Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Jacob Waguespack (back, shoulder) received injections in his back on Aug. 5 and was hoping to return to throwing bullpen sessions by Tuesday, Aug. 13. Waguespack was moved to the 60-day injured list on May 18. He suffered a right-shoulder injury during his last outing for Triple-A Durham that wasn't expected to require a significant stint on the shelf, but the Rays gained flexibility by recalling him and placing him on the 15-day IL on May 6. The 30-year-old retired all four batters he faced (three strikeouts) in a start in the rookie-level Florida Complex League on June 25 but was then shut down with a lower-back issue, with no timeframe for his return provided. If Waguespack can avoid any further setbacks once he resumes throwing off a mound, he'll have a chance to rejoin the big-league bullpen by the end of the 2024 season.

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Jacob Waguespack (back, shoulder) resumed a long-toss progression as of Friday and could throw a bullpen session this week. Waguespack suffered from right rotator-cuff inflammation during his last outing at Triple-A Durham that wasn't expected to require a significant stint on the shelf, but he was moved to the 60-day injured list on May 18. He retired all four batters he faced, striking out three of them, in a start in the rookie-level Florida Complex League on June 25. He was then shut down with a lower-back issue. The 30-year-old has been away from the Rays since April 12 but is finally ramping back up and should be able to help the team's bullpen in the big leagues down the stretch, barring another setback.

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Jacob Waguespack (shoulder) suffered a right-shoulder injury in his last outing with Triple-A Durham that isn't expected to require a significant stint on the shelf. Instead of leaving him on the minor-league injured list, the Rays recalled him and placed him on the 15-day IL on Monday. If Waguespack were to suffer a setback, it would required him to be moved to the 60-day IL to clear a spot on the 40-man roster. This way, if he's eventually put on the 60-day IL, he will be eligible to return after serving the minimum 60 days. The 30-year-old made four appearances (one starts) for the Rays before his injury and allowed seven runs (six earned) on 13 hits (one homer) while walking 10 and striking out 11 in just 10 innings.

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Jacob Waguespack will get the starting nod against the San Francisco Giants on Friday. The 30-year-old has been operating as a reliever during the early portion of the season. In three appearances, Waguespack has allowed six runs over six innings of work. He does have experience as a starting pitcher, but Waguespack hasn't made a start in nearly five years. He won't be a recommended streaming option ahead of Friday's slate.

The Tampa Bay Rays signed free-agent right-hander Jacob Waguespack to a minor-league deal with an invitation to major-league camp on Monday. Waguespack hasn't pitched in the big leagues since the COVID-shortened 2020 season. In his two years with the Toronto Blue Jays, he had a 5.08 ERA (4.87 FIP) and 1.46 WHIP while walking 38 and striking out 79 in 95 2/3 innings pitched over 27 appearances (13 starts). The 30-year-old pitched for the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan in 2023 and had a 4.76 ERA and 1.43 WHIP with 30 walks and 78 strikeouts in 56 2/3 innings over 36 relief appearances. Waguespack will almost certainly open the 2024 back in the US at Triple-A Durham and will serve as organizational relief depth for the Rays.