Rays place Shane Baz on IL with elbow sprain

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane Baz Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports

Rays place SP Shane Baz on 15-day IL with right elbow sprain

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 7/14/22

After missing the first two months of the 2022 season, Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane Baz returned to the rotation in mid-June. Only one month, and six starts later, the righty is being sidelined by injury again.

The Rays have placed RH Shane Baz (right elbow sprain) on the 15-day IL, retroactive to July 13, and recalled RH Luke Bard from Triple-A Durham.

Baz was evaluated today by Dr. Keith Meister in Dallas. He will receive an injection, rest and rehab for at least the next four weeks.
— Rays Communications (@RaysPR) July 14, 2022

Per #Rays: “Baz experienced right elbow discomfort while playing catch on Tuesday. He was evaluated today by Dr. Keith Meister in Dallas. He will receive an injection, rest and rehab for at least the next four weeks.”
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) July 14, 2022

This is the latest injury news in a string of troubles for Baz, as the 23-year-old has been unable to get going with his major league career, despite being one of the Rays' most promising arms.

Baz was selected 12th overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2017 MLB June Amateur Draft, before being traded to Tampa Bay during the summer of 2018 along with fellow electric hurler Tyler Glasnow and slugging outfielder Austin Meadows in exchange for two-time All-Star starting pitcher Chris Archer. At the time of the trade, Glasnow was a struggling member of the Pirates' staff and Meadows was only in his first big league season, but both players had loads of potential, having been former fifth- and first-round draft picks, respectively.

Baz meanwhile, made his big league debut in September 2021 and went 2-0 with a 2.03 ERA, 0.67 WHIP and 18 strikeouts across 13 1/3 innings covering three starts last season. He's gone 1-2 with a 5.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 30 strikeouts in 27 innings pitched over his six outings in 2022.

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