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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Tampa Bay Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander is expecting left-hander Jeffrey Springs (elbow) to return around July or August this year, with right-hander Drew Rasmussen (elbow) returning sometime after that. Springs had Tommy John surgery in late April of last year, so when the 31-year-old does return, he'll most likely be on a strict innings limit to close out the season. He only made three starts in 2023 but was excellent, allowing only a run while striking out 24 in 16 innings. Rasmussen had an internal brace procedure on his elbow in July and probably won't pitch much in the second half in 2024 when he does return. The 28-year-old was solid with a 2.62 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 47 strikeouts in 44 2/3 innings over eight starts last year before his injury, but fantasy managers are going to have to wait until 2025.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Drew Rasmussen (elbow) will undergo an internal brace procedure and won't return until the middle of next season. The organization was hopeful that Rasmussen could make a return this season. The right-hander has been sidelined since the middle of May due to a right flexor strain. He will avoid Tommy John surgery, but will still undergo a similar surgery. The recovery time for this surgery is slightly shorter, but Rasmussen still won't pitch until at least mid-season in 2024.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Drew Rasmussen (elbow) has been placed on the 60-day injured list. This is shocking news after Rasmussen seemed fine after throwing seven scoreless innings on Thursday. The Rays have already placed Rasmussen on the 60-day injured list, which is never a good sign. Team president of baseball operations Erik Neander said they plan to shut down Rasmussen from throwing for eight weeks. Possibly, Rasmussen is heading in the same direction as fellow teammate Jeffrey Springs, who recently had Tommy John surgery. The loss of Rasmussen is obviously a big blow to both fantasy managers and the Rays rotation. Hopefully, the right-hander hasn't suffered a season-ending injury.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Drew Rasmussen had a fantastic start on Thursday, shutting down the New York Yankees in an 8-2 win. Rasmussen threw seven solid frames, allowing just two hits and no walks while striking out seven. He probably could've gone further, as he threw just 76 pitches, but we all know how the Rays operate by now. It was the second scoreless outing in a row for the 27-year-old after going through a bit of a rough patch in mid-late April. He is now 4-2 with a 2.62 ERA and 1.05 WHIP, and he has a 47:11 K:BB ratio over 44 IP. He pitches for a great team and has been fairly dependable so far, but he might not earn the number of wins you'd expect since he doesn't often go far into games. He's still a very good fantasy option, though.

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Drew Rasmussen will take the mound against the Yankees in the Bronx on Thursday night. He hurled 5.2 scoreless innings of New York in his last start. In 14 innings against New York for his career, the 27-year-old has 19 strikeouts and is yet to give up a run versus the Yanks. The righty induces a lot of soft contact, registering a 28.4% hard-hit rate against him across 37.2 innings this year. After beating up on Athletics pitching, the Yankees are scoring 8.8 runs per game over their last four outings, but that shouldn't deter fantasy managers from starting Rasmussen against a team he's performed well against in his career.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Drew Rasmussen was once again excellent on Sunday, earning his second win of the season after shutting down the Oakland Athletics. Rasmussen threw seven shutout innings, allowing just one hit and no walks, while adding eight punchouts. This outing followed a near equally impressive opening outing where the 27-year-old didn't allow a run through six frames. After a breakout 2022 season where Rasmussen had an 11-7 record, 2.84 ERA, and 1.04 WHIP, the righty has opened 2023 just as strongly, tossing aside any speculation of regression.

The Tampa Bay Rays announced that right-hander Drew Rasmussen won't make the start in Game 162 of the regular season on Wednesday against the Boston Red Sox, and they will announce a starter after their game on Tuesday. With the Rays already locked into a wild-card spot in the American League, they have decided to save the 27-year-old for the postseason this weekend. Rasmussen has been excellent in his first full season for Tampa, going 11-7 with a 2.84 ERA (3.25 FIP), a 1.04 WHIP and a 125:31 K:BB in 146 innings pitched over 28 starts. He allowed 11 earned runs on 26 hits while walking four and striking out 22 in 29 1/3 frames in his final five starts of the 2022 regular season.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Drew Rasmussen allowed four runs in six innings against the Houston Astros in his most recent outing on Monday. Rasmussen also gave up six hits and a home run on the day. He allowed just one walk and struck out three batters. The starter generated 11 swinging strikes on 85 pitches and logged a 25% CSW rate. For the season, the 26-year-old now owns a 2.92 ERA, a 3.25 FIP, 117 strikeouts, and 29 walks in 132.2 innings.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Drew Rasmussen was scratched from his scheduled start on Tuesday against the Boston Red Sox and placed on the paternity list. With Rasmussen leaving the team for a few days, JT Chargois will step in as the opener on Tuesday against Boston, but he won't have much fantasy appeal as a streamer. The 27-year-old Rasmussen could return to make his next start at some point this weekend against the New York Yankees. He's been very strong for the Rays and fantasy managers this year, going 9-4 with a 2.70 ERA (3.23 FIP), a 1.05 WHIP, 103 strikeouts and 27 walks in 116 2/3 innings over 23 starts in his first full season with the Rays.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Drew Rasmussen was so close to throwing a perfect game during Sunday's contest against the Baltimore Orioles. He retired the first 24 batters before Jorge Mateo doubled to kick off the ninth inning. After that, Rasmussen was lifted from the game, but it was a fantastic effort. The 27-year-old has allowed three or fewer runs in 18 of his 20 starts this season. He didn't get the perfect game, but should continue being a reliable option down the stretch of the season.