ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Pepiot was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a bruised lower left leg.
The right-hander departed his start Sunday after getting hit on the calf by a 107.5 mph line drive off the bat of the New York Mets‘ Starling Marte.
Both Pepiot and Rays manager Kevin Cash said they believe it will be a short-term injury.
“Really feel like this is a smart thing to do for him,” Cash said. “To land on that leg 100 times here in a couple of days probably didn’t make the most sense.”
Pepiot played catch for seven minutes Wednesday, including simulated mound throwing on level ground. He said being placed on the IL is frustrating.
“I don’t want to leave the team in a bad position,” Pepiot said. “Try to make it happen, go out there, and then end up screwing the bullpen for a second time.”
Pepiot hopes to throw off a mound this weekend or early next week.
“Just trying to take it day by day,” Pepiot said. “The swelling has gone down.”
Pepiot immediately fell to the ground but was able to get back up on his own after getting hit by Marte. He was removed after throwing a couple of warm-up pitches from the mound.
Pepiot is 3-2 with a 3.68 ERA in seven starts. He was acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers in December in a trade in which the Rays sent ace Tyler Glasnow to the National League club.
Right-hander Taj Bradley was reinstated from the 15-day IL and will start Friday night against the New York Yankees after being out all season with a right pectoral strain. Bradley allowed one run and two hits over 11 innings in two starts with Triple-A Durham.
“His stuff has been very, very good,” Cash said. “He’s throwing the ball over the plate. He’s controlling the running game. He’s got a lot of confidence with all of his pitches right now. He knows he’s going to have to mix against the Yankees on Friday.”
Other injured Rays starting pitchers could return this season.
Left-hander Jeffrey Springs, coming back from Tommy John surgery, is scheduled for a simulated game Thursday and an extended spring training game May 20.
Right-hander Shane Baz, also rehabbing following Tommy John surgery and a left oblique strain, is slated to make his second start with Triple-A Durham on Friday night.
Righty Drew Rasmussen is expected to resume throwing off a mound this month after undergoing hybrid internal brace surgery on his throwing elbow. He had two previous Tommy John procedures.
Ace Shane McClanahan is throwing at 90 feet following his second Tommy John operation. He is not expected back this season.