PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- When closer Brad Boxberger began experiencing some discomfort while throwing off the mound this spring, the Rays thought it was probably nothing more than a tight hamstring.
It turned out to be more serious than that. The right-hander, who led the American League with 41 saves last season, visited a specialist in Philadelphia and had surgery Thursday to repair a torn abdominal abductor muscle. He's expected to miss approximately eight weeks.
"Obviously it's a blow, because we know he's so valuable," said manager Kevin Cash.
The Rays will not designate a closer while Boxberger, 27, is on the disabled list.