Jeffrey Springs

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Jeffrey Springs

|image = Jeffrey Springs (7703271) (cropped).jpg

|caption = Springs with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2023

|team = Athletics

|number = 59

|position = Pitcher

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1992|9|20}}

|birth_place = Belmont, North Carolina, U.S.

|bats = Left

|throws = Left

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = July 31

|debutyear = 2018

|debutteam = Texas Rangers

|statleague = MLB

|statyear = June 9, 2025

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 28–17

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 3.62

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 423

|teams =

Texas Rangers ({{mlby|2018}}–{{mlby|2019}})
Boston Red Sox ({{mlby|2020}})
Tampa Bay Rays ({{mlby|2021}}–{{mlby|2024}})
Athletics ({{mlby|2025}}–present)

}}

Jeffrey Scott Springs (born September 20, 1992) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB). 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.{{cite news|url=https://www.gastongazette.com/sports/20180731/former-south-point-standout-jeffrey-springs-promoted-to-major-leagues|title=Former South Point standout Jeffrey Springs promoted to the major leagues|newspaper=The Gaston Gazette|author=Richard Walker|date=July 31, 2018|access-date=August 26, 2019}} He attended Appalachian State University, pursuing a degree in management and played college baseball for the Mountaineers for four years (2012–2015).{{cite web|url=https://appstatesports.com/news/2018/7/31/baseball-texas-rangers-call-up-app-state-alum-jeffrey-springs.aspx|title=Texas Rangers Call Up App State Alum Jeffrey Springs|website=Appalachian State Mountaineers baseball|date=July 31, 2018|access-date=December 14, 2019}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://blowingrocknews.com/mountaineer-alum-jeffrey-springs-lhp-promoted-to-texas-rangers/|title=Mountaineer alum Jeffrey Springs (LHP) promoted to Texas Rangers|website=Blowing Rock News|author=Bret Strelow|date=July 31, 2018|access-date=August 26, 2019}}

=Texas Rangers=

After signing, Springs split the season between the Spokane Indians and Hickory Crawdads.{{cite news|url=https://www.hickoryrecord.com/sports/red-raiders-win-pitcher-s-duel-eliminate-hickory/article_1502df20-bbaf-50c8-9b3b-9c2753ab14eb.html|title=Red Raiders win pitcher's duel, eliminate Hickory|newspaper=Hickory Daily Record|author=Mark Parker|date=May 25, 2011|access-date=August 26, 2019}}{{cite news|url=https://www.gastongazette.com/article/20150611/SPORTS/150619865|title=Headed for Spokane: Springs realizes his lifelong MLB dream|newspaper=The Gaston Gazette|author=Richard Walker|date=June 11, 2015|access-date=August 26, 2019}} He posted a combined 2–2 record with a 2.61 ERA in 31 innings.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/player/jeffrey-springs-605488|title=Jeffrey Springs Player Page|website=MLB.com|access-date=August 26, 2019}} 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 starts}.{{cite news|url=https://www.hickoryrecord.com/sports/app-state-alum-former-crawdad-reflects-on-first-big-league/article_157c60bc-1498-11e9-8774-f7f81e65fa51.html|title=App State alum, former Crawdad reflects on first big league call-up and 2019 goals|newspaper=Hickory Daily Record|author=Mark Parker|date=January 10, 2019|access-date=August 26, 2019}} Springs spent 2017 with the Down East Wood Ducks, going 2–8 with a 3.69 ERA with 146 strikeouts in {{frac|112|1|3}} innings in 31 games (17 starts).{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/down-east/news/former-dewd-jeffrey-springs-promoted-to-the-rangers/c-288217532|title=Former DEWD Jeffrey Springs Promoted to the Rangers|publisher=MiLB.com|author=Dominic Cotroneo|date=July 31, 2018|access-date=August 26, 2019}} Springs opened the 2018 season with the Frisco RoughRiders of the Texas League, producing a 3–2 record with a 4.82 ERA in {{frac|37|1|3}} innings. Springs was promoted to the Round Rock Express of the Pacific Coast League, producing a 1–2 record with a 2.79 ERA in 19.1 innings.{{cite web|url=https://www.wataugademocrat.com/sports/asu_sports/former-app-state-pitcher-closes-in-on-big-leagues/article_7c61080e-988b-5413-a282-1bae918c5f3e.html|title=Former App State pitcher closes in on big leagues|website=Watauga Democrat|author=Staff reports|date=June 22, 2018|access-date=August 26, 2019}}

Springs was promoted to the major leagues for the first time on July 31, 2018, and made his major league debut that night, striking out A.J. Pollock for his first major league strikeout.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/rangers-jeffrey-springs-contract-purchased-from-minors/|title=Rangers' Jeffrey Springs: Contract purchased from minors|website=CBSSports.com|author=RotoWire Staff|date=July 31, 2018|access-date=March 22, 2019}}{{cite news|url=https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/texas-rangers/rangers/2018/08/03/rangers-pitcher-jeffrey-springs-beat-long-odds-888th-pick-2015-draft-earn-mlb-call|title=How Rangers' pitcher Jeffrey Springs beat long odds as 888th pick in 2015 draft to earn his MLB call-up|first=Gerry|last=Fraley|authorlink=Gerry Fraley|newspaper=The Dallas Morning News|date=August 3, 2018|access-date=January 11, 2019}} Springs finished his rookie season after producing a 1–1 record with a 3.38 ERA in 32 major league innings.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/716833/2018/12/20/a-big-change-how-an-appalachian-state-senior-with-a-5-10-era-made-it-to-the-big-leagues-in-three-years/|title=A big change: how an Appalachian State Senior with a 5.10 ERA made it to the big leagues in three years|website=The Athletic|author=Levi Weaver|date=December 20, 2018|access-date=August 26, 2019}} In 2019, Springs made the Rangers opening day roster.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/rangers-jeffrey-springs-earns-opening-day-spot/|title=Rangers' Jeffrey Springs: Earns Opening Day spot|website=CBSSports.com|author=RotoWire Staff|date=March 21, 2019|access-date=March 22, 2019}} Springs missed close to two months due to left biceps tendinitis.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/rangers-jeffrey-springs-activated-from-injury-list/|title=Rangers' Jeffrey Springs: Activated from injury list|website=CBSSports.com|author=RotoWire Staff|date=September 1, 2019|access-date=October 4, 2019}} He finished the 2019 season going 4–1 with a 6.40 ERA over {{frac|32|1|3}} innings for Texas.

