Tampa Bay Rays closer Pete Fairbanks (hip) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment on Monday in the Florida Complex League. Fairbanks is expected to make a few rehab appearances before the Rays activate him from the injured list, so fantasy managers can expect him to return to the big leagues by the end of this week, barring any setbacks with his injured hip. The 29-year-old right-hander had a platelet-rich plasma injection in his left hip earlier this month to deal with inflammation. When he's ready to return, Fairbanks should return to Tampa's closing role, meaning he should remain stashed in most fantasy leagues while he rehabs. He has a 1.54 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, five saves and 10 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings in 2023.

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Pete Fairbanks (hip), who is currently on the injured list with left-hip inflammation, will throw to hitters on Friday at the Florida Complex League. How that goes will determine if Fairbanks needs another minor-league rehab outing or if he could return from the injured when eligible on Monday. As long as the 29-year-old right-hander doesn't suffer a setback this weekend on the farm, he should be back for the Rays and fantasy managers next week. He has only appeared in 13 games out of the bullpen in 2023 due to injuries, but he's been great when healthy with a 1.54 ERA (4.23 FIP), five saves, 1.11 WHIP and 10 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings. Jason Adam has been serving as the closer, but Fairbanks should reclaim the role once he returns.

The Tampa Bay Rays have the best record in MLB. They are currently 39-17 and have surprised everyone with how they have played this season. Despite their promising start, they are suddenly confronted with a huge problem.Pete Fairbanks, their closer, was placed on the injured list with left hip inflammation. He suffered the injuryduring warmups on May 28thand is currently placedon the 15-day injured list.Fairbanks'absencemayrequirefantasymanagersto make changes to their lineupandthispiecewilldiscuss thenewcloserfortheAmericanLeagueleaders.https://twitter.com/RaysFanGio/status/1662887067016200201?s=20

Tampa Bay Rays Closing Pitcher

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The Tampa Bay Rays were encouraged by the results of imaging conducted on relief pitcher Pete Fairbanks' hip Tuesday, as no structural damage was revealed. Fairbanks' hip initially "locked up" as he was warming up during Sunday's game, forcing him to the 15-day injured list, according to manager Kevin Cash. The 29-year-old is set to get an injection in an attempt to decrease the inflammation and will not throw for a week. Fairbanks has pitched well this season, serving as co-closer with Jason Adam, who will likely take on a larger role in Fairbanks' absence.

The Tampa Bay Rays placed closer Pete Fairbanks (hip) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to May 28) on Monday with left-hip inflammation and recalled right-hander Trevor Kelley from Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move. Fairbanks heads back to the injured list, but hopefully he'll be able to return for the Rays and fantasy managers when he's eligible on June 12. As the club's primary closer when healthy, the 29-year-old right-hander needs to be stashed in all fantasy leagues. With Fairbanks on the shelf for the second time in the month of May, Jason Adam figures to operate as Tampa's top option for saves yet again. Pick him up if you're in need of saves and he's available on your league's waiver wire.

Tampa Bay Rays right-handed pitcher Pete Fairbanks' hip "locked up" on him while he was warming up in the bullpen during Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Fairbanks was warming up in the pen, presumably to come in for the save opportunity, before he was visited by trainers and walked off under his own power. He is receiving treatment on his hip but manager Kevin Cash told reporters he didn't have an update beyond that. The Rays should provide another update on Fairbanks on Monday.

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Pete Fairbanks earned his fifth save of the season on Monday, getting the last two outs of the game to complete the 6-4 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. He allowed one hit and walked one but avoided any damage. Fairbanks now owns a 1.86 ERA and 1.24 WHIP but with an uncharacteristic 19.0% strikeout rate and 11.9% walk rate. The 29-year-old has the stuff to post some of the most dominant numbers in baseball and ended 2022 with a 40.2 K-BB%, so fantasy managers should keep him in their starting lineup as he continues to be the main ninth-inning option in Tampa.

The Tampa Bay Rays reinstated closer Pete Fairbanks (forearm) from the 15-day injured list on Monday and optioned right-hander Chris Muller to Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move. Fairbanks only needed one minor-league rehab outing before returning from the injured list, and he'll be available for Tampa's next game on Tuesday against the New York Mets. The 29-year-old right-hander should immediately return to his closing duties for one of the best team's in baseball, so he needs to be rostered in all fantasy formats. Before landing on the injured list, Fairbanks had three saves, a 0.00 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and six strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings pitched over eight appearances out of the bullpen.

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Pete Fairbanks (forearm) made his first minor-league rehab appearance for Triple-A Durham on Friday night and allowed a run on one hit while walking none and striking out two in two-thirds of an inning. Fairbanks threw two wild pitches as well in his 23-pitch outing. As long as the 29-year-old right-hander doesn't have any setbacks, he's fully expected to come off the injured list when eligible on Tuesday, May 16. He had picked up three saves while striking out six in 7 2/3 scoreless innings in his first eight relief appearances for the Rays, and Fairbanks will return to his closing role in Tampa when he comes off the IL. Until then, expect Jason Adam to get any save opportunities that come up.

Tampa Bay Rays reliever Pete Fairbanks (forearm) landed on the 15-day injured list on May 3 with forearm inflammation. However, the right-hander expects to be back as soon as he's eligible on May 15. It's great news for the Rays and fantasy managers, as Fairbanks has yet to allow a run in 7.2 innings of work and has collected three saves. His 19.4% strikeout rate and 12.9% walk rate are not close to the marks he owned in 2022 (43.7% strikeout rate and 3.4% walk rate), but he has the stuff to once again be one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball when he returns.

