Rays' Tyler Glasnow (Oblique) Still Not Ready to Start Throwing

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow has not thrown a pitch in over two weeks, and he will remain sidelined for at least a little longer. Earlier this spring, Glasnow suffered an oblique injury and he since has rested. Glasnow, 29, is not yet ready to begin throwing.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow has not thrown a pitch in over two weeks, and he will remain sidelined for at least a little longer. Earlier this spring, Glasnow suffered an oblique injury and he since has rested.

Glasnow, 29, is not yet ready to begin throwing.

“You feel for him just because he’s worked so hard, and I mean, we all see it," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "The guy’s got, like, the perfect physique, and why does he keep getting injured? I think he questions himself, but he does all the research and tries to prevent it, but it sneaks up on him. But he’ll be okay.”

Cash and the Rays did not provide an updated time table on Glasnow's return. They need him, for sure, to win the American League East. According to the oddsmakers at Fanduel, both the New York Yankees (plus-130) and Toronto Blue Jays (plus-200) have better odds of winning the division than the Rays (plus-270).

“I actually talked to him two days ago, Cash said. "He’s in a better spot mentally. He was pretty frustrated. But we said to get in here, get his work done and get out."

Glasnow underwent Tommy John surgery in 2021, after suffering a torn UCL that summer. Glasnow returned to the Rays in September 2022, making two starts down the stretch of the season and starting against the Cleveland Guardians in Game 2 of the American League Wild Card Series.

With or without Glasnow, the Rays should have a very strong pitching rotation entering the 2023 season, with Shane McClanahan, Drew Rasmussen, Jeffrey Springs and Zach Eflin. The Rays signed Eflin to a three-year, $40 million contract in December. It is the largest contract the Rays have signed a free agent to in the history of their franchise. Eflin spent the first seven seasons of his Major League career, pitching for the Philadelphia Phillies.

McClanahan, 25, appears to be the favorite to start Opening Day for the Rays. He is coming off a remarkable 2022 season in which he was the American League's starting pitcher in the All-Star Game. According to the odds at Fanduel, McClanahan is the fifth-best choice to win the American League Cy Young Award this season.

McClanahan logged a 12-8 record, 2.54 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 142 ERA+ in 28 starts and 166.1 innings pitched, while finishing sixth in American League Cy Young Award voting.

Check out our full American League West Preview on the Jack Vita Show!

Subscribe to the Jack Vita Show on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Amazon | iHeartRadio | Stitcher | Pandora | TuneIn | Listen Notes | Podtail | Podchaser | Hubhopper | Audio junkie | Himalaya | Podcast Addict | Available wherever podcasts are found.

For more from Jack Vita, follow him on Twitter @JackVitaShow, and subscribe to his podcast, the Jack Vita Show, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Facebook, Amazon, iHeartRadio, and wherever podcasts are found.