Tampa Bay Rays relief ace Nick Anderson has suffered a partially torn elbow ligament and is expected to be out until after the All-Star break, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Anderson will not require surgery to fix the issue, according to Topkin. He'll rest for the next eight weeks.
He's struggled in spring training, posting a 7.36 ERA and 1.91 WHIP over four Grapefruit League outings. Anderson gave up four hits during his most recent appearance on Wednesday, and his velocity was down significantly. Afterward, the 30-year-old revealed he experienced some elbow tightness during the previous week.
"Obviously if I would have come out and I was 94-95 (mph) I would have been happier for sure," Anderson told Topkin on Wednesday. "I was a little disappointed that the (velocity) was there (at 90-91). But I'm not throwing max effort and really trying to step on it, trying to just stay collected within myself."
Anderson emerged as a key bullpen weapon for the Rays last season, with manager Kevin Cash deploying him in a variety of situations. He posted a 0.55 ERA, 1.35 FIP, and 0.49 WHIP with 26 strikeouts, six saves, and just three walks over 19 outings during the pandemic-shortened campaign.
That performance didn't carry over into the playoffs, when his struggles worsened with each passing round. Anderson finished the postseason with a 5.52 ERA across 14 2/3 innings, and he set a playoff record by allowing a run in seven straight postseason outings.
Anderson, who made his big-league debut in 2019, is still one year away from arbitration and won't reach free agency until 2025.
