The Rays activated Poche (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Poche has been out all month with left shoulder inflammation but will skip a rehab assignment and go directly back into the big-league bullpen. The left-hander could be in the mix for saves down the stretch as part of an unsettled Tampa Bay closer situation.
The Rays placed Poche on the 15-day injured list Saturday with left shoulder inflammation.
Poche has allowed five earned runs over 6.1 innings since the start of August, and he hasn't pitched in a game since Tuesday. He'll now be shelved until at least mid-September, and the Rays will promote Hunter Bigge and Cole Sulser from Triple-A Durham to help make up for the loss to their bullpen.
Poche didn't allow a baserunner while throwing a scoreless eighth inning to earn a hold Thursday against the Cubs.
Thursday's appearance marked Poche's fourth outing since being activated from the injured list. He has only two strikeouts while issuing two free passes across four innings in that span, though he has yet to surrender an earned run. Poche will remain in a high-leverage role, but he isn't likely to factor significantly into the saves picture for the Rays, barring an injury to Pete Fairbanks.
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Rays' Colin Poche: Reinstated from IL
Rotowire
The Rays reinstated Poche (back) from the 15-day injured list Saturday.
Poche landed on the injured list April 26 due to mid-back tightness. He began his rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham on Sunday, and over three appearances he allowed two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out one over 2.2 innings. Southpaw Richard Lovelady was placed on the 15-day injured list with a left forearm flexor strain in a corresponding move.
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Rays' Colin Poche: Set for rehab assignment
Rotowire
Poche (back) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham on Sunday, MLB.com reports.
Poche's last documented activity was May 22, when he threw a 15-pitch bullpen session. He'll likely only need a couple of appearances in Durham before being activated.
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Rays' Colin Poche: Throws bullpen session
Rotowire
Poche (back) threw a 15-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, MLB.com reports.
Poche had made little progress since suffering a back injury in late April, but he felt good after his throwing session Wednesday. He'll continue to ramp up in the hopes of facing hitters by May 30 as the next step in his recovery.
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Rays' Colin Poche: Return date unclear
Rotowire
There is no clear timeline for Poche (back) to be activated from the injured list, MLB.com reports.
Poche has received a pair of cortisone shots to relieve his pain and has been able to resume some baseball activity. However, his ramp-up has remained slow, making it unclear when he may be able to return.
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Rays' Colin Poche: Resumes throwing
Rotowire
Poche (back) threw on flat ground Sunday and is expected to throw a bullpen session Monday, MLB.com reports.
Poche had been shut down since hitting the injured list April 26, after receiving an injection in his back and resting for several days. He's projected to return in mid-May barring any setbacks, suggesting he may not need a rehab assignment.
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Rays' Colin Poche: Expected back by mid-May
Rotowire
Poche (back) is not expected to spend much more than a minimum stint on the injured list, MLB.com reports.
Poche received an injection in his back shortly after landing on the injured list Friday. He's rested since, but will presumably resume throwing in short order. If Poche is able to return before Pete Fairbanks (arm), he could factor into the saves picture in Tampa Bay.
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Rays' Colin Poche: Lands on IL with back injury
Rotowire
The Rays placed Poche on the 15-day injured list Friday, retroactive to April 24, with mid-back tightness, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.
Poche was knocked around for three runs in his last appearance Tuesday and it's possible he might have been compromised physically in that outing. He will miss at least the next two weeks, depriving the Rays of another high-leverage reliever after they already lost Pete Fairbanks (arm).
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Rays' Colin Poche: Earns second save
Rotowire
Poche earned the save in Thursday's 2-1 win over Anaheim, working around a pair of hits while striking out one in the ninth inning.
After Pete Fairbanks threw 28 pitches Wednesday, the Rays turned to Poche in the ninth Thursday. The left-hander allowed a pair of base hits but ultimately coaxed a game-ending groundout from Brandon Drury, stranding the tying and go-ahead runs on base. It's the fifth-straight scoreless outing for Poche after he allowed four runs in his first three appearances this year. While Fairbanks and Jason Adam likely remain ahead of Poche in the ninth-inning pecking order, the 30-year-old southpaw could be in the mix for the occasional save going forward depending on matchups.
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Rays' Colin Poche: Nabs save Saturday
Rotowire
Poche picked up a save against the Rockies on Saturday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning.
Poche came on in the ninth inning with the Rays up by two runs and retired the side in order on 10 pitches. This was a nice bounce-back performance for the southpaw after he allowed three runs in one inning in the first game of the series in Coors Field on Friday. Interestingly, regular closer Pete Fairbanks didn't get the save opportunity Saturday despite throwing fewer pitches than Poche on Friday following two days of rest. However, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, Fairbanks was unavailable Saturday, so it shouldn't be assumed that Poche is going to get consistent save chances moving forward.
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Rays' Colin Poche: Gets $2.375 million from Rays
Rotowire
Poche signed a one-year, $2.375 million contract with the Rays on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
2023 was a breakout year for Poche, who finished the season with a 2.23 ERA,1.09 WHIP and 61:24 K:BB across 60.2 innings. His strong campaign earned him a $1.195 million raise, and he'll likely continue working as Tampa Bay's left-handed setup man in 2024.
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Rays' Colin Poche: Notches fourth win
Rotowire
Poche (4-1) earned the win in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Cubs, allowing one hit over a scoreless inning.
It was a nice bounce-back effort from Poche after he allowed two runs on three hits in his last outing Saturday. The 29-year-old left-hander finishes May with a 2.89 ERA over 9.1 innings, holding opponents scoreless in nine out of his 11 appearances. Poche now sports a 2.29 ERA through 19.2 innings this season with a 1.37 WHIP, 12:9 K:BB, one save and seven holds. He could be in line for more high-leverage work while Pete Fairbanks (hip) is sidelined.
