Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen threw his first live batting practice session of the spring on Wednesday and is working on a five-day starter's schedule. Rasmussen recovered from his third right-elbow surgery last year and rejoined the Rays as a reliever in August. The 29-year-old former sixth-round pick by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2018 out of Oregon State University appeared in 16 games (four starts) in 2024 and looked good with a 2.83 ERA (1.35 FIP), a 1.08 WHIP, one save, 35 strikeouts and six walks in 28 2/3 innings. There's no guarantee Rasmussen will actually be included as part of the Rays' Opening Day rotation, though, and he's appeared in only 24 games (12 starts) over the last two seasons due to injury. Given all of his elbow injuries over the years, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Rasmussen retreat back to the bullpen, especially since he looked so good in relief in his return in 2024.
Rays Working On Finalizing Extension With Drew Rasmussen
The Tampa Bay Rays are working to finalize a multi-year contract extension for right-hander Drew Rasmussen as he plans to return to a starting role in 2025. If the deal is finalized, Rasmussen will get a $500,000 signing bonus, a $2 million salary in 2025, $5.5 million in 2026 and an $8 million option for the 2027 season. His option includes escalator clauses based on health and innings pitched. The incentives make a lot of sense, as the 29-year-old has already had three elbow surgeries in his pitching career. Rasmussen has showed flashes as both a starter and reliever for Tampa, although his whiff rates have been much more impressive as a reliever. In five big-league seasons, Rasmussen has a sharp 2.95 ERA and 1.09 WHIP while striking out 301 and walking 82 in 310 2/3 innings over 99 outings (50 starts). Rasmussen is a big injury risk but is also worth a late-round flier as he transitions back to a starting role.
Drew Rasmussen Serving As Opener, Tyler Alexander Set For Bulk Relief
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen will be the opener for Wednesday's contest against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park and is likely to go only two innings. The plan is for left-hander Tyler Alexander to serve as the bulk reliever, although manager Kevin Cash told reporters in Seattle that depending on the game situation with a day off coming on Thursday, the Rays could go with a full bullpen game and use several relievers. This will be Rasmussen's third opening assignment of the year, but fantasy managers will want to avoid the 29-year-old, even against the light-hitting Mariners. Alexander, a 30-year-old southpaw, would be the better streaming option in deeper leagues, but he's also not recommended. In 17 outings (seven starts) this year, he holds a 5.22 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with only 69 strikeouts in 81 innings of work.
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen (elbow) was spotted with the team in St. Louis for their series opener against the hosting Cardinals on Tuesday, and he's expected to be activated ahead of Wednesday's game. Rasmussen is set to return to the Rays as a long reliever to manage his workload, which should build him up toward getting back into Tampa Bay's rotation next year. He will be making shorter appearances on less rest, allowing him to return to the big leagues from last year's right flexor strain quicker than he would be able to as a starter. Unless the 29-year-old righty draws spot starts here and there, Rasmussen won't feature an abundance of fantasy upside, despite putting up a 2.62 ERA and 1.05 WHIP with 47 strikeouts and 11 walks over 44 2/3 innings in 2023.
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen (elbow) tossed two scoreless innings for Triple-A Durham on his minor-league rehab assignment on Saturday, giving up three hits and recording one strikeout. It was Rasmussen's first relief appearance, foreshadowing his likely role upon returning as a versatile, multi-inning reliever for the Rays. He made shorter appearances on less rest, which should allow him to return to the big leagues quicker than he would as a fully built-up starter. The 29-year-old started his rehab assignment with Durham on July 21 by throwing a perfect 15-pitch first inning (11 strikes) with one strikeout and touching 98.8 mph with his fastball. He had another scoreless inning last Wednesday, giving up a hit while striking out one and throwing 11 of his 16 pitches for strikes. Rasmussen's fastball also topped out at 98.3 mph, so he's getting close to a return.
Tampa Bay Rays right-handed pitcher Drew Rasmussen (elbow) pitched a 1-2-3 inning with a strikeout in his first rehab outing for Triple-A Durham on Sunday. Rasmussen reportedly touched 99 mph on the radar gun with his fastball in an encouraging appearance. The 21-year-old is working his way back from an internal brace procedure a year ago. He already has a nice big-league track record and could be used as a reliever for the Rays at some point this season before potentially rejoining the starting rotation in 2025.
Drew Rasmussen To Throw Live Batting Practice Next Week
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Drew Rasmussen (elbow) is slated for a live batting practice session on July 2, and the club is planning for him to start a minor-league rehab assignment after the mid-July All-Star break. Rasmussen is looking to take the next step in his throwing progression from last year's right flexor strain, and he's on course to be an option for the Rays sometime later this summer. He'll likely need at least four or five rehab appearances, so fantasy managers should not be expecting him to be available until the middle of August in a best-case scenario. The 28-year-old right-hander did record a 2.62 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 47:11 K:BB over 44 2/3 innings in Tampa Bay's rotation last season, so he's someone to consider stashing once he gets closer to his 2024 debut.
Tampa Ray Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen (elbow) had a season-ending internal-brace procedure for a right-flexor strain on July 24 of last year. Rasmussen, who has previously had two Tommy John surgeries, is doing well in his rehab and is scheduled to throw in an extended spring game around May 20. President of baseball operations Erik Neander said before the season that Rasmussen could return to the big-league staff in the final months of the season. Rasmussen was put on the 60-day injured list back on Feb. 20. The 28-year-old should remain on the waiver wire in single-year fantasy leagues. The former sixth-round pick in 2018 by the Brewers out of Oregon State had a 2.84 ERA and 1.04 WHIP with a 125:31 K:BB in 28 starts covering 146 innings in his last full season in the majors in 2022.
Jeffrey Springs, Drew Rasmussen Set For Extended Spring Games
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitchers Jeffrey Springs (elbow) and Drew Rasmussen (elbow) are both scheduled to throw in an extended spring game around May 20. The Rays' rotation is arguably ruined by injury more than any other in baseball, but at least two of their key arms are progressing toward a return at some point later this summer. Springs is likely closer to doing so in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, and barring any setbacks, he could be in line to rejoin Tampa Bay's rotation by July's All-Star break. Rasmussen, on the other hand, is a weaker stash in fantasy leagues because his return from a hybrid internal brace procedure last July is not expected to arrive until the final months of the year. Over his last three seasons (196 innings), Springs owns a 2.53 ERA (3.14 FIP), 1.03 WHIP, and 231:49 K:BB and can be stashed in deep competitive leagues.
The Tampa Bay Rays placed right-hander Drew Rasmussen (elbow) on the 60-day injured list on Tuesday to make room on the 40-man roster for the signing of infielder Amed Rosario. Rasmussen won't return until the second half of the 2024 season after having an internal-brace procedure on his right elbow last July. The 28-year-old looked great for the Rays in eight starts last year before getting hurt, posting a 2.62 ERA (2.54 FIP) and 1.05 WHIP with 11 walks and 47 strikeouts in 44 2/3 innings pitched, but fantasy managers are going to have to wait until later this year to get another look at him. He's already had two Tommy John surgeries in his career, too, so expecting Rasmussen to pick up where he left off in 2023 would be pretty foolish.
Drew Rasmussen
• SP
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Rays
