Springs attended
South Point High School in
Belmont, North Carolina. While at South Point, he helped lead the baseball team to the 2011
North Carolina 3A state title, and was also named MVP of the 3A championship series. He attended
Appalachian State University, pursuing a degree in management and played
college baseball for the
Mountaineers for four years (2012–2015). Springs was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 30th round of the
2015 MLB draft and signed with them for a $1,000
signing bonus.
Texas Rangers After signing, Springs split the season between the
Spokane Indians and
Hickory Crawdads. He posted a combined 2–2 record with a 2.61 ERA in 31 innings. He split the 2016 season between two levels, with the
Hickory Crawdads going 1–1 with a 1.16 ERA in 18 games and struggling in a promotion to the
High Desert Mavericks, going 2–2 with a 5.36 ERA in 13 games (9 starts}. Springs spent 2017 with the
Down East Wood Ducks, going 2–8 with a 3.69 ERA with 146 strikeouts in innings in 31 games (17 starts). Springs opened the 2018 season with the
Frisco RoughRiders of the
Texas League, producing a 3–2 record with a 4.82 ERA in innings. Springs was promoted to the major leagues for the first time on July 31, 2018, and made his major league debut that night, striking out
A.J. Pollock for his first major league strikeout. Springs finished his rookie season after producing a 1–1 record with a 3.38 ERA in 32 major league innings. In 2019, Springs made the Rangers opening day roster. Springs missed close to two months due to left biceps tendinitis. He finished the 2019 season going 4–1 with a 6.40 ERA over innings for Texas. On December 13, Springs re-signed with Texas on a one-year major league contract.
Boston Red Sox On January 15, 2020, Springs was traded to the
Boston Red Sox in exchange for
Sam Travis. On March 26, the team optioned Springs to the
Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox. Springs made his debut with Boston in the team's fourth game of the delayed-start season, allowing five runs on four hits and a walk in innings of relief against the
New York Mets on July 27. He was optioned to and from the team's alternate training site during August and September. Overall with the
2020 Red Sox, Springs appeared in 16 games, all in relief, compiling an 0–2 record with 7.08 ERA and 28 strikeouts in innings pitched. On February 16, 2021, Springs was designated for assignment by Boston following the signing of
Hirokazu Sawamura.
Tampa Bay Rays On February 17, 2021, the Red Sox traded Springs and
Chris Mazza to the
Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for
Ronaldo Hernández and
Nick Sogard. He made a career-high 43 appearances for Tampa Bay in 2021, pitching to a 5-1 record and 3.43 ERA with 63 strikeouts in innings of work. On August 16, Springs underwent season-ending surgery to repair an
ACL tear in his right knee and was placed on the 60-day injured list. Springs made 33 appearances (25 of them starts) for the Rays in 2022, posting a 9-5 record and career-best 2.46 ERA while striking out 144 in innings pitched. On June 4, 2022, Springs, along with 4 other Rays teammates, opted out of wearing a Rays team logo and cap in support of LGBTQ+ Pride, during the team's annual Pride Night celebration at
Tropicana Field. On January 25, 2023, Springs agreed to a four-year, $31 million contract extension with the Rays. On April 13, Springs exited the set after left arm ulnar neuritis. He was placed on the 10-day injured list due to ulnar inflammation. On April 22, it was revealed that Springs would undergo Tommy John surgery, which prematurely ended his 2023 season. On July 28, 2024, Springs was activated from the injured list to make his return from surgery. He made 7 starts for the Rays down the stretch, logging a 2–2 record and 3.27 ERA with 37 strikeouts across 33 innings pitched.
Athletics On December 14, 2024, the Rays traded Springs and
Jacob Lopez to the
Athletics for
Joe Boyle, Will Simpson,
Jacob Watters, and a Competitive Balance Round A pick in the
2025 MLB draft. ==References==