ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Rays starter Jeffrey Springs left Thursday’s game in the fourth inning due to a nerve related issue in his left arm.
The Rays announced an initial diagnosis of ulnar neuritis which, per several online sites, is inflammation of the ulnar nerve that leads to numbness or weakness in the hand. The team said he will be further evaluated on Friday.
Springs looked sharp over the first three innings, allowing only one hit, a first-inning homer by Rob Refsnyder, and striking out five. That was the first run Springs has given up in three starts this season. He threw six no-hit innings in his first start and allowed just three hits over seven innings in his second, while striking out a combined 19.
He threw two pitches to Justin Turner to start the fourth, a 79.8-mph change-up and an 83.5-mph slider, then seemed to have some discomfort.
Springs looked at his hand and elbow, walked around the mound, then flexed his hand a few times and rotated his forearm. Catcher Francisco Mejia went to the mound first, then manager Kevin Cash and head athletic trainer Joe Benge. Springs initially waved them off, but after a brief conversation they had him try one warm-up pitch then made the decision to take him out.
Springs last year transitioned from reliever to the rotation and became one of the Rays’ top starters, good enough to get a four-year, $41 million contract extension in January.
