Tyler Alexander, Colin Poche Non-Tendered By Tampa Bay
According to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, the Tampa Bay Rays have non-tendered relief pitchers Tyler Alexander and Colin Poche. Alexander operated as both a starter and a reliever last summer and held a 5.10 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP across 107 2/3 innings of work. Under the hood, he carried a poor 4.68 xERA and 32.1% ground ball rate. Poche operated as a high-leverage option out of the bullpen over the past few seasons in Tampa Bay. Last summer, he took a slight step back as he posted a 3.68 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP compared to his stellar 2.23 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP he held in 2023. Fantasy managers should expect Poche to find a new club and continue to operate as a high-leverage option and could eventually mix in for save opportunities depending on his new situation. Alexander will likely find a new home in another bullpen but could see occasional starts.
The Tampa Bay Rays reinstated left-hander Colin Poche (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list on Monday and optioned right-hander Cole Sulser to Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move. Inflammation in Poche's left shoulder has kept him out in September to this point, but he will skip a minor-league rehab assignment and return to Tampa's big-league bullpen to close out the 2024 season. The 30-year-old southpaw will return to a 1-2 record, 3.67 ERA (5.15 FIP), a 1.14 WHIP, two saves, 31 strikeouts and 13 walks in his 34 1/3 relief innings in 2024 over 39 appearances. The Rays are currently rolling with a closer-by-committee approach involving Edwin Uceta, Manuel Rodriguez and Richard Lovelady late in the year, and Poche could enter that mix now that he's healthy. Fantasy managers desperate for saves this late in the game could take a flier on Poche in deep leagues.
Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Colin Poche (back) joined Triple-A Durham for a minor-league rehab assignment on Sunday after he felt good during a 15-pitch bullpen session on May 22. Manager Kevin Cash said Poche will likely need a few rehab appearances before he's ready to join the big-league bullpen in Tampa. The left-hander went on the injured list on April 26 (retroactive to April 24) with a mid-back issue that prevented him from feeling fully comfortable on the mound. The 30-year-old received an injection in his back, which came before a few days of rest, and he needed a second cortisone-type injection in early May. Poche had a career-best 2.23 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with a save in 66 relief outings for the Rays in 2023 but had allowed seven earned runs on 12 hits (three homers) in 9 1/3 innings this year before landing on the IL.
Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Colin Poche (back) has resumed baseball activities, but it's still uncertain how long he's going to be sidelined. The left-hander landed on the injured list in late April due to back tightness. He received an injection in his back and needed a second cortisone-type shot in early May. The fact the Rays went out and acquired left-hander Richard Lovelady suggests that Poche won't be ready anytime soon. Peter Fairbanks, Garrett Cleavinger, and Jason Adam figure to be the primary late game options for the Rays right now.
Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Colin Poche (back) threw on flat ground at Tropicana Field on Sunday and was scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Monday. Poche went on the injured list on April 26 with mid-back tightness that had been preventing him from feeling fully comfortable on the mound. He received an injection in his back, which came before a few days of rest. The 30-year-old southpaw should be able to return in the middle of May as long as he doesn't have any setbacks. Poche won a career-high 12 games last year for the Rays and had a 2.23 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with a save. He has a 6.75 ERA and 1.61 WHIP in his first 9 1/3 relief innings so far in 2024, but he also has two saves and could be in the picture for saves, depending on when Pete Fairbanks (hand) is able to return.
Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Colin Poche (back) has been placed on the 15-day injured list on Friday. The move is retroactive to April 24th with Poche dealing with back tightness. The organization has not given a timetable for how long Poche will be sidelined. This is a hit to the Rays bullpen with Pete Fairbanks already sidelined as well. The loss of these two pitchers should mean increased save chances for Jason Adam and Garrett Cleavinger.
Tampa Bay Rays reliever Colin Poche picked up his second save of the year in Thursday's 2-1 victory over the visiting Los Angeles Angels by tossing a scoreless ninth inning with a strikeout. It wasn't perfect, though, as he did allow two hits. The 30-year-old got the save opportunity in the series finale after regular closer Pete Fairbanks tossed 28 pitches in a save attempt on Wednesday. The left-handed Pache gave up four runs in his first three outings of the 2024 campaign, but since then he hasn't given up a run in five straight appearances out of Tampa's bullpen. As long as Fairbanks and Jason Adam remain healthy, Poche isn't going to see very many save chances for the Rays.
Who Is the Rays Closer With Pete Fairbanks Out? Fantasy Baseball Saves Outlook
The Tampa Bay Rays have the best record in MLB. They are currently 39-17 and have surprised everyone with how they have played this season. Despite their promising start, they are suddenly confronted with a huge problem. Pete Fairbanks, their closer, was placed on the injured list with left hip inflammation. He suffered the injury during warmups on May 28th and is currently placed on the 15-day injured list. Fairbanks' absence may require fantasy managers to make changes to their lineup and this piece will discuss the new closer for the American League leaders. https://twitter.com/RaysFanGio/status/1662887067016200201?s=20 Tampa Bay Rays Closing Pitcher Since Pete Fairbanks has been placed on the injured list, Jason Adam has taken his place as the Tampa Bay Rays' new closer. Behind Adam are Colin Poche and Kevin Kelly for the closer role respectively, and they will hope to contribute to the franchise's success. Fairbanks had a 0-1 record with a 1.54 ERA, 10 strikeouts, and five saves in 13 outings this season before getting hurt. He will be difficult to replace until he is back healthy, but Adam did an excellent job in sealing the 11-10 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. The new Rays closer pitched two innings in the game against Dodgers on May 28th, in which he recorded no hits and had four Ks to finish the job against a great team. https://twitter.com/espn/status/1647700291821682688?s=20 Rays Closing Pitcher Fantasy Outlook Fantasy managers should consider adding Jason Adam to their lineups because he could be useful in the games until Fairbanks returns. In 24 appearances this season, the 31-year-old closer has a 3.22 ERA, 30 strikeouts, and seven saves. The Rays' primary closer is expected to return around June 12th. In the meantime, the team will face the Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox, Minnesota Twins, and Texas Rangers. The games aren't easy, but based on what we've seen so far, Adam may rack up points for fantasy managers. https://twitter.com/MLBONFOX/status/1657848535289835520?s=20
Tampa Bay Rays reliever Colin Poche allowed one walk over 2/3 of an inning to earn the save during Thursday's 6-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. He entered the game with the bases loaded in the ninth inning to protect a three-run lead. The 29-year-old walked Bo Bichette but got the next two batters out to secure the Rays' win. He picked up his first save of the year. Poche has logged six holds, a 1.56 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and 11 strikeouts over 17 1/3 innings in 2023. Poche is mainly an option in leagues that reward the category saves and holds.
Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Colin Poche picked up his fifth save of the season in Tuesday's 5-4 win over the Yankees. Poche came in to pitch the ninth inning with a three-run lead. He walked the first batter, got the next two hitters out on a strikeout and ground out, gave up a two-run home run, and got the final out on a fly-out. The Rays have always had an unclear approach to closing games, and that is even more true with Andrew Kittredge (elbow) on the 60-day injured list. Poche may have to contend with Jason Adam (who pitched the eighth inning) and Brooks Raley (who pitched in the seventh inning) for save opportunities, but he has pitched well overall, compiling a 2.01 ERA with only one blown save in 22 1/3 innings pitched. Poche is worth a look in all deeper roto leagues at this time.
