| Jeffrey Springs | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Springs with theTampa Bay Rays in 2023 | |
| Athletics – No. 59 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1992-09-20)September 20, 1992 (age 33) Belmont, North Carolina, U.S. | |
Bats: Left Throws: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| July 31, 2018, for the Texas Rangers | |
| MLB statistics (through 2025 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 34–23 |
| Earned run average | 3.64 |
| Strikeouts | 497 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| |
Jeffrey Scott Springs (born September 20, 1992) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher for theAthletics ofMajor League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for theTexas Rangers,Boston Red Sox, andTampa Bay Rays.
Springs attendedSouth Point High School inBelmont, North Carolina.[1] While at South Point, he helped lead the baseball team to the 2011North Carolina 3A state title, and was also named MVP of the 3A championship series.[2] He attendedAppalachian State University, pursuing a degree in management and playedcollege baseball for theMountaineers for four years (2012–2015).[3] Springs was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 30th round of the2015 MLB Draft and signed with them for a $1,000signing bonus.[4]
After signing, Springs split the season between theSpokane Indians andHickory Crawdads.[5][6] He posted a combined 2–2 record with a 2.61 ERA in 31 innings.[7] He split the 2016 season between two levels, with theHickory Crawdads going 1–1 with a 1.16 ERA in 18 games and struggling in a promotion to theHigh Desert Mavericks, going 2–2 with a 5.36 ERA in 13 games (9 starts}.[8] Springs spent 2017 with theDown East Wood Ducks, going 2–8 with a 3.69 ERA with 146 strikeouts in112+1⁄3 innings in 31 games (17 starts).[7][9] Springs opened the 2018 season with theFrisco RoughRiders of theTexas League, producing a 3–2 record with a 4.82 ERA in37+1⁄3 innings.[7] Springs was promoted to theRound Rock Express of thePacific Coast League, producing a 1–2 record with a 2.79 ERA in 19.1 innings.[7][10]
Springs was promoted to the major leagues for the first time on July 31, 2018, and made his major league debut that night, striking outA.J. Pollock for his first major league strikeout.[11][12] Springs finished his rookie season after producing a 1–1 record with a 3.38 ERA in 32 major league innings.[13] In 2019, Springs made the Rangers opening day roster.[14] Springs missed close to two months due to left biceps tendinitis.[15] He finished the 2019 season going 4–1 with a 6.40 ERA over32+1⁄3 innings for Texas.[16]
On December 2, 2019, Springs wasdesignated for assignment.[16] On December 13, Springs re-signed with Texas on a one-year major league contract.[17]
On January 15, 2020, Springs was traded to theBoston Red Sox in exchange forSam Travis.[18] On March 26, the team optioned Springs to theTriple-APawtucket Red Sox.[19] Springs made his debut with Boston in the team's fourth game of the delayed-start2020 season, allowing five runs on four hits and a walk in1+1⁄3 innings of relief against theNew York Mets on July 27.[20] He was optioned to and from the team's alternate training site during August and September.[21][22] Overall with the2020 Red Sox, Springs appeared in 16 games, all in relief, compiling an 0–2 record with 7.08 ERA and 28 strikeouts in20+1⁄3 innings pitched.[23] On February 16, 2021, Springs was designated for assignment by Boston following the signing ofHirokazu Sawamura.[24]
On February 17, 2021, the Red Sox traded Springs andChris Mazza to theTampa Bay Rays in exchange forRonaldo Hernández andNick Sogard.[25] He made a career-high 43 appearances for Tampa Bay in 2021, pitching to a 5-1 record and 3.43 ERA with 63 strikeouts in44+2⁄3 innings of work. On August 16, Springs underwent season-ending surgery to repair anACL tear in his right knee and was placed on the 60-day injured list.[26]
Springs made 33 appearances (25 of them starts) for the Rays in 2022, posting a 9-5 record and career-best 2.46 ERA while striking out 144 in135+1⁄3 innings pitched. On June 4, 2022, Springs, along with 4 other Rays teammates, opted out of wearing a Rays team logo and cap in support of LGBTQ+ Pride, during the team's annual Pride Night celebration atTropicana Field.[27]
On January 25, 2023, Springs agreed to a four-year, $31 million contract extension with the Rays.[28] On April 13, Springs exited the set after left arm ulnar neuritis. He was placed on the 10-day injured list due to ulnar inflammation. On April 22, it was revealed that Springs would undergo Tommy John surgery, which prematurely ended his 2023 season.
On July 28, 2024, Springs was activated from the injured list to make his return from surgery.[29] He made 7 starts for the Rays down the stretch, logging a 2–2 record and 3.27 ERA with 37 strikeouts across 33 innings pitched.[30]
On December 14, 2024, the Rays traded Springs andJacob Lopez to theAthletics forJoe Boyle, Will Simpson,Jacob Watters, and a Competitive Balance Round A pick in the2025 MLB draft.[31][32]