big-league game was May 22, 2022, for the Yankees. He has also played for the Marlins, White Sox, Phillies and Giants.
(Rene Pinto, who began the season as the Rays’ starting catcher before being sent down May 3, has been sidelined at Durham since July 30 with a right wrist injury.)
And leadoff hitter Yandy Diaz, who left Sunday’s game with a painful and bruised left forearm after being hit by a pitch in the first inning, returned to the lineup as the DH, telling reporters in Oakland he was still sore. Also back in the lineup was centerfielder Jose Siri, who had not started since a lack of hustle on the bases Wednesday.
With Fairbanks out (and Jason Adam traded last month), closing duties are likely to be shared by several relievers. Veteran lefty Colin Poche has 12 career saves and Manny Rodriguez five; the other six current relievers have nine combined.
“It’s a big absence, there’s no doubt,” Cash said. “I’m happy with Edwin Uceta and Manny Rodriguez to get these reps here lately in high-leverage situations, that’ll help. But probably not a guy that we’re going to be able to replace with one guy. We’re going to need a pretty collective group effort.”
Since returning from an injured list stint in May, Fairbanks — until this past weekend — had been on an impressive run, converting 20 of 21 saves while posting a 1.47 ERA through 36 games.
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Explore all your optionsBut Fairbanks allowed a two-run tying homer with two outs in the ninth inning Friday, and then on Sunday allowed a three-run tying homer with one out in the ninth.
Overall he is 3-3, 3.57 with 23 saves in 27 opportunities.
‘J-Money’ leaves Rays for NHL Penguins
Jonathan Erlichman, who spent 2019-23 in the Rays dugout in the innovative position of process and analytics coach, left the team to join the NHL’s Penguins.
Erlichman, who earned the nickname J-Money based on a fancy dress-to-impress shirt he wore to the office at the onset of his career, has been with the Rays for 12 seasons, starting as an intern and returning to the front office after last season in a vice president role.
He is a native of Toronto who grew up playing on the ice, and in Pittsburgh he will have the title of vice president of hockey research, development & strategy, with responsibilities that include “the club’s use of data and analytics in the player acquisition, player development and player evaluation processes,” per a news release.
“I’m so thankful for the time I spent with the Rays,” said Erlichman, 34, via text. “I’ve been there basically my entire adult life. I’ve been able to go to a World Series, be in the dugout and be a part of some great innovations in the front office. This wasn’t an easy decision to make, trust me. With the amazing leadership and whole organization, starting with (principal owner) Stu (Sternberg), (baseball operations president) Erik (Neander) and (team president) Matt (Silverman), I didn’t really ever see myself leaving.
“But when this opportunity arose, it was too good to pass up. I grew up loving hockey. I’m Canadian after all. Between that and the direction (Penguins general manager) Kyle (Dubas) and the group he has around him are looking to go, it felt like the perfect fit.”
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