Rays starter Jeffrey Springs forced from game by nerve issue in left arm

ST. PETERSBURG — Rays starter Jeffrey Springs best described the sensation in his left arm that forced him out of Thursday’s game as “kind of a funny bone, kind of a shock, zinger kind of thing down the forearm.”

In more technical terminology, the Rays announced it as “ulnar neuritis,” which is more commonly described as inflammation of the ulnar nerve that results in numbness or weakness in the hand.

As for what it means for Springs returning to the mound, they don’t really know yet. He and Rays manager Kevin Cash said they are hoping it is only nerve irritation and a short stay on the injured list, but a Friday MRI and doctor visit will provide a more definitive prognosis.

“Just hoping for the best,” Springs said. “Hopefully it’s just a nerve thing that kind of flared up. I’ve been very fortunate. I’ve never had any elbow issues or anything like that, so this is all kind of new. So we’ll see. Right now, I feel fine.”

After allowing zero runs and only three hits over his first two outings, Springs was off to another strong start, giving up only one hit, a first-inning homer by Boston’s Rob Refsnyder, over three innings and striking out five.

He threw two pitches to start the fourth, then had some obvious discomfort, flexing his hand and rotating his forearm. Springs initially waved off Cash and head athletic trainer Joe Benge as they headed to the mound, but after a brief conversation and one warmup pitch that felt worse, with his grip impacted, he left the game.

“No pain,” Springs said. “I didn’t feel anything pop or anything like that. Everything felt fine. I felt fine all day. I’ve been feeling fine. It was just more of kind of like that nerve-y shot down the forearm to the hand.”

Springs, 30, will be the third of the Rays’ five projected starters sidelined, joining Tyler Glasnow (oblique) and Zach Eflin (back) on the injured list. Springs last year transitioned from reliever to the rotation and became one of the Rays’ top starters, good enough to get a four-year, $41 million contract extension in January.

Bristo steps up, in

Starter prospect Taj Bradley made an impressive debut Wednesday, but for now it was a one-night stand. Bradley, as expected, was sent back to Triple-A on Thursday.

Reliever Braden Bristo, 28, was summoned from Durham to add depth to their bullpen, and he made his big-league debut, working the final three innings (no hits, one walk, four strikeouts, 42 pitches) to earn the save.

“As good (a debut) as I could have ever hoped for,” he said.

Bristo, 28, spent seven years in the Yankees system, the last two at Triple-A. He fought back tears while describing how he shared news of his promotion with his wife, Morgan.

“We’re high school sweethearts, and we’ve been in this thing for eight years now,” he said. “So I was really happy to tell her. She cried. I cried. I’m trying not to cry now thinking about it. But, yeah, it was awesome.”

Even better, Morgan, a certified registered nurse anesthetist near their home in Lafayette, La., was in the Trop stands, along with his parents, Angie and Daniel, and several friends. He joined Dale Thayer (May 22, 2009) as the only Rays pitchers to get saves in their debuts.

Bristo’s stay won’t be long, as he is expected to be optioned back to Triple-A on Friday so the Rays can add a fresh arm to the bullpen.

Rays welcome a special fan

The Rays welcomed a longtime, hardcore fan — 106-year-old Agnes Ingles — who attended her first game in person.

She said she has been following the Rays since they began play in 1998, watching every game she can on TV.

“It’s wonderful entertainment, I’ll tell you that,” she said, recalling details of the April 4 comeback win over the Nationals. “And it doesn’t matter what time the game goes off at night, I stay with it until the end.”

Ingles said when staff at her assisted living facility in downtown St. Petersburg learned of her interest, they worked out a plan to bring her to Tropicana Field. The Rays arranged for her to come on the field pre-game to meet Cash and to make the “Play Ball” announcement. “It’s been a lot of fun,” added Ingles, who said she moved to the area from Detroit after retiring in 1984.

Miscellany

Rays players decided on a “Dress like Yandy” Diaz theme for the trip to Toronto, which meant plenty of the tight jeans, sleeveless sweaters and gold chains favored by the infielder. …. The Rays beat the Red Sox for the 13th straight time at the Trop. … The announced crowd of 21,175 was second largest of the season. … The Rays are one of five teams since 1901 to homer in each of their first 13 games. ... Friday starter Drew Rasmussen said “it’ll be different, for sure” pitching against longtime Ray Kevin Kiermaier, who is now with the Blue Jays.

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