Headlines

  • Mariners Activate George Kirby For Season Debut
  • Jean Segura Retires
  • Report: “No Chance” Paul Skenes Will Be Traded This Year
  • Pirates’ Jared Jones, Enmanuel Valdez Undergo Season-Ending Surgeries
  • Hayden Wesneski To Undergo Tommy John Surgery
  • Dodgers Release Chris Taylor
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2024-25 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2025
    • Free Agent Contest Leaderboard
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Drew Rasmussen Shut Down For Two Months With Flexor Strain

By Anthony Franco | May 12, 2023 at 4:53pm CDT

4:53pm: Rasmussen will be shut down from throwing entirely for two months, Topkin reports (on Twitter). If all goes as planned, he could restart a throwing program in the middle of July. That’d be a multi-week process involving bullpen sessions, batting practice and likely multiple minor league rehab starts. It’d be a surprise if he’s back on an MLB mound before August, but it at least appears the club is hopeful he’ll be able to return for the stretch run.

3:04 pm: The Rays have been dealt another huge blow to their rotation. As first reported by Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, Tampa Bay placed starter Drew Rasmussen on the 60-day injured list after the righty was diagnosed with a flexor strain in his forearm. He’ll be out until at least the All-Star Break.

It’s an out-of-the-blue development. Rasmussen pitched just yesterday and didn’t show any signs of being hampered. He twirled seven shutout innings in a win over the Yankees, striking out seven while allowing just two baserunners. The velocity on each of his fastball, slider and curveball was right in line with his previous work this season.

Surprising as it is, Rasmussen apparently came down with a severe forearm issue from that appearance. Topkin tweets that he’s hopeful of avoiding surgery but he’s obviously in line for a notable absence in any event. The Rays wasted no time in putting him on the 60-day IL, indicating they didn’t feel there was any chance of him being back on an MLB mound before July.

It’s horrible news for the 27-year-old hurler. Rasmussen has a checkered injury history. He underwent Tommy John surgery midway through his sophomore year at Oregon State in 2016. The Rays drafted him in the first round the following year, but issues with his post-draft physical led the team to decline to sign him. Rasmussen subsequently underwent a second Tommy John surgery and didn’t pitch as a senior, causing him to fall to the sixth round of the 2018 draft.

Selected by Milwaukee, Rasmussen debuted in the majors as a reliever with the Brew Crew in 2020. The Rays acquired him alongside J.P. Feyereisen for Willy Adames and Trevor Richards in May 2021. Tampa Bay began to stretch him back out to starting at the end of that season and has seen him blossom into an excellent starting pitcher over the past couple years.

Rasmussen started 28 games and tallied 146 innings last season. He worked to a 2.84 ERA with a decent 21.4% strikeout rate and an excellent 5.3% walk percentage. He’d been off to an even better start this year. Last night’s performance brought him to 44 2/3 frames of 2.62 ERA ball over eight outings. He punched out 26.6% of batters faced and upped his ground-ball rate to a strong 52.6% clip.

His stellar early-season work was among the reasons the Rays have sprinted to a 30-9 start. They’re remarkably five games up in a division in which every team is at least three games above .500. It has been an incredible first few weeks for Tampa Bay, but they’re navigating a mounting number of rotation injuries. They were always going to be without Shane Baz for the bulk of the season after last year’s Tommy John procedure. Tyler Glasnow has been out all year after a Spring Training oblique strain. He’s on a minor league rehab assignment and should be back within the next couple weeks, but left-hander Jeffrey Springs is out for the season after undergoing a Tommy John procedure of his own.

Rasmussen’s injury leaves Shane McClanahan as the last starter who has been a constant all year. Offseason signee Zach Eflin missed some time with low back tightness but returned a couple weeks ago. He’s been excellent through six starts. Tampa Bay has gotten their first look at top pitching prospect Taj Bradley, who seems likely to return from Triple-A Durham to eventually take Rasmussen’s rotation spot. Josh Fleming and Calvin Faucher have worked in a swing capacity and could take some starts, as could one-time starter Yonny Chirinos. Cooper Criswell and Luis Patiño are on the 40-man roster and working out of the rotation in Durham.

Depending on Rasmussen’s long-term prognosis, it’s possible the Rays eventually look outside the organization for rotation depth. They’re going to be left to rely mostly on internal options until the trade deadline draws nearer, though.

Rasmussen will be paid around the MLB minimum rate and collect big league service while on the injured list. He’s slated to be eligible for arbitration for the first time at the end of this season and is controllable through 2026. He and the organization will obviously hope he’ll be able to avoid another serious arm procedure and return to the mound without too extended of an absence.

