Rays' Andrew Kittredge likely headed for surgery, out at least one month

Kittredge was originally placed on the 15-day IL on May 22 due to lower back tightness and was activated on Sunday. He pitched one scoreless inning after being activated before being charged with a blown save on Tuesday against the St. Louis Cardinals.

In his sixth MLB season, Kittredge currently leads all Tampa Bay hurlers in games finished (nine) and saves (five) this year, while registering a 3-1 record, 3.15 ERA and 0.85 WHIP. The 32-year-old led the squad with 57 appearances last season (four starts) and went 9-3 with a 1.88 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 77 strikeouts in 71 2/3 innings pitched on his way to an All-Star selection.

The Rays enter play Thursday tied with the Toronto Blue Jays for second place in the AL East at 33-23 and are seven games behind the first-place New York Yankees.