Tampa Bay has made a roster shuffle, moving right-hander Ryan Pepiot to the 60-day injured list as he addresses persistent right hip inflammation sustained late in spring training. The 28-year-old recently received an injection, a procedure manager Kevin Cash confirmed will realistically push his return to major league action back by approximately six weeks from the initial timeline.

Pepiot, who logged 167 innings across 31 starts last year posting an 11-12 record with a respectable 3.86 ERA, will need time to rebuild arm strength after the shutdown period. Cash stated the pitcher will get a brief rest before resuming throwing, followed by a planned minor league rehab assignment once he is built up to starting pitch counts.

To create the necessary 40-man roster spot, the Rays signed right-hander Michael Grove to a big league deal. Grove, formerly with the Dodgers, immediately landed on the 15-day IL himself while recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. Cash advised that Grove is perhaps three weeks away from facing live hitters in a game situation.

This sequence of moves addresses immediate roster needs while acknowledging Pepiot’s extended recovery timeline. Grove’s addition provides organizational depth, though his immediate impact is negated by his current physical status following the offseason shoulder surgery.