Share 0 Retweet 9 Send via email0

Newsstand Tampa Bay Rays Transactions Drew Rasmussen

Rays Select Chris Muller
Main
Astros Shut Down Michael Brantley Due To Shoulder Inflammation
View Comments (59)
Post a Comment

59 Comments

  1. baked mcbride

    2 years ago

    Uff da.

    1
    Reply
    • despicable_you

      2 years ago

      This is heavenly retribution for the apparent cheating that taking place on TB.

      How the heck do josh Lowe, Christian bethencourt, yandy diaz, Taylor walls, Harold Ramirez among others who for all their careers have been zeros and this year are all-pro players………

      Think about it without automatically telling me I’m a troll.

      5
      Reply
      • Travis’ Wood

        2 years ago

        You’re a troll. Nothing more. You should be embarrassed with this nonsense.

        34
        Reply
      • Yanks4life22

        2 years ago

        Okay Evan Roberts calm yourself down we aren’t even into June yet. Let’s see where their offensive numbers are come September and if they’re still “all-pros” by then.

        1
        Reply
        • despicable_you

          2 years ago

          I actually heard this theory postulated on the Al and jerry show…. Just saying.

          Reply
        • YankeesBleacherCreature

          2 years ago

          Perhaps stop listening to Al and Jerry (whomever they are) and stop regurgitating their vitriol bc it’s not making you sound sharp.

          3
          Reply
      • Niceee

        2 years ago

        They have faced some bad teams, and bad starting pitching. I’ll bet they simmer down over time

        5
        Reply
        • Sideline Redwine

          2 years ago

          Literally everyone will play the same schedule. And guess what? You still have to win them. But it’s okay, refrain from giving TB credit, we’ll see you in October…if your team is good enough.

          1
          Reply
      • Dustyslambchops23

        2 years ago

        It typically says a lot about someones personality when they auto assume someone is cheating when they succeed.

        11
        Reply
      • stymeedone

        2 years ago

        I thought about it first, as you asked. Yep, you are trolling. Can’t you just give accolades to a team that puts players in a position of strength?

        6
        Reply
      • rhandome

        2 years ago

        Cheating how?

        I’m willing to hear you out, but I’d need something more than “they have a bunch of guys hitting well”

        11
        Reply
      • goob

        2 years ago

        “This is heavenly retribution for the apparent cheating that taking place on TB.”

        Since you don’t have a shred of evidence that there’s any cheating going on, yes – that automatically makes you a troll.

        11
        Reply
      • Sideline Redwine

        2 years ago

        Baseless accusations. To call you troll would be to give you too much credit.

        5
        Reply
        • CleaverGreene

          2 years ago

          Lying conspiracy theorist would be accurate or as they call themselves ‘provocateurs’.

          1
          Reply
      • smuzqwpdmx

        2 years ago

        To make the game fair, all teams should have their coaching and player development staffs replaced with equally mediocre sets appointed by MLB. After all, the fans aren’t paying to watch coaches coach! /s

        Reply
    • Deadguy

      2 years ago

      Boycott the pitching clock

      Reply
      • bronxmac77

        2 years ago

        Comment clock violation!
        Strike ONE!

        2
        Reply
  2. davidk1979

    2 years ago

    Horrible news he was electric last night. Tonkin seems to break all Rays news.

    3
    Reply
  3. walter8706

    2 years ago

    Oh no, this is not good. Bradley please come up and keep doing what your doing

    1
    Reply
  4. bug1008

    2 years ago

    Bradley did not fare well yesterday.

    1
    Reply
  5. bug1008

    2 years ago

    Bradley did not have a good outing yesterday.

    Reply
  6. For Love of the Game

    2 years ago

    Ruh-roh.

    2
    Reply
  7. TrillionaireTeamOperator

    2 years ago

    That’s what he gets for pitching the Yankees to shame.

    3
    Reply
  8. DarkSide830

    2 years ago

    60 day placement the day after a start is ALWAYS ominous.

    10
    Reply
  9. thegreatgoodbye

    2 years ago

    Couldn’t have done this before pitching last night 🙂 #frustratedYankeefan

    2
    Reply
  10. Flanster

    2 years ago

    Whoa!!

    Reply
  11. TexasLeaguer

    2 years ago

    Maybe it’s time to talk about these injuries in correlation to the pitch clock! Pitchers throwing near max effort with shorter time between pitches.

    3
    Reply
    • Tassix

      2 years ago

      Sounds like it’s time to learn how to pace yourself.

      1
      Reply
    • Joe says...

      2 years ago

      Last year 51% of pitchers went on the IL. The clock has nothing to do with it.

