1:02pm: Eovaldi will indeed undergo surgery, the team announced. He might require a rehab timeline of six to eight weeks, Topkin suggests on Twitter.
Eovaldi will be replaced for the time being by righty Austin Pruitt.
12:12pm: The Rays have suffered a tough blow on the eve of Opening Day, as Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times tweets that righty Nathan Eovaldi will be down to open the season. “Loose bodies” in Eovaldi’s elbow will likely require surgery, per the report.
A potential timeline is not yet clear at this point, though Topkin suggests that Eovaldi is still expected to be a candidate to pitch for the organization at some point in the 2018 season. A two-time Tommy John recipient, Eovaldi does not appear to be at risk of that kind of consequential procedure. But it’s obviously concerning to hear that he may well end up under the knife yet again.
Eovaldi, 28, had joined the organization on a two-year, $4MM deal that allowed him to rehab in 2017. The hope all along was that he’d bounce back in the coming season, and his anticipated presence became a key facet of the team’s plans as he progressed. Instead, he’ll now join prospects Jose De Leon and Brent Honeywell — both of whom underwent TJ procedures this spring — on the shelf. The Rays traded away Jake Odorizzi earlier in the winter, further paring back the organization’s depth.
Tampa Bay has been plotting an interesting approach to their pitching staff, with intentions of using four starters and then filling the fifth starter’s role with a mix of relievers. Whether or not that’ll still be the plan remains to be seen. Clearly, though, the depth will be pressed. The three remaining starters — Chris Archer, Blake Snell, and Jake Faria — will need to be supplemented, with Matt Andriese seeming a likely candidate. That’ll still mean finding another reliever capable of giving some length, with recent trade acquisition Anthony Banda among the 40-man options that had been slated to open the year on optional assignment.
Needless to say, it’s brutal news for Eovaldi, who was on the cusp of launching his comeback. He had recorded a 14:1 K/BB ratio and allowed only six earned runs in 16 2/3 innings this spring. The six-year MLB veteran has long tantalized with his skill, including an upper-nineties heater, but has never quite fully turned the corner at the game’s highest level. In 739 career innings, Eovaldi owns a 4.21 ERA with 6.6 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9.
walls17
Man that’s rough. Things getting worse and worse for Tampa
docmilo5
Tampa has a bucket of young SP ready to step in. Yarbrough and Chirinos made the pen for the “Starter by Bullpen” trial. Both threw 150+ innings last year and will do fine in the rotation.
Pruitt will be taking the roster spot, but my guess is Yarbrough gets Eovaldi’s spot and Pruitt goes to the pen.
deej
All of those bucket of young pitchers aren’t very good otherwise they wouldn’t have been forced to go with a 4 man rotation even with Evoladi.
If the Rays thought they would do “fine” in the rotation, they would have been there in the first place. and they wouldn’t have messed around with reclamation projects like Evoladi.
Kolukonu
Poor guy can’t catch a break.
Begamin
He was looking promising when he played for the Yankees too. He was hitting 100mph regularly as a starter.
deej
And yet gave up a ton of hits. He had the easiest 100mph fastball to hit in the history of MLB.
bigjonliljon
Neither can I. Just picked him up off waivers in fantasy. Lol
RedKing22
Dang, and they were gonna go with a 4-man rotation to start the year. Think they sign a Jimenez, Feldman, Nolasco, Garza, and Gallardo to plug the gap. Maybe even John Lackey. I would’ve thought they would call up Honeywell, but we all know what happened there.
stevewpants
Bartolo!
attgig
my first thought
bastros88
he’s on the Rangers
trendysayings
Yeah, but you would think the Rangers would extend some professional courtesy to let Colon pitch elsewhere if there’s a clear rotation opening elsewhere.
bastros88
he’s pitching for the Rangers against Oakland on the 2nd
cruiser2948
I guess its finally time to make am actual push at moving Archer.
jbigz12
Unless they get back 2 MLB ready starters this doesn’t really impact anything.
Caseys.Partner
“A two-time Tommy John recipient”
Do they get a plaque or a trophy for that?
bastros88
no,that already went to Josh Johnson
pinkerton
only if they’re young enough.
bruinsfan94 2
No but I think its a buy two get one free kinda deal.
xabial
They should, Casey. You know the stats for two-time Tommy John recipients? Why do you think Chen been doing everything he can to avoid getting a 2nd one.
brucewayne
How many guys have had 3 TJ surgeries
brucewayne
and are still playing? I only know of one! Jonny Venters…. of the Rays!
Solaris601
Any more bad news and Manfred will have to declare a state of emergency for Florida teams. The two teams play each other July 2-4 this year which promises to be a humdinger.
jbigz12
Can’t wait to see Matt Andriese take on odrisamer despaigne in what’s sure to be a slugfest. Until you look at the lineups…
Triteon
I’ll put an over/under on attendance at 40,000…for the series.
Zach725
I’ll take the under.
jbigz12
Maybe they take Yarbrough out of the pen. He was a starter in AAA. Either him or Banda will eventually take the 5 spot I would imagine. Yovani Gallardo might just have himself a job now though.
Bald Vinny
Tough blow. He had ace upside in N.Y.
ottomatic
No he didn’t
Bocephus
He’s a famous troll!!!
Senioreditor
Some guys just shouldn’t pitch I guess……..
stubby66
Wouldn’t surprise me if they hope he ends up missing the whole season so they can collect the insurance money for his salary
bleacherbum
A Scott Kazmir reunion could very well be possible here soon.
docmilo5
Kasmir has hired Carmen SanDiego to find his missing velocity. He likely won’t be pitching in major league rotation this year. Maybe some minor league rehab or a bullpen gig. He gets paid anyways, so…..
sully51
Always liked him in LA’s system. Hope he can recover and find that last bit that’s engages him in the bigs.