*Photo from Beyond the Box score*
The Tampa Bay Rays lost one of their best, if not their best, relief pitcher for a few months. RHP Nick Anderson has suffered a partially torn ligament in his right elbow, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Anderson will be shut down for a minimum of 8 weeks, keeping him out of action until at least the midseason mark of 2021.
Anderson had a rocky spring training with the Rays after a rocky postseason in 2020, posting a 7.36 ERA in spring action with the Rays. His last appearance came on Wednesday, when he gave up 4 hits and his velocity looked like it fell off a cliff. Anderson and the Rays then found out on Thursday that a ligament in his right elbow was partially torn. Surgery has not been recommended, and Anderson has been placed on the 60 Day IL by the Rays.
Anderson said of his injury that "I want to be out there with the guys and help the team as much as I can. That's kind of what this game is about. That's kind of why I was a little stressed here this Spring Training, trying to figure my stuff out. I don't want to break with the team or something like that and not be feeling good and going out and blowing games and stuff. That's not doing the team any good."
Over the next week, Anderson said he will look at different options for rehab, such as getting platelet rich plasma injections, or stem cell injections. Surgery seems unlikely at this point, which is a positive, and Anderson will be evaluated in two months to decide if he can begin a throwing program. If he starts throwing in two months, he will still likely be out until past the all star break, or even into August if things don't go according to plan.
Rays reliever Pete Fairbanks said of Anderson's injury that "I don't think you can overstate how good of an arm he is and what he brings to the table every day. He's one hell of a fireman for us, and so that's hard to replace in any capacity. When you've got a guy like that, with his demeanor and his ability to never really have a moment that's too big, I think that something like that is hard to replace. But we'll do our best."
Indeed, the Rays will do their best, as they have several options to fill the void at closer with Anderson on the shelf. Fairbanks, Diego Castillo, Chaz Roe, Ryan Thompson, and Ryan Sherriff are among the options available to Kevin Cash.
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