Tampa Bay Rays Get Devastating Injury Update on Starting Pitcher
The Tampa Bay Rays, the best team in baseball through the first (almost) quarter of the season, are being bitten by the injury bug in a big way.
First, it was left-handed pitcher Jeffrey Springs, who is out for the rest of the season and needs Tommy John Surgery.
Now, it's right-hander Drew Rasmussen, who is set to miss at least two months with a flexor strain. The Rays have already put him on the 60-day injured list.
Steve Carney, Rays Insider, tweeted this on Friday:
President of baseball operations Erik Neander tells @953WDAE that RHP Drew Rasmussen will be shut down for a minimum of eight weeks after his diagnosis of a flexor tendon strain. Rasmussen has been placed on the 60-day injured list by #Rays
The loss is devastating for a Rays team that owns the best record in baseball (30-9) entering play on Friday. It's also devastating for Rasmussen, who already has two Tommy John surgeries to his name, and now needs to miss more time.
You certainly don't want to speculate, but Mariners pitcher Robbie Ray was announced to have a flexor strain and ended up getting Tommy John Surgery this year.
Rasmussen has been one of the best pitchers in the American League this year, posting a 2.62 ERA.
He made his major league debut in the COVID 2020 season with the Milwaukee Brewers but was acquired by Tampa Bay in 2021.
For his career, he's 20-10 in 83 games. He had a lifetime ERA of 2.97 and a 1.09 WHIP.
He pitched a seven-inning gem on Thursday against the Yankees -- making some unique history in the process.
The injury to Rasmussen means that the Rays need to get Tyler Glasnow back sooner rather than later. Manager Kevin Cash spoke on his possible return here.
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