The Tampa Bay Rays made a move on Monday, placing struggling closer Pete Fairbanks on the 15-day injured list due to nerve-related issues before their game against the Detroit Tigers. Fairbanks has been dealing with numbness in his fingers for the past few years, and the problem flared up over the weekend.
Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash explained that Fairbanks felt a zinger in his hand while playing catch, leading to concerns about his health. Despite receiving treatment, the issue persisted, prompting the team to place him on the injured list. Fairbanks has undergone tests on his shoulder and arm and will continue to undergo further testing to determine the cause of the problem.
Fairbanks has had a challenging season, posting a 9.00 ERA in eight games. He has struggled on the mound, allowing eight runs in seven innings of work. In his absence, the Rays recalled reliever Kevin Kelly from Triple-A Durham to fill Fairbanks’ spot on the roster.
With Fairbanks out, Cash plans to rotate the closer role based on matchups, utilizing pitchers like Colin Poche, Jason Adam, Shawn Armstrong, and Garrett Cleavinger in key situations. The team hopes to find a solution to Fairbanks’ health issues and get him back on the field as soon as possible.