Ryan Pepiot #44 of the Tampa Bay Rays
In the world of baseball, players have endured injuries from unexpected sources—bike accidents, trampoline mishaps, and even falling piano benches. Now, add spider bites to that list. Tampa Bay Rays starter Ryan Pepiot has found himself sidelined due to a bizarre and unfortunate incident involving a spider bite that led to a serious knee infection.
Pepiot was hospitalized for nearly three days after the bite, which caused his knee to swell to an alarming size. Speaking to media, Pepiot described the ordeal, noting that the bite—likely from a spider—resulted in swelling so severe that he was unable to put weight on his leg.
“I’ve had bug bites all the time, but never something that, like, swelled up to where I couldn’t put any weight on my leg,” Pepiot told Ryan Bass. The swelling was so significant that Pepiot required 60 hours of medical observation to manage the infection.
The news is a significant blow to the Rays, who acquired Pepiot in a trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers that sent Tyler Glasnow to the west coast. Despite the setback, Pepiot has shown promise on the mound. In his last three appearances, he holds a 2-1 record and has posted a solid 3.92 ERA across 17 starts this season.
Rays manager Kevin Cash provided an update on Pepiot’s situation, revealing that the team is still evaluating his exact timeline for return. A potential rehab stint in the minors is under consideration as part of the recovery process. Pepiot is expected to throw off the bullpen mound on Saturday afternoon, signaling a step towards his return.
The Rays, known for their resilience and adaptability, will be hoping for a swift and full recovery for Pepiot. As they navigate this unusual injury, they remain focused on the goal of maintaining their competitive edge for the rest of the season.
