‘Not ideal,’ but not ready, so Rays’ Nick Anderson sent to Triple-A
ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays are hoping to see reliever Nick Anderson dominant again.
But since he’s not back to that form yet, following offseason elbow surgery and a rehab assignment that ended Saturday, they decided to option him to Triple-A Durham so he can keep working at it.
“Look, It’s not ideal,” manager Kevin Cash said. “Nick has been such a big part of our bullpen, our team, for quite some time. But I think he recognized the stuff just wasn’t quite there yet, hasn’t come back.
“He’s still working through it. He’s going to go down there, get his reps and see if we can find that special pitcher that we had for multiple seasons.”
Anderson, 32, has been throwing in the 91-94 mph range during nine appearances at Durham; he averaged around 96 in 2019-20 with the Marlins and Rays.
Anderson had a rough 2020 postseason after a dazzling regular season, then was diagnosed in March 2021 with a partial tear of his ulnar collateral ligament. He rested and rehabbed much of 2021, then returned for six unimpressive September outings. He had October surgery to have an internal brace installed on the UCL.
With a Monday deadline to take action, the Rays reinstated Anderson from the 60-day injured list, then optioned him. To make room on the 40-man roster, right-hander Phoenix Sanders, the USF product who debuted in April and had a 3.07 ERA in eight games, was designated for assignment.
The Rays face similar deadlines Tuesday with right-hander JT Chargois (oblique strain) and lefty Brendan McKay (thoracic outlet syndrome surgery). Chargois, who was in the clubhouse Monday, is expected to be activated; McKay optioned to Durham. The Rays will have to create two more openings on the 40-man roster, though pitcher Josh Fleming (oblique) could be shifted from the 10- to the 60-day injured list, delaying his return until Sept. 11.
Rehab report: Wisler, Franco, Feyereisen, Glasnow
Reliever Matt Wisler, out since late July with a strained neck, will start a rehab assignment Wednesday with Durham. … Wander Franco continues to receive treatment on his sore surgically repaired right hand and remains “day to day” on when he feels ready to resume his rehab assignment at Durham. General manager Peter Bendix said another reason Franco returned to St. Petersburg for treatment was to see his recently born baby. … Reliever JP Feyereisen (shoulder bone bruise) threw a second bullpen session on Monday and, If all goes well in another on Wednesday, he will go to Durham to throw live batting practice. … Tyler Glasnow (Tommy John surgery) will throw his second live batting practice Tuesday at Tropicana Field, then go to Durham for a third and perhaps final session before a rehab assignment.
Miscellany
After leaving his Sunday start with a stomach virus, Shohei Ohtani was not in the lineup Monday but pinch-hit and struck out. He is expected to serve as the designated hitter on Tuesday. “Hope he takes three or four days off,” Cash joked. ... Rays pitchers allowed six or fewer hits for a fifth straight game, matching the franchise record. .. With the Angels starting lefties in at least three games, Cash will rotate which lefty hitters play — Ji-Man Choi and Brandon Lowe didn’t start Monday, but both pinch-hit.… Reliever Ralph Garza Jr., who was designated for assignment Saturday, cleared waivers and was outrighted to Durham. … Chris Prieto was back coaching first base Monday after leaving Sunday’s game with what Cash said were vertigo-like symptoms.
• • •
Sign up for the Rays Report weekly newsletter to get fresh perspectives on the Tampa Bay Rays and the rest of the majors from sports columnist John Romano.
Never miss out on the latest with the Bucs, Rays, Lightning, Florida college sports and more. Follow our Tampa Bay Times sports team on Twitter and Facebook.
