Kozport Magazine
Rays’ Poche Returns to Action, Lovelady Replaced on IL
Kozport Magazine – The Tampa Bay Rays have made some roster moves ahead of their upcoming series against the Baltimore Orioles. Left-hander Colin Poche has been activated from the injured list while fellow lefty Richard Lovelady has been placed on the IL.
Poche, who was dealing with mid-back tightness, last pitched on April 23 and has since been on the sidelines. The 30-year-old has a 6.75 ERA with 3 walks and 6 strikeouts in 9⅓ innings over 10 relief appearances this season.
In a corresponding move, Lovelady has been sidelined due to a left forearm flexor strain. The 28-year-old has made 8 relief appearances for the Rays this season, posting a 7.36 ERA with 1 walk and 6 strikeouts.
Manager Kevin Cash stated that Poche was scheduled for an appearance this weekend before his return to the major league roster. He also mentioned that the left-hander has recently completed rehab assignments with Triple-A Durham.
Poche has been a reliable arm out of the bullpen for the Rays since joining the team in 2019. He has a record of 21-11 with 12 saves and a 3.74 ERA in 192 relief appearances.
Meanwhile, Lovelady was acquired by the Rays from the Chicago Cubs in May in exchange for minor league pitcher Jeff Belge. Lovelady has struggled this season, with a 7.36 ERA in 7⅓ innings with the Rays and a 7.94 ERA in 5⅔ innings with the Cubs.
With these moves, the Rays are hoping to strengthen their bullpen for the remainder of the season. Both Poche and Lovelady have proven to be valuable assets in the past, and the team is counting on them to contribute to their success.
Kozport Magazine’s Take
The Rays’ roster shuffle brings back a familiar face in Colin Poche, who has been a key contributor to their bullpen in recent years. While the left-hander has had a slow start to the season, the team is confident in his abilities to bounce back.
On the other hand, the loss of Richard Lovelady to the IL is a blow to the Rays’ pitching depth. The 28-year-old will be missed, but the team will have to make do with other options until he is ready to return.
the Rays are making necessary adjustments to their roster as they continue their push for a playoff spot. Time will tell if these moves pay off, but fans can be assured that the team is doing everything they can to stay competitive.
