Tampa Bay Rays closer Pete Fairbanks was activated from the 15-day injured list prior to Saturday’s game against the visiting New York Yankees.
Fairbanks hasn’t pitched in a game since April 17 due to nerve-related issues in his pitching hand.
Fairbanks, 30, told reporters that multiple MRI exams didn’t reveal any structural damage in his right arm.
“I was able to figure out some things on the nerve side of things and get the pathways from neck to fingertips kind of back where they needed to be and unencumbered,” Fairbanks told reporters on Saturday. “I feel like myself. I felt like I was starting to get there, despite the results. The stuff was definitely trending where it needed to be, and obviously (I had) a little bit of a setback, but I think we’re right back where we left off.”
Fairbanks was just 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA in eight appearances earlier this season. He had three saves and struck out 10 in seven innings but also walked eight.
Last season, Fairbanks recorded 25 saves while going 2-4 with a 2.58 ERA in 49 appearances.
Overall, Fairbanks is 13-18 with a 3.46 ERA and 43 saves in 176 career appearances (two starts) with the Texas Rangers (2019) and Rays. He has struck out 239 in just 166 2/3 innings.
Tampa Bay optioned right-hander Edwin Uceta to Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move. The 26-year-old was recalled earlier this week and gave up one hit and struck out five in four innings over two scoreless appearances.
–Field Level Media
