In a sobering development for a Tampa Bay Rays rotation already searching for stability, right-hander Ryan Pepiot will undergo hip surgery and miss the remainder of the 2026 season.
Manager Kevin Cash confirmed the news Friday, telling reporters that Pepiot is scheduled to have the procedure on May 13. The 28-year-old, who has yet to throw a pitch in a regular-season game this year, has been battling right hip inflammation since late in spring training.
Pepiot initially landed on the 15-day injured list before Opening Day and was transferred to the 60-day IL on April 14 after a setback. He had thrown a bullpen session but experienced renewed discomfort, leading to a cortisone injection and a search for a second medical opinion. What was initially viewed as a short-term issue that might have allowed a mid-May return quickly evolved into something more serious.
“Obviously this is not the news we wanted to hear,” Cash said. “Ryan has been working extremely hard to get back, but at this point the best path forward is surgery to address the hip issue properly and give him the best chance to be healthy long-term.”
The injury first surfaced in the final week of Grapefruit League play, described by Pepiot at the time as a “sticky, pinchy” sensation in the hip area. The Rays initially hoped conservative management and rest would suffice. Instead, the inflammation lingered, flared during his throwing program, and ultimately required surgical intervention.
For Pepiot, a former top prospect acquired from the Dodgers in the 2023 trade that sent Tyler Glasnow to Los Angeles, this marks another frustrating chapter in what had been a promising ascent. He flashed ace-level potential in limited action last season and entered 2026 projected as a cornerstone of a young, cost-controlled Rays staff. His absence leaves a void in a rotation that has already been reshaped by injuries and roster moves, including the recent signing of Michael Grove to help fill innings.
The Rays now turn their attention to internal options and external reinforcements as they navigate the early portion of the schedule without one of their more reliable projected starters. Pepiot’s recovery timeline will extend well into the 2027 season, but the organization expressed confidence that the surgery will resolve the underlying issue and position him for a full return next spring.
In the immediate term, the loss underscores the razor-thin margin for error that has defined the Rays’ pitching strategy in recent years. Depth has long been their calling card, but when key pieces like Pepiot fall out for the season, the challenge of sustaining contention becomes that much steeper.
Pepiot is expected to begin his rehabilitation in the coming weeks. The Rays have not yet announced a corresponding roster move, though additional pitching help could be on the horizon.