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Pete Fairbanks (forearm) has landed on the 15-day injured list due to right forearm inflammation. The move is retroactive to April 30 while Chase Anderson, who the club traded for on Wednesday, has been selected from the minors. It's obviously a tough blow for the Rays as Fairbanks has pitched 7 2/3 innings of scoreless ball so far this season despite producing a 6.5% K-BB% that is well below the monstrous 40.2% clip he posted in 24 appearances last season. Any issue with the forearm is obviously a notable concern, especially for Fairbanks who has already undergone a pair of Tommy John surgeries in his pro career. It's the second straight season Fairbanks has dealt with injury issues after throwing just 24 innings a season ago.

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said that closer Pete Fairbanks' Raynaud's syndrome flared up during his outing on Friday against the Chicago White Sox while pitching in the cold, which is why he was removed from his outing. It impacted his grip on the baseball and he lost circulation in his fingers. The Rays will come up with something to keep Fairbanks' fingers warm moving forward. The 29-year-old still picked up a hold while walking one and striking out one in two-thirds of an inning before Kevin Kelly entered the game to close things out and earn his first save in the 3-2 win over the White Sox. It doesn't appear to be a serious condition for Fairbanks, so fantasy managers shouldn't worry too much at this time.

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Pete Fairbanks pitched a clean ninth inning to pick up his third save of the season in a 4-1 win over the Chicago White Sox. With 19 wins you'd think the Rays primary closer would have more than three saves, but they've been blowing out teams or winning walk-off style lately. When he's gotten into games though, he's delivered, pitching to a 0.00 ERA and 0.86 WHIP over 7 IP. It appears as though he'll get most of Tampa Bay's saves, although you never know with the Rays.

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Pete Fairbanks picked up his second save of the season, beating Boston 9-7 on Wednesday. Fairbanks worked a scoreless ninth inning and carried Tampa Bay to their 12th consecutive win. The right-handed pitcher hasn't allowed a run in four innings while giving up just two hits. He's yet to walk a batter, and he's collected two strikeouts. The 29-year-old is an excellent fantasy option for a closing pitcher, especially if the Rays continue this historic run.

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Pete Fairbanks picked up the team's first save of the season in Monday's 1-0 win over the Red Sox. Fairbanks came in to pitch the top of the ninth inning to end the game and delivered a 1-2-3 inning with a strikeout. The Rays have yet to lose a game, but this was their first save opportunity. Fairbanks has had a solid career and was considered one of the team's lead options for saves, but the Rays are notorious for mixing their bullpen usage. He has yet to allow a run in three appearances, although he does just have one strikeout.

The Tampa Bay Rays and reliever Pete Fairbanks agreed to a three-year, $12 million contract extension on Friday, according to sources. The deal includes a fourth-year team option and comes off a year in which Fairbanks tossed 22 scoreless innings. The 29-year-old right-hander avoids his remaining arbitration-eligible years with the deal, and his fourth-year option will be worth $7 million. While injuries were a problem for him in 2022, he allowed just three earned runs on 13 hits while walking three and striking out 38 in his 24 relief innings for the Rays. Despite his injury last year, Fairbanks should enter the 2023 season with plenty of fantasy appeal as the current favorite for save chances in Tampa alongside Jason Adam.

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Pete Fairbanks (hand) was removed during Saturday's Wild Card game against the Cleveland Guardians. The right-hander was pulled after issuing two straight walks in the sixth inning. The 28-year-old explained that he couldn't feel his fingers. The organization is hopeful that it's only a minor circulation issue. Hopefully he'll be able to fully recover and be ready for the beginning of spring training next season.

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Pete Fairbanks picked up his fifth save of the season in Monday's 4-3 win over the Red Sox. Fairbanks got the call to close things out with a one-run lead. He allowed a leadoff single, got the first out on a strikeout, and then got the second out on a force at second but the hitter advanced to second on a throwing error. Despite the error, Fairbanks was able to strand the tying run at second by striking out Xander Bogaerts to end the game. Fairbanks has been one of the Rays' strong bullpen arms this season, compiling a 1.53 ERA and 13.25 K/9 rate in 17 2/3 innings pitched. This makes him worth a look in deep roto leagues, but the Rays' committee use of their bullpen limits his fantasy value.

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Pete Fairbanks struck out one across a perfect inning to earn the save during Saturday's 5-2 win over the Kansas City Royals. He entered Saturday's game in the ninth inning to protect a three-run lead. The 28-year-old needed 11 pitches to secure his third save of the season. Fairbanks has been on fire recently and hasn't allowed a run since July 22. The Rays right-hander owns a 2.31 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and a 16: 1 K: BB across 11 2/3 innings in 2022. Fairbanks is a speculative add in most standard 5x5 leagues and continues to be one of Tampa Bay's top setup men in 2022.

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Pete Fairbanks allowed two hits while striking out two across a scoreless inning to earn the save during Saturday's 6-4 win over the Cleveland Guardians. He entered the game in the ninth inning to protect a two-run lead. The 28-year-old allowed a pair of base runners before striking out Jose Ramirez to end the game. He has now recorded a save in back-to-back opportunities. The right-hander is 2-for-2 in save chances, posting a 5.40 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and six strikeouts over five innings. Fairbanks has recently been the Rays' primary closer and should see the bulk of the Rays' saves chances the rest of the season. Fantasy managers searching for saves should add Fairbanks in all league formats.