Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Ryan Pepiot might return to the rotation late this week after being hospitalized last month for a knee infection, which is believed to have been caused by a spider bite during the All-Star break.
Pepiot was admitted to Columbia University Medical Center in New York and was given antibiotics for his right knee after being placed on the 15-day injured list on July 19.
Pepiot had some bug bites while playing golf during the break but traveled for a series against the New York Yankees.
The swelling in his knee became so severe that he needed assistance to walk into the hospital.
“The first couple days, like, when I went into the hospital, it was real bad,” Pepiot said before Monday night’s game with Houston. “I couldn’t put any weight on my right leg.
The first few days it was pretty swollen, a lot of fluid, and it was kind of slushy.”
Pepiot mentioned that the swelling has decreased, which has allowed him to get back on the mound.
The 26-year-old right-hander, Pepiot is 6-5 with a 3.92 ERA in 17 starts. He was acquired from the Dodgers in December as part of the trade that sent right-hander Tyler Glasnow to Los Angeles.
Pepiot last pitched for the Rays on July 14, where he threw six innings of two-hit ball in a 2-0 win over Cleveland. He started for Double-A Montgomery on Saturday and rejoined the Rays on Sunday to continue his workouts.
He will be adjusting his golfing attire and will wear pants instead of shorts.
“I’ll be wearing pants whenever I, like, do something outside,” Pepiot said. “When I play golf, I get the scenic view of the golf course.”
