Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash announced Friday that closer Brad Boxberger is expected to miss eight weeks after undergoing core muscle surgery in what is an enormous blow to the MLB club.
Boxberger, 27, served as the team's closer in 2015 and finished with a 3.71 ERA, 41 saves and 74 strikeouts in 69 games (63 innings). The right-hander was expected to assume even more responsibility in the back end of the bullpen after the Rays traded lefty Jake McGee to the Colorado Rockies in exchange for outfielder Corey Dickerson.
Cash said the club will fill Boxberger's role internally, but he would not officially anoint a closer just yet.
#Rays RHP Brad Boxberger underwent surgery to repair a core muscle yesterday. He is expected to miss about 8 weeks.
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) March 18, 2016
Manager Kevin Cash said he does not plan to name a closer in Boxberger's absence, but he likes his options. #Rays
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) March 18, 2016
At this point it's totally up in the air as to whom will replace Boxberger. The Rays acquired reliever Danny Farquhar from the Seattle Mariners earlier this offseason and he has some experience in the closer role, but he also recorded a 5.12 ERA in 43 appearances (51 innings) last season. However, he's allowed just one earned run on four hits and three walks in four appearances (five innings) this spring.
Fellow relievers Alex Colome, Steve Geltz and Xavier Cedeno could also get a shot at some save opportunities.
Another name to look out for is Mark Sappington. The 25-year-old has yet to give up a run this spring in five games (5-2/3 innings) and has allowed just four hits and two walks. However, the right-handed reliever has yet to make an appearance above Double-A in his professional career, and in 48 games last year he wasn't awfully impressive (3-6, 3.69 ERA, four saves and 71 strikeouts).
Then again, the Rays are not afraid to give their young prospects a shot, and if Sappington continues to turn heads during spring training, he could be a candidate to make the Opening Day roster, assuming the front office doesn't find a way to bolster the unit on the trade market.
Whatever the case, the Rays will need Boxberger back as soon as possible if they hope to contend in the AL East this upcoming season.
