Jeffrey Springs signs extension with Rays

n”,”providerName”:”Twitter”,”providerUrl”:”https://twitter.com”,”type”:”rich”,”width”:550,”__typename”:”ExternalEmbedContent”},”$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({“locale”:”en-us”,”slug”:”jeffrey-springs-signs-extension-with-rays”,”type”:”story”}).parts.2″:{“data”:{“type”:”id”,”generated”:true,”id”:”$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({“locale”:”en-us”,”slug”:”jeffrey-springs-signs-extension-with-rays”,”type”:”story”}).parts.2.data”,”typename”:”ExternalEmbedContent”},”type”:”oembed”,”__typename”:”ExternalEmbed”},”$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({“locale”:”en-us”,”slug”:”jeffrey-springs-signs-extension-with-rays”,”type”:”story”}).parts.3″:{“content”:”Springs was picked in the 30th round of the 2015 Draft, the 888th overall selection, out of Appalachian State University. He signed with the Rangers for $1,000. Two years later, while pitching in High-A, he was moved to the bullpen. He made his big league debut as a reliever in July 2018, only to be traded twice in the next three years.nnAfter harnessing his stuff and establishing himself as a quality reliever two years ago, Springs injured his right knee and needed season-ending surgery to repair a torn ACL. He recovered quickly and again became a key part of Tampa Bay’s bullpen. Then, about a month into last season, the Rays had an idea for their injury-depleted rotation.nnWhat if they made Springs a starter again?nnSprings delivered more than anyone could have expected. After officially joining the rotation on May 9, he posted a 2.65 ERA with 130 strikeouts and only 28 walks in 122 1/3 innings over 24 starts. It was just another chapter in a career that president of baseball operations Erik Neander called “a story of constant development and improvement.”nn“Jeffrey’s someone that, for a long time, has made the most of his opportunities and hasn’t always been given the benefit of the doubt,” Neander said.nn“That’s something that kind of helped mold me into the person and player I am today, and I wouldn’t change that for anything,” Springs said. “It’s a special organization, and I’m very excited to be here.”nnSprings, who had been set to reach free agency after the 2024 season, will now earn $4 million this season, $5.25 million in ’24, and $10.5 million in ’25 and ’26. His 2027 club option is for $15 million, with a $750,000…