Getting to Know: Jeff Ames

Alex Cobb isn’t the only pitcher in Rays camp who has come back from thoracic outlet syndrome. Jeff Ames, who is in his first year in Major League camp, has done the same, and Ames’ comeback was a bit more challenging than most in that situation.

Thoracic outlet syndrome involves the compression of blood vessels and nerves that extend from the neck to the shoulder. It can result in continued pain and numbness in the shoulder and throughout the arm, and it is often difficult to diagnose. The most common surgical procedure for this injury involves the removal of an upper rib near the shoulder.

In Ames’ case, not only did he undergo surgery in 2014, but he also had complications that led to a collapsed lung, and a two-week stint in ICU.

That certainly led Ames to appreciate baseball more, but more so life in general. His comeback saw him split 2015 between advanced-A Charlotte and Montgomery, before spending all of last season with the Double-A Biscuits.

Last year as a reliever Ames struck out nearly a batter an inning and compiled a 2.71 ERA, leading to his first Spring Training invite. Ames was feeding breakfast to his nearly two-year-old daughter Haley when he got a call he was hoping for.

We discussed Jeff’s journey and what he hopes to gain out of this first MLB camp:

Ames was part of Tampa Bay’s 2011 draft class, where he was a supplemental first round pick out of Lower Columbia College in Washington state. Ames is trying to join Rockies manager Bud Black and become the third player from that school to reach the major leagues.

Ames was compensation for Grant Balfour signing with Oakland prior to the 2011 season. Ames is now 30–18 with a 3.33 ERA over 373 minor league innings. His fastball currently is in the 92–96 range, and he threw live batting practice at the first full workout on Sunday.