Rays’ Jeffrey Springs climbs latest rehab hurdle by throwing off mound
PORT CHARLOTTE — While the Rays’ active players are looking forward to playing for real next week, Jeffrey Springs, one of their rehabbing starters, has been focused on his own small victories.
One came this week, as the lefty progressed to throwing off the mound for the first time since his April 24 Tommy John elbow surgery: first, what is called a short box, where the catcher sets up on or just in front of the plate; then on Tuesday a full 15-or-so-pitch bullpen session.
“It was obviously something to look forward to for a long time,” Springs said. “I was ready to kind of take on the next hurdle. Throwing at first was kind of a big hurdle, like, OK, I figured out how to throw again, normal, so to speak.”
After playing catch for a while, Springs was ready for the next stage. For now, he will throw off the mound twice a week, building workload and getting more comfortable working under the guidance of rehab coach Rick Knapp.
“Now it’s getting the timing, mechanics and everything,” Springs, 31, said. “It’s exciting. I feel really good. Ready to kind of tackle that next hurdle of getting back to pitching and feeling like a player again.”
The Rays have said they expect Springs back sometime in July. He has a rough date in mind when he will head to Triple-A Durham to start his rehab but doesn’t want to share it as he knows little things can come up and cause delays.
“I’m excited where I’m at with everything, for sure,” said Springs, who made only three starts last year before being injured in what was first said to be a nerve issue.
Shane Baz, who is being built up slowly in his return from September 2022 Tommy John surgery, also has started throwing off the mound after a slight delay due to a mild oblique strain. He tossed 25 pitches on Tuesday.
Turf wars
The Rays released some details on the new Shaw Sports turf that was installed at Tropicana Field, with the most visual difference being the appearance of stripes as are often included in grass fields.
To create that look, the Rays are using two slightly different shades of green artificial turf, alternated in 15-foot wide strips in the outfield and 7½-foot in the infield.
Other changes include substituting coconut husks for rubber pellets along with the sand in the backfill, which should provide a truer bounce; and using crushed walnut shells on the outfield warning track to provide a notably different texture for fielders.
The Rays donated 75,000 square feet of old turf to the City of St. Petersburg, Hillsborough County and other local groups to be used for sports facilities.
Miscellany
The Rays announced three postgame concerts for the coming season: alternative rock band Jimmy Eat World on July 26 (after game vs. Reds), country singer Riley Green on Aug. 10 (Orioles) and hip-hop/R&B artist T-Pain on Aug. 16 (Diamondbacks). ... After rapping two home runs and a double in the prospects game against the Twins Saturday, Xavier Isaac was an obvious selection to Major League Baseball’s All-Spring Breakout team. ... While most of the team was off Wednesday, Jacob Waguespack threw four-plus innings (72 pitches) and Colin Poche one inning (11 pitches) in a minor-league game. ... Most of the regulars are expected to play Thursday against the Phillies in Clearwater, with Ryan Pepiot starting. .... The Rays are slated to play the Twins Friday in Port Charlotte, but the forecast calls for all-day rain. ... They will break camp on Saturday — after playing split squad games at home vs. the Orioles and at the Braves — and then work out of the Trop starting Sunday.
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