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July 23: Recalled LHP Tyler Alexander from Triple-A Durham; optioned RHP Tyler Zuber to Triple-A
Alexander broke camp in the Rays' rotation and pitched to a 6.19 ERA in 11 outings (six starts) before being optioned to Triple-A Durham. He was back in Tampa Bay's clubhouse on Monday morning and was officially recalled on Tuesday to pitch after opener Shawn Armstrong against the Blue Jays on Tuesday night at Rogers Centre.

Alexander is taking the rotation spot left vacant by right-hander Ryan Pepiot, who was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to a right knee infection. Pepiot was slated to be discharged from a New York hospital on Monday before traveling home to St. Petersburg on Tuesday. The Rays sent down Zuber, who made his first big league appearance since 2021 against the Yankees after his promotion, to make room for Alexander.

Alexander said he felt good during his time in Triple-A, where the lefty put together a 4.54 ERA in 35 2/3 innings over seven appearances (five starts). He had a memorable outing in Toronto on May 17, when he carried a perfect-game bid into the eighth inning.

July 22: No update on 1B Yandy Díaz (restricted list)
Díaz did not travel with the team to New York on Thursday while attending to a family matter. The Rays played short-handed on Friday night but addressed the situation before Saturday afternoon’s game. Manager Kevin Cash said Sunday morning that there was "no real update" on Díaz, and Cash did not have an update before Monday's series finale at Yankee Stadium.

Díaz‘s placement on the restricted list is not considered punitive, and Cash said Saturday Díaz was in daily communication with the club. It's not yet clear when Díaz will rejoin the team, with Cash saying the Rays are "taking it day to day."

On Saturday, the Rays recalled infielder Curtis Mead from Triple-A Durham to take Díaz‘s place on the roster. Mead was thrust immediately into the lineup against Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes and had a career-high-tying three hits.

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10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST

RHP Ryan Pepiot (right knee infection)
Expected return: Early August
Pepiot, who is 6-5 with a 3.92 ERA in 17 starts for the Rays, will miss at least the minimum 15 days due to a knee infection that came about at the end of the All-Star break and required a stay in the hospital in New York to receive antibiotics and IV fluids. It's not clear how Pepiot sustained the injury, but he will be sent home to St. Petersburg on July 23 after being discharged from the hospital on July 22. Pepiot is expected to get back on the mound relatively quickly after that. (Last updated: July 22)

LHP Richard Lovelady (left forearm flexor strain)
Expected return: Likely July
Lovelady, who was acquired from the Cubs in May, was placed on the 15-day injured list on June 8 with a left forearm flexor strain one day after pitching a scoreless inning against the Orioles. The lefty reliever said he felt "a little tightness right below my bicep" on a 2-2 fastball during that inning but managed to get out of the inning by throwing two more sliders. He said he wasn't overly worried or concerned about the injury, had never felt it before and hasn't dealt with a similar issue in the past.

Lovelady started a rehab assignment on July 8 with the Rookie-level FCL Rays, giving up four runs on three hits and a walk while recording two outs, including one strikeout. He pitched a scoreless inning with one strikeout for Triple-A Durham on July 11. For the season, Lovelady is 2-4 with a 7.62 ERA in 15 games -- including a 2-3 mark with a 7.36 ERA in eight games for the Rays. (Last updated: July 12)

60-DAY INJURED LIST

RHP Drew Rasmussen (right flexor strain)
Expected return: Possibly August
Rasmussen began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham on July 21 by pitching a perfect 15-pitch first inning (11 strikes) with one strikeout and touching 98.8 mph with his fastball. Manager Kevin Cash called it a "huge step in the right direction" for Rasmussen, who is still likely to return during the final two months of the regular season.

During his recovery, Rasmussen said he has made some changes to limit the stress on his elbow without making significant changes to his arsenal. He noted they will take his rehab stint "outing by outing" as he regains his stamina on the mound.

Rasmussen went on the IL a day after tossing seven scoreless innings on May 11, 2023, in the Rays' 8-2 victory at Yankee Stadium. Cash announced last July 8 that Rasmussen was slated to undergo a season-ending hybrid internal brace procedure, which he underwent last July 24. Rasmussen previously had two Tommy John surgeries. He was placed on the 60-day IL on Feb. 20. (Last updated: July 22)

LHP Jeffrey Springs (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: Late July/early August
Springs made his eighth rehab start with Triple-A Durham on July 20, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out three over three innings. His outing was cut short after 48 pitches due to a rain delay, but he is on turn to pitch five innings in his next rehab start for Durham.

Springs' longest rehab start came on July 14, when he allowed five runs (four earned) on eight hits and one walk while striking out three over 4 2/3 innings. The Rays are evaluating Springs' readiness to return on a start-to-start basis.

Springs underwent Tommy John surgery on April 24, 2023, and he was placed on the 60-day injured list on March 15. (Last updated: July 21)

LHP Shane McClanahan (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: Likely 2025
McClanahan has ramped up to throwing from 135 feet. Manager Kevin Cash said on July 9 that McClanahan, who is still unlikely to pitch this season, is nearing a built-in rest period in his rehab in which he will stop throwing for at least a week. The left-hander underwent Tommy John surgery on Aug. 21, 2023, his second time having the procedure.

McClanahan is expected to miss the entire 2024 season, although the two-year contract he signed with the Rays in January to avoid arbitration included escalators for his 2025 to account for the possibility of a late-season return in ’24, if his rehab allows for it. He was officially placed on the 60-day IL on Feb. 14. (Last updated: July 9)

RHP Jacob Waguespack (right rotator cuff inflammation)
Expected return: TBD
Waguespack was moved to the 60-day IL on May 18. He sustained a right shoulder injury during his last outing for Triple-A Durham that wasn't expected to require a significant stint on the shelf, but the Rays gained some flexibility by recalling him and placing him on the 15-day IL on May 6. Waguespack retired all four batters he faced, striking out three of them, in a start for the Rookie-level Florida Complex League Rays on June 25. But he has since been shut down with a lower back issue, with no timeframe for his return provided. (Last updated: July 9)

LHP Brendan McKay (left elbow; Minor League injured list)
Expected return: Possibly late 2024
McKay, who began the season with Double-A Montgomery, reported left elbow discomfort on May 3 after being promoted to Triple-A Durham and was placed on the Minor League 60-day IL on May 11. He told the club the issue began after his April 30 outing with Montgomery.

A former top prospect who has been set back by a series of arm injuries since debuting for the Rays in 2019, McKay was diagnosed with a flexor/pronator strain and an accompanying UCL sprain after having an MRI exam reviewed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache. Doctors recommended five to six weeks of rehab, with no throwing, before he builds back up to full activity. The Rays' expectation is that McKay will be back to full baseball activity in three months. (Last updated: May 14)

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