The fact the season is all of two weeks old shall not dismiss the ineffectiveness of the Tampa Bay Rays’ bullpen. True, there is plenty of time to iron out inconsistencies that have plagued the group, though such a rough start is rather eyebrow-raising from the standpoint the ‘pen was a strength of the team heading into 2024.
How bad has it been? Well, the bullpen’s ERA actually went down Monday evening in Anaheim when Jacob Waguespack relieved starter Zach Eflin and allowed two earned runs in three innings. The ‘pen entered the 7-1 loss to the Angels with a 7.47 ERA.
What has underscored the group’s ineffectiveness are control issues that are entirely uncharacteristic of the Rays under manager Kevin Cash and pitching coach Kyle Snyder. In 40 1/3 innings through five games, the ‘pen has issued 29 bases on balls. When considering the relievers have also allowed 43 hits, that’s a lot of baserunners as reflected in a WHIP of 1.78.
Cash expressed concern before his team left for Colorado last Thursday for its first road trip of the season.
“Overall, we have to start throwing strikes,” he said. “I think our entire group is capable of throwing more strikes.”
The starting pitchers were not immune. The rotation overall, though, has been solid. It entered the season with a few question marks with Shane McClanahan out for the season as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. It is hoped that Jeffrey Springs (TJ surgery) and Drew Rasmussen (non-TJ elbow procedure), shelved last April and May, respectively, return at some point in the season’s second half. Taj Bradley (pectoral tightness) was sidelined in spring training and could return to the club in May.
Despite all of the injury-related issues, Zach Eflin, who tied for the American League lead in wins (16) last season and has had his ups and downs through his first three starts of 2024, Aaron Civale, Zack Littell, and Ryan Pepiot — Tyler Alexander has one start while also following an opener — have collectively fared well.
Civale heads into Tuesday evening’s assignment in Anaheim having allowed only a pair of solo homers in his first two starts. Littell, a success story after being elevated to the rotation last season, and Pepiot, who came to the Rays in the December deal that sent Tyler Glasnow to the Dodgers and fanned a career-high 11 while not walking a batter in six shutout innings at Colorado on Sunday, have not disappointed.
Anchored by closer Pete Fairbanks and fellow righthanders Jason Adam, Shawn Armstrong and Phil Maton, who signed a one-year deal (2025 club option) at the start of spring training, the bullpen figured to be the Rays’ area of least concern. While that may still be the case, the aforementioned quartet entered Tuesday’s game with a combined 7.64 ERA and 13 walks (none by Adam) in 15 1/3 innings.
The lowlight of the bullpen’s work was Fairbanks’ outing in Denver last Friday afternoon when, in the bottom of the ninth, he walked the bases loaded while clearly displeased with the feel of the baseballs in the mile high conditions. All three runners came home when Adam allowed a game-winning slam to Ryan McMahon.
Not that a lineup missing the injured Josh Lowe and hitting .247 through 11 games has been sparkling.
“We have to get going, there’s no doubt,” said Cash after his team dropped to 5-6 with the loss to the Angels. “Don’t feel like we are playing our best baseball by any stretch right now.”
Certainly, the bullpen has not been at its best. Not even close.