Tampa Bay Rays News: Former Rays’ pitcher Chris Archer out for season

Tampa Bay Rays News: Former Rays’ pitcher Chris Archer underwent surgery and will miss the entire 2020 season.

Former Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Chris Archer underwent surgery on Tuesday to relieve symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome.

According to Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk, Archer was suffering from symptoms and discomfort just before the suspension of spring training this past March. Although he continued a throwing regiment at home, the symptoms continued.

Archer was traded to the Pirates in 2018 for Austin Meadows, Tyler Glasnow, and Shane Baz. He has posted a 4.92 ERA in his 33 starts with Pittsburgh since the exchange.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have already lost Jameson Taillon for the 2020 season to Tommy John surgery. They were counting on a bounceback season from the former Rays ace.

Pittsburgh has an $11 million option on Archer for the 2021 season. He is not projected to be fully healthy when the Pirates have to make the call on his option. If they choose to exercise the buyout it will only cost them $250,000.

There’s a chance Archer will be a free agent in 2021.

Archer may not play with Tampa Bay anymore but he still maintains a connection to the city. The Pirates’ spring training facility is just south of St. Petersburgh in Bradenton. Archer still has a home in St. Pete.

He is renowned for his giving spirit and charity work. He is on the board of directors for the Archway Foundation, and as recently as April 2, he supplied the entire hospital staff at St. Petersburg General Hospital with coffee and breakfast.

We hate to hear the news that Archer will miss the 2020 season (assuming one is played). We wish him nothing but the best in his recovery and hope to see him on a major-league mound healthy and pitching like we know he can in 2021.