      3
      Reply
  12. yoursisterisnice12

    2 years ago

    Velocity doesn’t mean anything that’s a stupid attempt to measure injury or not

    Reply
    • TexasLeaguer

      2 years ago

      Who said anything about velo? Imagine doing any upper body lift and having to do it on shorter rest. Would that not risk injury?

      3
      Reply
  13. Rsox

    2 years ago

    I think the pitch clock has exposed just how poor most pitcher’s mechanics are. Speeding up the deliveries of guys who only know how to throw seems to have lead to a lot of early, serious injuries

    2
    Reply
    • smuzqwpdmx

      2 years ago

      Are pitcher injuries actually statistically up this year league-wide? As a Blue Jays fan, we’ve lost… uh, Adam Cimber and Mitch White since the beginning of spring camp, neither serious. Nobody else I can think of.

      Reply
  14. ReyRey

    2 years ago

    Everyone’s always talking about the arms they develop and how they keep doing it. At some point we have to look at the arms they destroy as well. Look at the list, it’s long.

    7
    Reply
    • TexasLeaguer

      2 years ago

      Flexor tendon injuries are almost always an issue of overuse.

      3
      Reply
      • Tigers3232

        2 years ago

        @ TexasLeaguer so which one is it being rushed or overused? You are contradicting yourself here.

        Reply
      • smuzqwpdmx

        2 years ago

        Rasmussen did double his previous professional baseball career high in innings last season… with 146. With what his body got used to, practically any use was going to be overuse.

        While Rasmussen’s case involved some previous injuries and he may just have a glass body, it still illustrates a reason I think the way teams baby pitchers is self-defeating. Once you normalize starters throwing a hundred innings a year and 4 inning games with openers, using them normally becomes dangerous overuse. Perhaps if they babied arms less at a young age — when their bodies are actually best equipped to deal with physical stress — then they’d be prepared to take on workloads when they’re older without getting hurt as much.

        Reply
    • MrSeptember

      2 years ago

      The guy had multiple TJS in college. He’s not the picture of arm health to begin with.

      4
      Reply
  15. ReyRey

    2 years ago

    We all talk about the arms the “develop”. I think we should also look at the arms they run through as well. The list of blown arms is staggering for the Rays. Overwhelming more than any other club

    2
    Reply
    • Niceee

      2 years ago

      Every arm has wear and tear that teams constantly monitor. They sell at the right time, can’t really blame them, but you’re definitely not wrong.

      1
      Reply
    • padam

      2 years ago

      Such as…? You know how many other teams have a staggering amount? It’s almost a requirement to pitch for the Mets.

      Reply
    • Tigers3232

      2 years ago

      @ReyRey what also needs to b considered is a teams risk tolerance. Many teams are gonna avoid relying on an arm with 2 TJS as a starter. Tampa Bay however has to try and hit on these type of deals to b competitive with their payroll.

      Reply
  16. User 3595123227

    2 years ago

    I say have every single pitcher, majors and minors, get Tommy John Surgery and just get this garbage over with. Have all batters hit off a tee. These forearm injuries. Never ending. Maybe if they learned how to pitch instead of throwing 99 mph with every single pitch. That could help. The low pitch limits and 4 innings and done for the night sure isn’t working. Hopefully this guy doesn’t need surgery but come the f on. Something has to change. I better throw in a know the article didn’t specify he needs surgery and he’s already had the surgery twice. Might need it again. Feel bad for him hope it works out for him.

    Reply
  17. DCartrow

    2 years ago

    Until they institute an speed limit on pitchers deliveries( over 94 on radar, it’s a ball) you’re looking at the norm.

    Reply
  18. Ignorant Son-of-a-b

    2 years ago

    Not to worry. Rays still have Glasnow and Taj waiting in the wings. Plethora of pitching.

    Reply
    • HBan22

      2 years ago

      Glasnow is made of glass, and Bradley hasn’t proven anything yet. Their depth is dwindling rapidly.

      1
      Reply
      • bronxmac77

        2 years ago

        So he’s made of glass now?

        1
        Reply
  19. LordD99

    2 years ago

    Recent history indicates this will be the latest IL to be followed up with news of TJS.

    1
    Reply
  20. etex211

    2 years ago

    And the Rays will just keep on rolling. I don’t think it’s possible for them to run out of pitchers.

    Reply
  21. etex211

    2 years ago

    Regarding the wear and tear on pitchers’ arms: Most of these arms got ruined when these pitchers were teenagers by travel ball and high school coaches.

