Rays left-hander Cody Reed underwent surgery to correct thoracic outlet syndrome today, reports Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times (Twitter link). He will miss the rest of the 2021 season but is expected to be ready by the outset of next year’s Spring Training.
Tampa Bay acquired the former Reds top prospect from Cincinnati last August. He only made two appearances down the stretch because of a finger issue. Reed returned to pitch twelve times this season before numbness in his thumb sent him to the 60-day injured list and eventually led to today’s procedure. He allowed five runs (four earned) in 9 2/3 innings this year, only striking out seven while walking six.
Losing Reed is yet another blow to a Rays bullpen that has been without a few key contributors over the season’s first two months. None of Nick Anderson, Oliver Drake, Jalen Beeks or Colin Poche have pitched this year, while Chaz Roe has been out since April 3 with a shoulder issue. Roe is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham tomorrow, Topkin reports (Twitter link).
It’s good to hear the 28-year-old Reed is expected back at full strength in 2022, although it’s not clear he’ll survive the winter on Tampa Bay’s roster. Reed will accrue a full year of MLB service this year as he recovers, and he’ll be eligible for arbitration for the first time this offseason. Given the injury-wrecked platform year and his career 5.22 ERA, Reed’s projected arbitration cost surely won’t be exorbitant. Still, he’s never really found consistent success at the major league level and is out of minor league option years. Players have to be reinstated from the 60-day IL at the beginning of the offseason, so the Rays will have to carry him on the 40-man roster all winter or risk losing him to another club.
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