Jeffrey Springs, Rays agree to $31 million, 4-year contract

By The Associated Press

FILE -Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Jeffrey Springs delivers against the Cleveland Guardians during the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, in Cleveland. Left-hander Jeffrey Springs became the first of the 33 players who exchanged proposed arbitration salaries with their teams to reach a deal, agreeing Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023 to a $31 million, four-year contract with the Tampa Bay Rays that could be worth $65.75 million over five seasons.(AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Ron Schwane]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Left-hander Jeffrey Springs became the first of the 33 players who exchanged proposed arbitration salaries with their teams to reach a deal, agreeing to a $31 million, four-year contract with the Tampa Bay Rays that could be worth $65.75 million over five seasons. The 30-year-old began last season in the bullpen, transitioned to the starting rotation in May and finished 9-5 with a 2.46 ERA in 33 appearances, including 25 starts. He is 14-6 with a 2.70 ERA in 76 outings — 51 of them in relief — since he was acquired from Boston in February 2021.