    4
    Reply
  22. holecamels35

    2 years ago

    In all fairness, the Rays seem tp largely go after intriguing pitchers with serious injury issues, so it’s not too unusual. Springs and Rasmussen have been fantastic but both also have not much of a history of starting, so the extra work probably puts more wear and tear on them. And guys like Baz and Glasnow are always injured, McLanahan, Snell, and David Price had healthy runs there because they were brought up as highly touted workhorse guys. Not so much Snell but he avoided major absences.

    1
    Reply
    • Tassix

      2 years ago

      Those injured guys are trade acquisitions. Maybe they think they have a value gaining idea with trading for them.

      McLanahan, Snell, and David Price are all draft picks.

      Reply
    • GarryHarris

      2 years ago

      You’re talking Yankees, not the Rays when you’re thinking of acquiring oft injured players.

      Reply
  23. LFGMets (Metsin7)

    2 years ago

    Wow maybe I was right in that previous post about the Rays rotation? Everyone thought I was trolling. It takes a big man to admit when they’re wrong. Not many of those on this site

    Reply
    • bronxmac77

      2 years ago

      So you’re on this site looking for big men. Got it.

      1
      Reply
  24. dano62

    2 years ago

    Bet they wish they hadn’t callously dumped Anderson a couple days ago. Expect they’ll acquire Montgomery in July, but until then it’ll be openers & Taj Bradley (who has sucked since his demotion). Chris Archer anyone?

    Reply
  25. KyleJB

    2 years ago

    What is this business with starting a sentence like “surprising as it is?” That’s not proper English. You have to start it with “as.”

    Reply
  26. Mickey Solis

    2 years ago

    This is disgusting. This is why the Rays will never win a World Series. They are cursed and the big money and big market bullies like the Dodgers will always have all the luck and the breaks and when they have an injury they can just buy someone to fill the space. I guarantee that the Rays won’t win the World Series because the baseball gods seem to hate these little engine that could teams. The Royals lucked into one in 2015 when some of the big dogs were in a bit of a transition phase but this Tampa magic can’t possibly sustain in October (never has never will) and it makes me sad because it’s just going to be Dodgers vs either Houston or the Yankees probably in the AL. It’s now just a matter of what star will get hurt next for Tampa.

    Reply
  27. Mickey Solis

    2 years ago

    Also that’s one more break for the Dodgers as they would’ve had to face Rasmussen in Tampa on Memorial Day weekend and now they won’t. Just hand them the rings and put Tampa out of its misery now.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Mariners Activate George Kirby For Season Debut

    Jean Segura Retires

    Report: “No Chance” Paul Skenes Will Be Traded This Year

    Pirates’ Jared Jones, Enmanuel Valdez Undergo Season-Ending Surgeries

    Hayden Wesneski To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Dodgers Release Chris Taylor

    Jose Alvarado Issued 80-Game PED Suspension

    Orioles Fire Manager Brandon Hyde

    Ben Joyce Undergoes Season-Ending Shoulder Surgery

    Dodgers Promote Dalton Rushing, Designate Austin Barnes For Assignment

    Major League Baseball Rules That Permanent Ineligibility Ends At Death

    Rangers Place Corey Seager On Injured List

    Cubs Promote Moises Ballesteros

    Evan Longoria To Sign One-Day Contract, Retire As Member Of Rays

    Diamondbacks To Promote Jordan Lawlar

    Rockies Fire Bud Black

    Cubs Promote Cade Horton

    Rafael Devers Unwilling To Play First Base

    Pirates Fire Manager Derek Shelton

    Mariners Claim Leody Taveras

    Recent

    Can Kyle Schwarber Earn $100MM On His Next Contract?

    Rockies Place Chase Dollander On IL With Forearm Tightness

    Mariners Activate George Kirby For Season Debut

    Oscar Gonzalez Signs Two-Year Deal With NPB’s Golden Eagles

    Nicky Lopez Elects Free Agency

    Ronel Blanco Being Evaluated For Elbow Soreness

    The Opener: Kirby, Perez, Heim

    Read The Transcript Of Nicklaus Gaut’s Fantasy Baseball Chat

    MLB Mailbag: Soto, Simpson, Phillies, Brewers, Herrera

    MLBTR Podcast: The Disappointing Orioles, Dalton Rushing, And The Phillies’ Bullpen

    ad: 300x250_5_side_mlb

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • 2024-25 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • Nolan Arenado Rumors
    • Dylan Cease Rumors
    • Luis Robert Rumors
    • Marcus Stroman Rumors

     

    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • 2024-25 Offseason Outlook Series
    • 2025 Arbitration Projections
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version