Rays’ reliever Jason Adam heads back to IL, 2023 return uncertain

ST. PETERSBURG — Rays set-up reliever Jason Adam went back on the injured list Saturday with another oblique issue, putting his return during the postseason in question.

Adam returned to duty Friday after being sidelined for three weeks with a left oblique strain. He gave up a home run on his first pitch, then two doubles and left the game after his 10th.

An MRI on Saturday morning indicated a strain in a different area, manager Kevin Cash said.

“So he’s going to miss some time,” Cash said. “I have no idea (how long). We thought he was totally healthy. And he might have been. This could be a totally different injury. I really don’t know.”

Adam wasn’t sure what to make of the latest setback either, but hopes to be ready sometime in October.

“I’m more sore this time than last time,” he said. “(Friday) night, it felt like a different spot. Now, it feels kind of like the same spot. So I don’t know. …

“Hopefully, I’m just really soft and it’s not that bad. But we’ll see. I mean, I’m hopeful. I want to be back. I still think this team is going to make a really deep run, so my goal is to be back and help contribute at some point.”

Chris Devenski, who was optioned to Triple A on Monday to get regular work, was recalled.

Reliever Robert Stephenson was unavailable Saturday due to what Cash said was “a banged up” and “sore” neck but is expected to be good to go Sunday.

The Rays also called up outfielder Raimel Tapia to take the place of Brandon Lowe, who was placed on the injured list with a fractured right knee cap that will sideline him four to six weeks, and thus potentially the entire postseason.

Tapia, 29, signed with Triple-A Durham in July after being dropped previously this season by the Red Sox and Brewers. He is a veteran of eight big-league seasons, mostly with the Rockies and in 2022 with the Jays.

Cash said Tapia, a lefty swinger, should be able to help as he can play all three outfield spots, runs well and can put the ball in play. “Good player,” Cash said, “does a lot of things to help you win.”

To make room for Tapia on the 40-man roster, the Rays called up reliever Calvin Faucher, who was on the Triple-A injured list with biceps tendinitis, and transferred him to the 60-day IL.

Cash said with Lowe out they will “mix and match” at second base, with Jonathan Aranda (who they are hoping starts hitting more), Osleivis Basabe, just called-up Junior Caminero and Isaac Paredes the options.

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