Jeffrey Springs
Jeffrey Scott Springs is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Athletics of Major League Baseball. He has previously played in MLB for the Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox, and Tampa Bay Rays.
Career
Springs attended South Point High School in Belmont, North Carolina. While at South Point, he helped lead the baseball team to the 2011 North Carolina 3A state title, and was also named MVP of the 3A championship series. He attended Appalachian State University, pursuing a degree in management and played college baseball for the Mountaineers for four years. Springs was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 30th round of the 2015 MLB draft and signed with them for a $1,000 signing bonus.Texas Rangers
After signing, Springs split the season between the Spokane Indians and Hickory Crawdads. He posted a combined 2–2 record with a 2.61 ERA in 31 innings. He split the 2016 season between two levels, with the Hickory Crawdads going 1–1 with a 1.16 ERA in 18 games and struggling in a promotion to the High Desert Mavericks, going 2–2 with a 5.36 ERA in 13 games (9 startsBoston Red Sox
On January 15, 2020, Springs was traded to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Sam Travis. On March 26, the team optioned Springs to the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox. Springs made his debut with Boston in the team's fourth game of the delayed-start season, allowing five runs on four hits and a walk in innings of relief against the New York Mets on July 27. He was optioned to and from the team's alternate training site during August and September. Overall with the 2020 Red Sox, Springs appeared in 16 games, all in relief, compiling an 0–2 record with 7.08 ERA and 28 strikeouts in innings pitched. On February 16, 2021, Springs was designated for assignment by Boston following the signing of Hirokazu Sawamura.Tampa Bay Rays
On February 17, 2021, the Red Sox traded Springs and Chris Mazza to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Ronaldo Hernández and Nick Sogard. He made a career-high 43 appearances for Tampa Bay in 2021, pitching to a 5-1 record and 3.43 ERA with 63 strikeouts in innings of work. On August 16, Springs underwent season-ending surgery to repair an ACL tear in his right knee and was placed on the 60-day injured list.Springs made 33 appearances for the Rays in 2022, posting a 9-5 record and career-best 2.46 ERA while striking out 144 in innings pitched. On June 4, 2022, Springs, along with 4 other Rays teammates, opted out of wearing a Rays team logo and cap in support of LGBTQ+ Pride, during the team's annual Pride Night celebration at Tropicana Field.
On January 25, 2023, Springs agreed to a four-year, $31 million contract extension with the Rays. On April 13, Springs exited the set after left arm ulnar neuritis. He was placed on the 10-day injured list due to ulnar inflammation. On April 22, it was revealed that Springs would undergo Tommy John surgery, which prematurely ended his 2023 season.
On July 28, 2024, Springs was activated from the injured list to make his return from surgery. He made 7 starts for the Rays down the stretch, logging a 2–2 record and 3.27 ERA with 37 strikeouts across 33 innings pitched.