On December 2, 2019, Springs was designated for assignment.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/jimmy-herget-acquired|title=RHP Jimmy Herget acquired on waiver claim from Cincinnati|website=MLB.com|date=December 2, 2019|access-date=December 2, 2019}} On December 13, Springs re-signed with Texas on a one-year major league contract.{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/0c8e94b71666ada9d5fe3c53bc7a060f|title=Rangers finish $16M. 2-year deal with pitcher Jordan Lyles|website=Associated Press|date=December 13, 2019|access-date=December 13, 2019}}

=Boston Red Sox=

On January 15, 2020, Springs was traded to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Sam Travis.{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2020/01/15/red-sox-trade-sam-travis-to-rangers-for-lhp-jeffrey-springs/ |title=Red Sox trade Sam Travis to Rangers for LHP Jeffrey Springs |first=Steve |last=Hewitt |website=Boston Herald |date=January 15, 2020}} On March 26, the team optioned Springs to the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox.{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/redsox/roster/transactions/2020/03 |title=Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions |website=MLB.com |date=March 2020 |access-date=March 27, 2020}} Springs made his debut with Boston in the team's fourth game of the delayed-start {{mlby|2020}} season, allowing five runs on four hits and a walk in {{frac|1|1|3}} innings of relief against the New York Mets on July 27.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=401225719 |title=Mets vs. Red Sox |website=ESPN.com |date=July 27, 2020 |access-date=July 27, 2020}} He was optioned to and from the team's alternate training site during August and September.{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/redsox/roster/transactions/2020/08 |title=Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions |website=MLB.com |date=August 2020 |access-date=August 22, 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/redsox/roster/transactions/2020/09 |title=Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions |website=MLB.com |date=September 2020 |access-date=September 26, 2020}} 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 {{frac|20|1|3}} innings pitched.{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/sprinje01.shtml |title=Jeffrey Springs Stats |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 27, 2020}} On February 16, 2021, Springs was designated for assignment by Boston following the signing of Hirokazu Sawamura.{{cite news |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/02/red-sox-sign-hirokazu-sawamura-jeffrey-springs-dfa.html |title=Red Sox Sign Hirokazu Sawamura, Designate Jeffrey Springs |first=Steve |last=Adams |website=mlbtraderumors.com |date=February 16, 2021 |accessdate=February 16, 2021}}

=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.{{cite news |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/02/rays-red-sox-trade-chris-mazza-jeffrey-springs-ronaldo-hernandez.html |title=Rays Acquire Chris Mazza, Jeffrey Springs From Red Sox |first=Steve |last=Adams |website=mlbtraderumors.com |date=February 17, 2021 |accessdate=February 17, 2021}} 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 {{fraction|44|2|3}} 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.{{cite web | url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/rays-jeffrey-springs-done-for-season/ | title=Rays' Jeffrey Springs: Done for season | date=August 16, 2021 }}

Springs made 33 appearances (25 of them starts) for the Rays in 2022, posting a 9-5 record and career-best 2.46 ERA while striking out 144 in {{fraction|135|1|3}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Most, but not all, Rays show their LGBTQ+ support |url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/2022/06/04/most-but-not-all-rays-show-their-lgbtq-support/ |access-date=April 16, 2023 |website=Tampa Bay Times |language=en}}

On January 25, 2023, Springs agreed to a four-year, $31 million contract extension with the Rays.{{Cite web|title=Rays, lefty Jeffrey Springs reach 4-year, $31 million extension|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/35525243/rays-lefty-jeffrey-springs-reach-4-year-31m-extension?platform=amp|access-date=January 25, 2023|website=espn.com| date=January 25, 2023 |language=en}} 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.{{Cite web|title=Padres To Acquire Jason Adam From Rays|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/07/padres-to-acquire-jason-adam-from-rays.html|access-date=July 28, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} 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.{{Cite web|title=Free-spending A's trade for lefty Jeffrey Springs, continue to bump payroll|url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/athletics/article/a-s-trade-left-hander-jeffrey-springs-continue-19982436.php|access-date=December 18, 2024| website=sfchronicle.com|language=en |last1=Shea |first1=John }}

=Athletics=

On December 14, 2024, the Rays traded Springs and Jacob Lopez to the Athletics for Joe Boyle, Will Simpson, Jacob Watters, and a Competitive Balance Round A pick in the 2025 MLB draft.{{cite web|last1=Gallegos|first1=Martín|title=A's swing multiplayer deal with Rays for lefty Springs|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/jeffrey-springs-trade-to-a-s|website=mlb.com|publisher=MLB|date=December 14, 2024|accessdate=December 14, 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Passan |first1=Jeff |title=A's acquire left-hander Jeffrey Springs from Rays |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/42967283/acquiring-left-hander-jeffrey-springs-rays |access-date=December 15, 2024 |work=ESPN.com |date=December 14, 2024}}