Rasmussen (elbow) was scheduled to throw a bullpen session Tuesday at the Rays' spring training facility, MLB.com reports.
An MLB.com report earlier this month suggested that Rasmussen had been slated to pitch in an extended spring training game May 20, but it's unclear if that actually came to fruition. In any case, Rasmussen's ability to step back on a mound Tuesday represents a positive step forward in his recovery from the internal brace procedure he underwent on his right elbow July 24, 2023. Though the hybrid procedure is designed to accelerate Rasmussen's recovery timeline compared to Tommy John surgery, expect the Rays to ease him along slowly through his throwing program, given he previously underwent two Tommy John surgeries in his career. President of baseball operations Erik Neander said in spring training that Rasmussen could be an option to rejoin the big-league pitching staff in the latter months of the 2024 season if all goes well in his rehab program.
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Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Set to throw in sim game May 20
Rotowire
Rasmussen (elbow) is progressing well in his recovery from the hybrid internal brace procedure he underwent July 24, 2023 and is scheduled to pitch in a game at extended spring training May 20, MLB.com reports.
Rasmussen already had two Tommy John surgeries on his resume before opting for the brace procedure last July, and he's seemingly bounced back from his latest elbow operation as well as the Rays could have hoped less than 10 months into his recovery. Since the Rays have already pinpointed a target date for him to pitch in a game -- albeit in a controlled environment -- Rasmussen is seemingly at the point in his rehab that he's facing hitters in live batting practice. The 28-year-old is likely targeting a return from the 60-day injured list in August or September.
The Rays placed Rasmussen (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Tuesday.
Rasmussen underwent an internal brace procedure in July and isn't expected to return until late in the season, so the Rays will stash him away on the IL for the time being. Rasmussen's roster spot will be given to Amed Rosario, who signed with Tampa Bay on Tuesday.
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Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Late-season return expected
Rotowire
Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander indicated Tuesday that he doesn't expect Rasmussen (elbow) back until well into the second half of the season, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Neander listed July or August as a timetable for Jeffrey Springs (elbow) and added that Rasmussen's return isn't expected until sometime after that. The right-hander underwent an internal brace procedure in July and probably can't be counted on as an impact fantasy option again until 2025.
Rasmussen (elbow) signed a one-year, $1.8625 million contract with the Rays on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
A right flexor strain put an early end to Rasmussen's season in May, and the 28-year-old righty underwent an internal brace procedure in July that will cause him to miss the first half of 2024. Rasmussen has been a key part of the Rays' rotation since joining the team in 2021, but his fantasy value going forward will be dependent on how well he's able to perform post-injury.
Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Out until middle of next year
Rotowire
Manager Kevin Cash said Saturday that Rasmussen (elbow) will undergo an internal brace procedure and won't return until the middle of next season, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
The Rays had previously hoped that Rasmussen would be able to return late in this season after he hit the 60-day injured list with a right flexor strain in mid-May, but that won't be the case. The righty will avoid undergoing Tommy John surgery for the third time in his career, but not by a wide margin. The internal brace alternative is a similar surgery and carries a recovery time that's at best only somewhat shorter.
