ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Rays bullpen will be shorthanded the next few weeks as closer Pete Fairbanks has been placed on the 15-day injured list.

Fairbanks exited Sunday’s game against Arizona in the ninth inning, two batters after allowing a game-tying home run. After throwing a pitch, Fairbanks indicated to the bench that something was wrong.

An MRI Monday revealed a right lat strain, the same type of injury he sustained in 2022 that benched the closer for nearly half the season. 

This season, Fairbanks had struck out 44 in just over 45 innings and posted a 3.57 ERA while earning 23 saves.

Tampa Bay lost 3-0 to Oakland Monday night, falling to 62-62 and 7.5 games out of the final wild card spot. The team's west coast swing includes two more games at Oakland before three-game sets at the Dodgers and Mariners. Tampa Bay will be back at home Aug. 30 against San Diego. 

In other moves, Yandy Diaz and Jose Siri returned to the lineup Monday in the Rays’ 3-0 loss at Oakland.

Diaz was hit with a pitch Sunday and didn’t finish the game. Siri, meanwhile, was back in the lineup after being benched for three games by manager Kevin Cash.

Also, catcher Ben Rortvedt has been placed on the paternity list as he and his girlfriend await the birth of their first child.

Rob Brantley has been called up from Triple A Durham to fill in.