The Tampa Bay Rays, struggling to stay alive in the AL East playoff race, has suffered another blow.
Relief pitcher Jake McGee has been diagnosed as having a torn meniscus in his left knee and will miss 6-8 weeks. McGee had made 36 apperarances for the Rays and had 2.57 ERA with six saves.
The injury comes at a bad time with Brad Boxberger, the Rays’ other late-inning specialist, in a nosedive. Boxberger has a 3.19 ERA and 29 saves, but since July 22, he has four losses and a blown save. His nine losses lead all AL relievers by three. Six of his losses have been by walk-off, most in the league.
The bullpen has been something of an equalizer for the Rays this season; it leads the American League in appeareances and saves. The Rays recalled Enny Romero to replace McGee on the roster.