TAMPA -- The Rays lost a key reliever to the injured list before Friday¡¯s series opener against the Braves, as they placed right-hander Kevin Kelly on the 15-day IL with a left gluteal strain.
The Rays recalled right-hander Cole Sulser from Triple-A Durham to take Kelly¡¯s spot in the bullpen.
Manager Kevin Cash said Kelly has dealt with this issue in the past, specifically when he¡¯s building up his workload -- like when he resumes throwing in January or intensifies his throwing in Spring Training. But Cash said his glute ¡°really grabbed him¡± after he pitched a scoreless sixth inning in the Rays¡¯ 5-4 win over the Angels on Wednesday night.
¡°Unfortunate for KK,¡± Cash said. ¡°We¡¯ll see. Shut him down for a couple days and get a ball back in his hand and see where he¡¯s at.¡±
Kelly woke up Thursday morning in discomfort and informed head athletic trainer Joe Benge. They were initially unsure if it was a nerve issue or a strain, but further testing confirmed it was the latter. The Rays don¡¯t yet have a timeline for his return to the mound.
¡°It's too early. I mean, it's all going to depend on how much he has to be shut down from not throwing,¡± Cash said. ¡°Once we get to the point where we get a ball in his hand, then we'll have a better assessment of how long he'll miss.¡±
Kelly gave up two runs on a pair of hits in his second outing of the season, but his other four appearances to begin the season were scoreless and hitless. The 27-year-old sidearmer has emerged as one of Cash¡¯s most trusted bullpen arms over the past two years. Last season, he tied for the team lead with 68 appearances while posting a 2.67 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP in 70 2/3 innings.
Fortunately for the Rays, they broke camp feeling pretty good about their bullpen depth. That included Sulser, the 35-year-old right-hander who has served three stints in the organization. He debuted for Tampa Bay in 2019, finished the 2023 season with Durham after a midseason move and rejoined the team last July 26 in a cash trade with the Mets.
In 19 innings over 13 scoreless appearances between his two Major League stints with the Rays, Sulser has allowed eight hits and nine walks while striking out 17. Overall, he has a 3.74 ERA in 139 big league appearances over parts of six seasons.
¡°I love getting to play for the Rays and getting to put on the jersey for them. It's always nice to come to a place that you do feel comfortable,¡± Sulser said. ¡°I think they do an amazing job with the clubhouse atmosphere, the guys, the coaching staff, everyone from top to bottom. So really happy to continue to be a part of this organization.¡±
Palacios on the comeback trail
There was some good news on the injury front for the Rays on Friday. Outfielder/infielder Richie Palacios (fractured right ring finger) played five innings and got five at-bats in extended spring training, Cash said, and ¡°all went well¡± in his return to game action.
Palacios is set to join Double-A Montgomery to begin a Minor League rehab assignment on Saturday. Cash said Palacios will play on Saturday and Sunday -- Monday is an off-day in the Minors -- before the club decides what¡¯s next.
The Rays elected to send Palacios to Montgomery rather than Durham simply because the Triple-A club is playing in chilly Buffalo, N.Y., which would have been a less-than-ideal atmosphere for a player returning from a fractured finger.