The Rays introduced that they’ve signed right-hander Michael Grove to a giant league deal and positioned him on the 15-day injured listing. He’s nonetheless recovering from final yr’s shoulder surgical procedure. To open a 40-man spot for him, right-hander Ryan Pepiot was transferred to the 60-day IL. Marc Topkin of The Tampa Bay Occasions reported the strikes previous to the official announcement.
It’s unclear what’s occurring with Pepiot however this seems to symbolize no less than a minor setback. He began the season on the 15-day IL as a result of irritation in his proper hip. As of April 4th, he was throwing bullpen periods and reinstatement was anticipated proper round now. This transfer to the 60-day injured listing means he can’t be got here off the IL till late Might.
With Pepiot out, the Tampa rotation has consisted of Shane McClanahan, Drew Rasmussen, Steven Matz, Nick Martinez and Joe Boyle. They misplaced Boyle to the injured listing a number of days in the past as a result of a proper elbow pressure. Jesse Scholtens was recalled and can take the ball tomorrow. Whether or not he sticks round or that’s only a spot begin stays to be seen. The Rays even have Joe Rock on elective task whereas Yoendrys Gómez is pitching a number of innings out of the large league bullpen. Prospect Brody Hopkins is in Triple-A however has walked 20.3% of batters confronted this yr.
Getting Pepiot again into that blend would have helped but it surely doesn’t seem that’s taking place anytime quickly. Extra data will doubtless be revealed about his standing shortly however the Rays should proceed with out him for no less than one other six weeks or so.
The one profit to Pepiot being delayed is that it successfully opened up a 40-man roster spot, which the Rays have used to scoop up Grove. As talked about, he’s recovering from shoulder surgical procedure, which he underwent in March of final yr.
A second-round choose from 2018, Grove had some intriguing leads to the higher minors and the majors, round accidents. From 2022 to 2024, he logged 100 2/3 innings on the farm with a 3.40 earned run common. His 29.4% strikeout fee and seven.2% stroll fee have been each sturdy figures.
He additionally threw 149 1/3 main league innings in that span. The 5.48 ERA within the large leagues doesn’t look good however there’s extra encouragement when trying below the hood. His 23.2% strikeout fee, 6.9% stroll fee and 41.3% floor ball fee have been truly first rate numbers. His .325 batting common on balls in play and 63.9% strand fee have been each to the unlucky facet. His 4.35 FIP and three.85 SIERA felt he would have fared higher if his luck have been extra impartial.
Grove spent 2025 on the injured listing and crossed three years of main league service time. He would have been eligible for arbitration for 2026 however wouldn’t have earned a giant increase after lacking a full season. MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projected him for $800K, a bit above this yr’s $780K minimal. The Dodgers outrighted him off the roster at season’s finish, successfully an early non-tender.
For the Rays, Grove is a wild card after a prolonged absence as a result of that surgical procedure. If he can get wholesome, his service time rely is at three years and 31 days. He’s subsequently controllable for this season and no less than two extra. He additionally has an choice remaining. Which means the Rays may shuttle him between Triple-A and the majors. If he spent a notable period of time on elective task, he won’t get to 4 years of service this yr, which might delay his path to free company.
That will be a secondary concern. Earlier than that might be one thing price occupied with, he’ll must get his shoulder proper after which begin posting good outcomes. His present restoration timeline isn’t clear.
Photograph courtesy of Joe Camporeale, Imagn Photographs
