Drew Rasmussen Fantasy Stats

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen, who has been named the team's Opening Day starter in 2026, is a pretty good bet to see a career-high in innings pitched this year, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Rasmussen exceeded expectations in his first full year back from Tommy John surgery in 2025, going 10-5 with a 2.76 ERA (3.84 FIP), 1.02 WHIP, and 127:37 K:BB in 150 innings over 31 starts to become a first-time All-Star. For obvious reasons, the Rays closely monitored the 30-year-old's workload, and he still set a new career high in innings. Rasmussen has already had three serious elbow surgeries, dating back to his college days, but barring an injury this year, he should easily surpass the 150-inning mark he set in 2025. With more volume comes higher fantasy upside for Rasmussen, who is ranked as RotoBaller's No. 44 fantasy starting pitcher in 2026.

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen will take the hill on Opening Day on March 26 against the St. Louis Cardinals, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Rasmussen gets the nod after exceeding expectations last year in his first full season back from right-elbow surgery. The 30-year-old veteran was a first-time All-Star in his sixth year in the big leagues and went 10-5 with a 2.76 ERA (3.84 FIP), 1.02 WHIP, career-high 127 strikeouts, and 37 walks in 150 innings pitched over 31 starts. Still, fantasy managers need to remember that Rasmussen has had three elbow surgeries in his career. The Rays could loosen the leash a bit in terms of his workload in 2026, but they will still probably be somewhat cautious, given his injury history. You can't argue with Rasmussen's results when he's been healthy, though, as he has the fourth-best ERA among all pitchers in the last five years. He has a decent floor as a No. 4 starting pitcher in fantasy.

On a per-inning basis, Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Drew Rasmussen was one of the best hurlers in the big leagues in 2025. Across 150 innings (31 starts), the 30-year-old posted a 10-5 record with a 2.76 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 127 strikeouts. However, volume remains a problem for Rasmussen's fantasy outlook, as he averaged fewer than five innings pitched per start. He also struck batters out at just a 21.7% clip, which means he will leave fantasy managers wanting in the strikeout category unless he can greatly increase his innings workload. On the bright side, 2025 was Rasmussen's first season after throwing just 73 1/3 combined innings across 2023 and 2024 due to injury. With a full season of health under his belt, Tampa Bay may look to push him closer to 175 innings in 2026. However, Rasmussen has already undergone three major elbow procedures in his career, so he carries significant injury risk. Fantasy managers can rely on Rasmussen for excellent ratios when healthy, but may be wise to temper expectations for his workload volume heading into 2026.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Drew Rasmussen picked up his 10th win of the season on Wednesday night by spinning six strong innings against the A's in Sacramento. He allowed two runs (one earned) on just three hits with five strikeouts and no walks. Rasmussen has allowed two runs or fewer in seven straight starts, with a 2.08 ERA and 2.52 FIP over that span. The Rays limited his innings early in that stretch, but have allowed him to work deeper into games in his last few outings. The 30-year-old righty has had his last two seasons cut short by arm injuries, but he has been very effective this season. He will likely face the Yankees or Cardinals in his next start at home next week, although the Rays will carefully monitor his innings since he totaled 73 1/3 innings over the last two years and is already up to 117 2/3 innings this year.

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen won't be on a short leash in his first start of the second half of the season, which is scheduled for July 22 against the Chicago White Sox. In an effort to keep Rasmussen's workload down this year after he had elbow surgery in 2023, the Rays limited the 29-year-old to no more than three innings in each of his final three starts of the first half. Tampa could put the brakes on Rasmussen again later this year, depending on how many innings he's at, but to begin the second half, fantasy managers should feel comfortable rolling him out there in starting lineups. He should definitely be in there for a plus-plus matchup next week against the White Sox. Rasmussen has only 77 strikeouts in 91 1/3 innings over his 19 starts in 2025, but he's limited the damage and is sporting an impressive 2.86 ERA and 1.03 WHIP.

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen continued his strong start to the season in a 3-2 victory over the Miami Marlins on Sunday. While Rasmussen did not factor into the decision, he picked up a quality start with six innings of two-run ball. He yielded six hits, struck out three, and walked one in the contest. Sunday's outing marked the first time Rasmussen allowed a run since May 11. He carried a streak of 23 straight scoreless frames into the game, but Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez snapped it in the first inning with an RBI single. Although Rasmussen has not exceeded six innings in any start this year, he has recorded a highly effective 2.22 ERA with 59:14 K:BB over 69 frames. The 29-year-old will face a formidable New York Mets offense on Saturday.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Drew Rasmussen was dominant once again on Tuesday, shutting out the Texas Rangers for five frames in a 5-1 win. Rasmussen was electric in this one, allowing just one hit and walking none while punching out eight. It was his fourth straight outing without allowing a run, a stretch of 23 innings. The only negative is that the Rays haven't extended Rasmussen at all this year, with his most pitches thrown being 86. The 29-year-old will have to remain uber-efficient in order to keep racking up quality starts and wins, which can be a tight line to walk. Still, he's been excellent at that so far this year, going 5-4 with a 2.14 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, and 56 strikeouts in 63 IP. Rasmussen should be rostered and started in all leagues right now. His next start is a juicy one, as he gets the Miami Marlins at home on Sunday.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Drew Rasmussen pitched a quality start and earned the win in Wednesday's 5-0 victory over the Twins. He didn't allow a run over six innings, allowing only one hit and one walk while striking out five. This is now the third straight start where he has pitched six shutout innings. In that 18-inning span, he's allowed nine hits and one walk while striking out 13. The 29-year-old has been as steady as they come, with only one start this season in which he allowed more than three earned runs. He'll carry a 2.33 ERA into his next outing, which is lined up to be against the Rangers.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Drew Rasmussen pitched six scoreless innings in his team's 3-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. He allowed four hits, issued two free passes, and struck out three to earn his second straight win and quality start. The Oregon State product was solid again, yielding exactly four hits and no runs in each of his last two starts. He's done a decent job limiting hard contact, but it's at least mildly concerning that he's toed the rubber six straight times without piling up double-digit swinging strikes. He had a paltry three on Friday. Still, he's been effective -- letting up three earned runs or fewer in all but one of his ten appearances. Rasmussen will carry a 3-4 record into his next outing, a home matchup with the Minnesota Twins early next week.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Drew Rasmussen threw six scoreless innings in his team's 4-0 win against the Miami Marlins. The 29-year-old righty yielded four hits and struck out five to collect his first quality start of 2025 -- improving to 2-4. Two of the four hits against him came in the first inning (singles), but he quickly shut it down and would settle in for a few frames before allowing a double in the fourth and sixth. Rasmussen has been solid through nine starts, bolstering a 2.93 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 46 innings (40 strikeouts). That's pretty much what we've grown to expect from him, though it's worth mentioning that his strikeout rate is down a bit (22.2%) and he's affording opponents his highest average exit velocity (90.8 MPH) and xBA (.269) since 2021. He'll square off against the Toronto Blue Jays at home next week.