Rays southpaw Colin Poche out for 2020 due to torn UCL

Tampa Bay Rays reliever Colin Poche will miss the pandemic-shortened 2020 season on the injured list.

As noted by ESPN, the Rays confirmed on Tuesday that the 26-year-old southpaw was diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament. ESPN added that Tommy John surgery is recommended.

That operation likely would sideline Poche for all of the 2021 season if that campaign begins, as hoped, next April.

Last season, Poche pitched 51.2 innings in 51 games. He finished the campaign with a 4.70 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 72 total strikeouts, and 12.5 strikeouts per nine innings.

The Rays replaced Poche on the roster with catcher Kevan Smith.