Rays righty Tyler Glasnow will not be allowed to throw for at least two weeks after his latest MRI, manager Kevin Cash told reporters including MLB.com’s Juan Toribio (Twitter link). The skipper says he doesn’t know whether the young righty will have time to ramp back up in order to return this season.
That’s not terribly encouraging news for the Tampa Bay organization, which is battling to stay within shouting distance of the division lead while holding on to Wild Card position. Glasnow has been sidelined for more than two months with forearm issues. He had raised hopes recently of a valiant return down the stretch, but the hour is beginning to get late.
With Glasnow reaching new performance levels early this year, the Rays had the makings of a three-headed monster in the rotation with veteran Charlie Morton and reigning AL Cy Young winner Blake Snell. Though Morton has been an exceptional performer, Glasnow has been on the shelf since his eighth start of the year and Snell has failed to match his 2018 effort (in terms of earned run average, at least).
Understandably, the Rays are taking a cautious path with a key player-asset. Glasnow is set up for arbitration eligibility in the offseason as a Super Two, meaning he won’t be a free agent until 2024. That makes him an important piece in the long-term puzzle.
Glasnow’s long-term future remains bright, so long as he’s able to put this nebulous forearm problem behind him. He followed up a strong 2018 effort with 48 1/3 innings of 1.86 ERA ball to open the current campaign. Best of all, Glasnow averaged 10.2 K/9 against 1.7 BB/9 with a 51.7% groundball rate. With a 97+ mph heater, 12.0% swinging-strike rate, and increasing ability to start batters off with strikes and stay in the zone, the talented righty has threatened to establish himself as a front-line starter.
He’s done.
Thanks for the heads up Dr. Do-Little.
Is the deadline still September? If all he gets ramped up for is the playoffs I’m fine with that. Big three and a nine headed monster.
But are you willing to risk him not being sharp in a playoff game where every single pitch matters? Plus he doesn’t have a long track record of success either it’s not like he’s Kershaw. I don’t think I’d throw Glasnow out there in the playoffs unless I’m 100% certain he is ready and sharp.
I remember Taillon and Kingham for sure had TJ surgery, but I don’t remember whether Glasnow did or not.
Not sure if BR includes that type of info, but his page had no mention of one.
He’s never had TJ surgery.
Such an amazing potential.He was one of the highest rated Pirates prospects ever.He seems to have gotten it together so I hope that this is not a long term setback.
Glass-Now
This long a lay-off almost always leads to TJ
If that is the ultimate outcome and the current plan is to rest and try throwing again in two weeks then he’d be out for all of next season too.
Get TJ already. Not a FA for four years!