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USATSI

Rays right-handed starting pitcher Shane Baz underwent surgery in his right elbow to remove loose bodies, the club announced Monday. Baz is expected to resume throwing again in 2-3 weeks, per the Rays. 

Surgery and then a total shutdown for weeks means Baz will miss Opening Day and the first several weeks of the 2022 regular season. Even if he resumes throwing two weeks from today, that's April 4 and the regular season starts for the Rays on April 8. Baz would then need to build himself back up to game shape before getting a look at the major-league level. 

And if there are any setbacks, we can just keep pushing the timeline back -- especially with this being Baz's throwing elbow. 

The Rays' rotation is already down Tyler Glasnow (Tommy John surgery last August) and Brendan McKay (thoracic outlet syndrome surgery last November). 

Of course, they still have several arms on staff to absorb the blows. 

Veteran right-hander Corey Kluber was signed in the offseason and it's possible he'll be the Opening Day starter. Lefties Shane McClanahan and Ryan Yarbrough along with righty Luis Patiño can handle rotation spots. Right-hander Drew Rasmussen did excellent work last season with 10 starts and 10 relief appearances. 

That's five right there, before we even get into how the Rays are adept at using openers and have an arsenal of relievers who can get length, such as Rasmussen (when deployed in relief, obviously) and lefty Josh Fleming. And there's the assembly line of high-velocity relievers. 

Once he's healthy, Baz will be one of the highest-upside pitchers the Rays have. CBS Sports ranked him the No. 4 prospect in baseball and Baz dominated Double-A and Triple-A last season before a late promotion to the majors. In three MLB starts, he was 2-0 with a 2.03 ERA, 0.68 WHIP and 18 strikeouts against three walks in 13 1/3 innings in the regular season. Despite the limited experience and only being 22 years old, he started Game 2 of the ALDS, too.