# Rays lose a bullpen arm right before October

> Tampa Bay shuffled the roster before an Athletics series, and the fallout hits a bullpen that can least afford it.
- Title: Rays lose a bullpen arm right before October | Shortify
- Summary: Tampa Bay shuffled the roster before an Athletics series, and the fallout hits a bullpen that can least afford it. Tyler Wells is done for the regular season…
- Keywords: mlb, tampa bay rays, bullpen, injuries, roster moves, sports, Rays, lose, arm, right, October, Tampa Bay Rays On SI
- Source: Tampa Bay Rays On SI — https://si.com/mlb/rays/onsi/rays-pitcher-claimed-by-braves-in-plethora-of-roster-moves
- Published: 2026-09-15T18:30:18+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: mlb, tampa bay rays, bullpen, injuries, roster moves, sports
## Roster churn before first pitch
The Rays opened a three-game set with the Athletics at Tropicana Field riding a three-game winning streak, and made a stack of roster moves right before it started.
## Braves grab Michael Grove
Right-hander Michael Grove was claimed off waivers by Atlanta after Tampa Bay designated him for assignment. He threw seven innings over three games for the Rays with a 5.14 ERA.

> Also: RHP Michael Grove was claimed off waivers by #Braves
## The real headline is Wells
Reliever Tyler Wells went on the 15-day injured list with right forearm tightness, retroactive to Sept. 13. That is the move that actually changes Tampa Bay's October.

> the biggest takeaway from all the moves that the Rays made is their Major League pitching staff suffering another blow
## His regular season is over
Tampa Bay's last regular season game is Sept. 27 against the Phillies. The 15 days run past it, so Wells cannot pitch again until the playoffs, if at all.
## No place to ramp back up
Minor league seasons end around the same time, so there is no rehab outlet. Getting Wells game-ready for the postseason becomes a guessing exercise.

> It will be interesting to see what kind of ramp-up the team can do with Wells
## A bullpen already thinned out
Edwin Uceta has missed the whole season. Garrett Cleavinger and Manuel Rodriguez both landed on the injured list recently. Wells makes four arms gone.
## What Tampa Bay is losing
Since arriving from Baltimore at the deadline, Wells posted a 1.50 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 18 innings across 14 appearances, going 3-0 with 0.9 bWAR.

> It is a massive loss in building the bridge to star closer Bryan Baker.
## Alex Cook rides the shuttle
Cook was recalled from Triple-A Durham to take the roster spot. He has been bouncing between Durham and the majors repeatedly as injuries churn the staff.
## A 40-man spot opens up
Jacob Melton was recalled and immediately placed on the 60-day injured list, which frees a 40-man roster spot if Tampa Bay needs to add someone.
## Fraley returns, Piper goes down
Outfielder Jake Fraley is back from a hernia that cost him since May 15, giving Kevin Cash another lefty bat behind Victor Mesa Jr. Catcher Kenny Piper was optioned to Triple-A.
## Key takeaway

Tyler Wells is done for the regular season with forearm tightness, and the Rays have no easy way to rebuild their bridge to Bryan Baker before the playoffs.