Rays Lose Key Bullpen Arm to Back Injury

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Rays Lose Key Bullpen Arm to Back Injury

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Michael Sakuraba | Last updated May 18, 2026 5:03 PM ET

The Tampa Bay Rays have had the best record in the American League this year, and a lot of that success can be attributed to their pitching. On Monday, a key member of the bullpen was placed on the injured list with a lower back strain, retroactive to May 15th.

Cole Sulser has been one of the most consistent arms for the Rays this year. The high-leverage specialist has made 18 appearances for the team this season, posting a 3.68 ERA and 1.364 WHIP across 22.0 innings of work. Sulser has also contributed a pair of saves to what has been one of the league's more dominant committees. Multiple pitchers have contributed to Tampa Bay's MLB-leading 20 saves for the season.

The Rays have placed reliever Cole Sulser on the 15-day IL with a lower back strain.

RHP Chase Solesky from Triple-A Durham.

Additionally, RHP Joe Boyle (right elbow strain) was reinstated from the 15-day IL and optioned to Durham.
— Ryan Bass (@Ry_Bass) May 18, 2026

Sulser last appeared for the Rays on May 13th against the Toronto Blue Jays, when he pitched 1.1 innings of scoreless ball. The eight-year veteran is in his third season with the Rays and in his second stint with the team. After being initially drafted by the Cleveland Guardians in 2013, Sulser was traded to the Rays as part of a three-team trade in 2018. That trade also saw Edwin Encarnacion get sent to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Carlos Santana, who went to Cleveland. The Rays acquired Yandy Diaz, who remains on the team to this day.

In a corresponding move, the Rays recalled starter Chase Solesky from Triple-A Durham. The Rays also optioned pitcher Joe Boyle to Durham after activating him from the injured list. Boyle has been sidelined since April 11th with a right elbow strain.

Since being acquired in 2024, Rays RHP Cole Sulser has allowed just 13 runs (11 earned runs) in 61.1 innings pitched

He has a career 263 ERA+ and 0.8 fWAR with Tampa Bay #RaysUp pic.twitter.com/toVC7kGsgW
— SleeperRays (@SleeperRays) May 7, 2026

Sulser joins both Edwin Uceta and Steven Matz on the Rays' injured list, with no clear timetable for his return. The injury comes during a pivotal period for the Rays, who will have back-to-back series against division rivals this week, including a crucial matchup against the second-place New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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