Reed healthy, eager to return after TOS surgery

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- Cody Reed’s first stint with the Rays was defined by a frustrating, nearly inexplicable injury that robbed him of his ability to pitch. He often felt numbness and weakness in his left hand, the same one that was capable on a good day of producing 95 mph fastballs. There were times, he said, when he couldn’t grip a baseball at all.

“I mean, how traumatizing is that, as a guy that has a ball in his hand every time he's out there, to barely be able to hold on to it?” Reed said Wednesday morning. “That was tough to deal with.”

The symptoms allowed him to pitch just twice after the Rays acquired him from the Reds in August 2020, then he appeared in only 12 games last season -- with his typical 95 mph fastball reduced a few ticks on the radar gun. At least one doctor wondered if Reed had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the neurodegenerative disease commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. The same thought had crossed Reed’s mind.

But Reed’s concerns were alleviated, and his physical condition dramatically improved, after he underwent a thoracic outlet syndrome decompression procedure last June. Now, after signing a Minor League deal with an invitation to Major League Spring Training on Tuesday, the lefty reliever is back in Rays camp and looking to show what he can do at full health.

“Just a wild thing that really happened,” Reed said. “I think the surgery worked wonders, and now I'm just trying to get back and prove myself again.”

Reed made a stunningly quick return to the mound last year, as he resumed throwing only seven weeks after surgery and pitched in Minor League games by mid-September. Rays officials and medical staff were blown away by the 28-year-old’s work ethic and determination to return after such a serious procedure.

“He was chomping at the bit,” manager Kevin Cash said. “I remember right at the end of the season, we clinched, and I mean, Cody was full bore: 'If there's anything I can do to help, I want to put myself available to help.'”

Reed pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings with nine strikeouts and only one walk in six outings for Triple-A Durham to end the season, and he used the winter to rebuild the usual arm strength he lacked coming back from surgery. After all the injury issues, Reed is finally coming off a relatively normal offseason.

“I've had the offseason to work out, to take the time off that I needed and get back in the swing of things, and I'm excited to get back out there,” Reed said. “Just really need to get on the field and be around everyone.”

Reed has raved about his experience with the Rays, speaking highly of his relationships with the players and coaches as well as the clubhouse environment. It’s also a convenient reunion, as he moved to Tampa after the 2019 season. Tampa Bay was high on his upside and ability this time last year, and the Rays are intrigued to see what he can offer as another part of their bountiful bullpen depth.

“So happy to see him. He's a good guy. Teammates love him,” Cash said. “I can't wait to see him healthy.”

Camp notes
• The Rays held another short workout Wednesday morning at Charlotte Sports Park. The highlight for Cash was the team’s defensive drills, with the outfielders throwing and the work around the infield looking particularly sharp.

“That was impressive,” Cash said. “We’re seeing more and more that the guys did a good job through the odd offseason of keeping themselves in shape.”

• Center fielder Kevin Kiermaier (stiff neck/upper back) progressed to playing catch and continued to chase fly balls at full speed during batting practice, but he did not hit on the field. Kiermaier felt noticeably better Wednesday morning, though, and should begin a normal progression to game activity in the coming days.

“I think where we’re at, pacing him, probably he’ll sit a couple ballgames,” Cash said. “We’ll let him have the same workload that the guys [who] came in feeling all right [had] before we ramp up his game play.”

• Right-hander Ryan Thompson and lefty Josh Fleming were among the pitchers who threw bullpen sessions on Wednesday. Cash said pitching coach Kyle Snyder was “very encouraged” to see a healthy Thompson, who did not pitch for the Rays after June 27 and eventually underwent surgery to address thoracic outlet syndrome last September.

• There have also been encouraging reports about lefty Jalen Beeks, who did not pitch last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, as his fastball was clocked at 93-94 mph during a recent bullpen session. Beeks had a 3.26 ERA with 26 strikeouts and four walks in 19 1/3 innings to begin the 2020 season and could return in a multi-inning relief role this year.

• On a lighter note, Cash was asked who will be on the receiving end of his frequent teasing and jabbing now that infielder Joey Wendle -- previously his favorite target -- is with the Marlins.

“I told [Austin] Meadows it’s going to be a rough season for him,” Cash said, laughing.