Rays reliever Andrew Kittredge will not pitch again in 2020 after an MRI exam Wednesday revealed a right UCL sprain.

The right-hander experienced elbow soreness Tuesday at Boston and left in the first inning after facing just two batters as the Rays' opener. The team placed Kittredge on the 45-day injured list, ending his season.

¡°It stinks,¡± said Rays manager Kevin Cash. ¡°We knew we were going to have our challenges this year, and we¡¯re trying to avoid injuries like that. Kitt provides so much for us. His consistency -- I think over time he¡¯s become a big key and a high-leverage guy for us. We¡¯re going to miss him the rest of the year. It¡¯s a big loss.¡±

The Rays selected right-hander Aaron Slegers to the Major League roster.

Kittredge on Tuesday became just the seventh pitcher since saves became an official stat in 1969 to record a save and then start the team¡¯s next game with no off-day in between. He immediately shook his right arm in discomfort after his last pitch to Red Sox right fielder Alex Verdugo.

A UCL sprain often results in Tommy John surgery, but Cash said the Kittredge has not yet decided on the next step. If Kittredge elects for surgery, it¡¯s likely he¡¯ll be sidelined for most, if not all, of the 2021 season.

¡°We have to do right by him and let him get the opinions that he wants to seek,¡± Cash said. ¡°Kitt, along with [athletic trainer] Joe Benge, along with his family, will put their heads together on what course of action they want to do.¡±

The injury bug has hit the Rays hard lately, as Charlie Morton, Yonny Chirinos and Oliver Drake are all on the 10-day injured list. Brendan McKay, the team's No. 2 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, was shut down on Tuesday with left shoulder inflammation. Colin Poche, one of the top left-handers in the bullpen, was lost for the season during Summer Camp after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

Slegers¡¯ role
The Rays are in need of pitchers who can provide depth, and that¡¯s exactly what Slegers brings to the table. The right-hander has been in the alternate training site in Port Charlotte, Fla. and has been utilized as a starter or as the bulk pitcher behind an opener.

Cash said Slegers is available to pitch up to four or five innings, whenever the club needs it.

¡°I was throwing four to five innings every four or five days,¡± Slegers said. ¡°I¡¯ve been with the club since we got on the plane in Tampa as a taxi squad member, so I¡¯ve been preparing this whole time mentally that I can be added any day because that¡¯s what I¡¯m here to do.¡±

Slegers, a fifth-round Draft pick of the Twins in 2013, pitched in nine big league games from ¡¯17-19, posting a 5.63 ERA. Slegers, who is 6-foot-10, had one appearance with Tampa Bay last season, and became the tallest player in franchise history, passing Jeff Niemann and Mark Hendrickson, who stand at 6-9.

Catching depth
Catcher Kevan Smith, who was designated for assignment on Sunday, cleared waivers and accepted his outright assignment to the alternate training site.

Smith was on the Rays¡¯ Opening Day roster but didn¡¯t get much playing time, appearing in just four games. Keeping Smith, however, is big for the Rays, who are thin at the position behind Michael Perez and Mike Zunino.

¡°Kevan Smith is a Major League catcher,¡± Cash said. ¡°We¡¯re fortunate to have him. He¡¯ll go through the intake protocols and get back to Port Charlotte over the weekend. It¡¯s nice to have that depth. It¡¯s nice to have that veteran presence to call on when needed.¡±