MLB Weekly Digest April 24th Edition: Springs to Undergo Surgery

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The prior week in MLB was about a starting pitcher in the American League who will undergo surgery, a young pitcher in the National League has agreed to a contract extension, and an outfielder could return to the field sooner than expected.

Tampa Bay Rays Starting Pitcher Jeffrey Springs Will Undergo Tommy John Surgery

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Jeffrey Springs will undergo Tommy John surgery today and be out into the 2024 season, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.

#Rays Cash makes it official: Springs will undergo Tommy John surgery on Monday and be out until into the 2024 season

— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) April 22, 2023

The club had placed Springs on the injured list last week with a left elbow flexor strain.

The typical recovery period for an individual who undergoes this procedure is 12-15 months.

The Rays losing Springs for the rest of the 2023 season is monumental as he started the season strong.

He posted a 0.56 ERA in 16 innings pitched (three starts) with 24 strikeouts, four walks issued, one home run allowed, a 1.92 FIP, and 0.50 WHIP.

The left-handed pitcher was solid for the Rays during the 2022 campaign.

He posted a 2.46 ERA in 135 1/3 innings pitched (25 starts) with 144 strikeouts, 31 walks yielded, 14 home runs surrendered, a 3.04 FIP, and a 1.07 WHIP.

Springs was building off the success from the 2022 season and could have had a fantastic 2023 campaign with the Rays.

Hopefully, Springs does not encounter any setbacks in the recovery process and will be able to pitch for the Rays next year.

Cincinnati Reds Sign Starting Pitcher Hunter Greene to Six-Year Extension

The Cincinnati Reds have made a significant commitment to their future by signing starting pitcher Hunter Greene to a six-year extension, per a team announcement.

🚨 HG EXTENDED 🚨#Reds RHP Hunter Greene has signed a 6-year contract extension through 2028, with a club option for 2029. pic.twitter.com/gYSn7BTwGg

— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) April 18, 2023

The contract extension is worth $53 million.

The deal starts this season and includes a $21 million club option for 2029 with a $2 million buyout, per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.

Here’s the breakdown of Hunter Greene’s extension, per source:

$2 million signing bonus
2023: $1 million
2024: $3 million
2025: $6 million
2026: $8 million
2027: $15 million
2028: $16 million
2029: $21 million club option; $2 million buyout

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) April 18, 2023

The contract also contains an escalator clause that can increase the total value to $96.2 million, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

If he hits every target Greene can actually make $96.2M https://t.co/i6JInFOrqG

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) April 18, 2023

Greene was the second overall pick by the Reds in the 2017 MLB Draft and quickly rose through their minor league system as a top pitching prospect.

The right-handed pitcher has pitched well this season for the Reds.

He has compiled a 4.24 ERA in 17 innings pitched (four starts) with 24 strikeouts, six walks issued, one home run allowed, a 115 ERA+, 2.54 FIP, and 1.52 WHIP.

The Reds expect Greene to get better incrementally and eventually be the ace of their starting rotation.

The club made a wise decision by signing him to a six-year extension.

Philadelphia Phillies Outfielder Bryce Harper Could Return in Early May

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper is known for recovering quickly from injuries and might return to the field sooner than anticipated.

Harper underwent Tommy John surgery in the offseason and could return to the club in early May.

He has a scheduled doctor’s appointment at the beginning of May and will find out if an early return is possible.

Harper was not expected to return to the team until July as their designated hitter, and possibly play the outfield near the end of the season.

However, he has recovered quicker than expected, as he took reps at first base about a week ago.

If Harper gets clearance from the doctor to rejoin the club, it would be a significant boost to a Phillies team currently fourth in the National League East.

About Post Author

Chris Lacey

Chris is a 29-year old New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.

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