Tampa Bay Rays closer Brad Boxberger, who led the American League with 41 saves last season, will miss at least eight weeks after undergoing abdominal muscle surgery.
Manager Kevin Cash made the announcement Friday at spring training in Port Charlotte, Fla., after the right-hander had the operation in Philadelphia on Thursday to repair a torn abdominal abductor muscle.
Cash said the team will have a better idea when Boxberger can return after the first four weeks of recovery.
“Obviously it’s a blow, because we know he’s so valuable,” Cash said.
Cash said Boxberger began experiencing some discomfort while throwing off the mound this spring.
“It was very unique that it wasn’t really causing pain,” Cash said. “Had we not got it fixed, then it nags for a long time. Box was in good spirits, and (it was) a very successful procedure.”
The 27-year-old Boxberger had 41 saves in 47 opportunities last year, with a 4-10 record and 3.71 ERA in 63 innings.
Cash said the Rays will not designate a closer while Boxberger is on the disabled list, distributing the role for now among Alex Colome, Xavier Cedeno, Danny Farquhar, Steve Geltz and Ryan Webb.
“We definitely do (like our options),” Cash said. “We all saw Colome evolve into a pretty dominant force in the bullpen. Cedeno was as consistent as anybody last year. Geltsie learned a lot. He had a really good year until he just got worn out a little bit. And most of that’s on me for putting him out there.
“And then the additions we have in Ryan Webb, who’s got some experience at the back end. Farquhar, who has (18 saves for the Seattle Mariners). So we have multiple options, and we’re excited to see how it shakes out.”