Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Pepiot suffered a bruised lower left leg and was placed on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday.
During his recent start on Sunday, Pepiot had to leave the game after being hit on the calf by a line drive from the New York Mets’ Starling Marte, which had a speed of 107.5 mph.
Both Pepiot and Rays manager Kevin Cash believe that his injury won’t keep him out for too long. Cash mentioned, “It’s a smart decision for him. Repeatedly putting weight on that leg in the next few days wouldn’t be wise.”
Pepiot did some light throwing on Wednesday, including simulated mound work on flat ground. He expressed frustration about being placed on the injured list, as he doesn’t want to burden the bullpen.
He hopes to progress to throwing off a mound this weekend or early next week, taking it one day at a time as the swelling in his leg subsides.
Despite falling to the ground immediately after being hit, Pepiot managed to get back up on his own. He was removed from the game after a few warm-up pitches from the mound.
Pepiot has a record of 3-2 with a 3.68 ERA in seven starts this season. He was acquired by the Rays from the Los Angeles Dodgers last December in a trade involving ace Tyler Glasnow.
On a positive note, right-hander Taj Bradley has been reinstated from the 15-day injured list and will start Friday night against the New York Yankees. He had been sidelined for the entire season with a right pectoral strain but performed well in two starts with Triple-A Durham, allowing just one run and two hits over 11 innings.
