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Jeffrey Springs

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Jeffrey Springs
Springs with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2023
Tampa Bay Rays – No. 59
Pitcher
Born: (1992-09-20) September 20, 1992 (age 32)
Belmont, North Carolina, U.S.
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
MLB debut
July 31, 2018, for the Texas Rangers
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Win–loss record23–12
Earned run average3.39
Strikeouts359
Teams

Jeffrey Scott Springs (born September 20, 1992) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox.

Career

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Springs attended South Point High School in Belmont, North Carolina.[1] He attended Appalachian State University, pursuing a degree in management and played college baseball for the Mountaineers for four years (2012–2015).[2] Springs was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 30th round of the 2015 MLB Draft and signed with them for a $1,000 signing bonus.[3]

Texas Rangers

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After signing, Springs split the season between the Spokane Indians and Hickory Crawdads.[4][5] He posted a combined 2–2 record with a 2.61 ERA in 31 innings.[6] He split the 2016 season between two levels, with the Hickory Crawdads going 1–1 with a 1.16 ERA in 18 games and struggling in a promotion to the High Desert Mavericks, going 2–2 with a 5.36 ERA in 13 games (9 starts}.[7] Springs spent 2017 with the Down East Wood Ducks, going 2–8 with a 3.69 ERA with 146 strikeouts in 112+13 innings in 31 games (17 starts).[6][8] Springs opened the 2018 season with the Frisco RoughRiders of the Texas League, producing a 3–2 record with a 4.82 ERA in 37+13 innings.[6] Springs was promoted to the Round Rock Express of the Pacific Coast League, producing a 1–2 record with a 2.79 ERA in 19.1 innings.[6][9]

Springs was promoted to the major leagues for the first time on July 31, 2018 and made his major league debut that night, striking out A.J. Pollock for his first major league strikeout.[10][11] Springs finished his rookie season after producing a 1–1 record with a 3.38 ERA in 32 major league innings.[12] In 2019, Springs made the Rangers opening day roster.[13] Springs missed close to two months due to left biceps tendinitis.[14] He finished the 2019 season going 4–1 with a 6.40 ERA over 32+13 innings for Texas.[15]

On December 2, 2019, Springs was designated for assignment.[15] On December 13, Springs re-signed with Texas on a one-year major league contract.[16]

Boston Red Sox

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On January 15, 2020, Springs was traded to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Sam Travis.[17] On March 26, the team optioned Springs to the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox.[18] Springs made his debut with Boston in the team's fourth game of the delayed-start 2020 season, allowing five runs on four hits and a walk in 1+13 innings of relief against the New York Mets on July 27.[19] He was optioned to and from the team's alternate training site during August and September.[20][21] Overall with the 2020 Red Sox, Springs appeared in 16 games, all in relief, compiling an 0–2 record with 7.08 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 20+13 innings pitched.[22] On February 16, 2021, Springs was designated for assignment by Boston following the signing of Hirokazu Sawamura.[23]

Tampa Bay Rays

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On February 17, 2021, the Red Sox traded Springs and Chris Mazza to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Ronaldo Hernández and Nick Sogard.[24] He made a career-high 43 appearances for Tampa Bay in 2021, pitching to a 5-1 record and 3.43 ERA with 63 strikeouts in 44+23 innings of work. On August 16, Springs underwent season-ending surgery to repair an ACL tear in his right knee and was placed on the 60-day injured list.[25]

Springs made 33 appearances (25 of them starts) for the Rays in 2022, posting a 9-5 record and career-best 2.46 ERA while striking out 144 in 135+13 innings pitched. On June 4, 2022, Springs, along with 4 other Rays teammates, opted out of wearing a Rays team logo and cap in support of LGBTQ+ Pride, during the team's annual Pride Night celebration at Tropicana Field.[26]

On January 25, 2023, Springs agreed to a four-year, $31 million contract extension with the Rays.[27] On April 13, Springs exited the set after left arm ulnar neuritis. He was placed on the 10-day injured list due to ulnar inflammation. On April 22, it was revealed that Springs would undergo Tommy John surgery, which prematurely ended his 2023 season.

On July 28, 2024, Springs was activated from the injured list to make his return from surgery.[28]

References

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  1. ^ Richard Walker (July 31, 2018). "Former South Point standout Jeffrey Springs promoted to the major leagues". The Gaston Gazette. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
  2. ^ "Texas Rangers Call Up App State Alum Jeffrey Springs". Appalachian State Mountaineers baseball. July 31, 2018. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
  3. ^ Bret Strelow (July 31, 2018). "Mountaineer alum Jeffrey Springs (LHP) promoted to Texas Rangers". Blowing Rock News. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
  4. ^ Mark Parker (May 25, 2011). "Red Raiders win pitcher's duel, eliminate Hickory". Hickory Daily Record. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
  5. ^ Richard Walker (June 11, 2015). "Headed for Spokane: Springs realizes his lifelong MLB dream". The Gaston Gazette. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
  6. ^ a b c d "Jeffrey Springs Player Page". MLB.com. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
  7. ^ Mark Parker (January 10, 2019). "App State alum, former Crawdad reflects on first big league call-up and 2019 goals". Hickory Daily Record. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
  8. ^ Dominic Cotroneo (July 31, 2018). "Former DEWD Jeffrey Springs Promoted to the Rangers". MiLB.com. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
  9. ^ Staff reports (June 22, 2018). "Former App State pitcher closes in on big leagues". Watauga Democrat. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
  10. ^ RotoWire Staff (July 31, 2018). "Rangers' Jeffrey Springs: Contract purchased from minors". CBSSports.com. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  11. ^ Fraley, Gerry (August 3, 2018). "How Rangers' pitcher Jeffrey Springs beat long odds as 888th pick in 2015 draft to earn his MLB call-up". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  12. ^ Levi Weaver (December 20, 2018). "A big change: how an Appalachian State Senior with a 5.10 ERA made it to the big leagues in three years". The Athletic. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
  13. ^ RotoWire Staff (March 21, 2019). "Rangers' Jeffrey Springs: Earns Opening Day spot". CBSSports.com. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  14. ^ RotoWire Staff (September 1, 2019). "Rangers' Jeffrey Springs: Activated from injury list". CBSSports.com. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  15. ^ a b "RHP Jimmy Herget acquired on waiver claim from Cincinnati". MLB.com. December 2, 2019. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  16. ^ "Rangers finish $16M. 2-year deal with pitcher Jordan Lyles". Associated Press. December 13, 2019. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
  17. ^ Hewitt, Steve (January 15, 2020). "Red Sox trade Sam Travis to Rangers for LHP Jeffrey Springs". Boston Herald.
  18. ^ "Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions". MLB.com. March 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  19. ^ "Mets vs. Red Sox". ESPN.com. July 27, 2020. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  20. ^ "Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions". MLB.com. August 2020. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  21. ^ "Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions". MLB.com. September 2020. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  22. ^ "Jeffrey Springs Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
  23. ^ Adams, Steve (February 16, 2021). "Red Sox Sign Hirokazu Sawamura, Designate Jeffrey Springs". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  24. ^ Adams, Steve (February 17, 2021). "Rays Acquire Chris Mazza, Jeffrey Springs From Red Sox". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
  25. ^ "Rays' Jeffrey Springs: Done for season".
  26. ^ "Most, but not all, Rays show their LGBTQ+ support". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  27. ^ "Rays, lefty Jeffrey Springs reach 4-year, $31 million extension". espn.com. January 25, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  28. ^ "Padres To Acquire Jason Adam From Rays". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
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