Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Will be used in tandem with Boyle
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Rays manager Kevin Cash suggested after Sunday's 7-5 extra-inning win over the Twins that he intends to use Rasmussen as an opener in front of bulk reliever Joe Boyle for at least a few more turns through the rotation, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
After Rasmussen was used primarily in relief late in the 2024 campaign upon completing his recovery from a July 2023 internal brace procedure -- the third major elbow surgery of his career -- the Rays moved the right-hander back into the rotation on a full-time basis this season with the aim of limiting him to around 150 innings in 2025. Just over halfway into the campaign, Rasmussen has already compiled 89.1 innings, and despite the fact he's turned in a shiny 2.82 ERA and 1.01 WHIP through 18 starts, the Rays will stick to their plan of managing his workload so that he can be available in some capacity through the rest of the regular season and potentially into the playoffs. The Rays took the first step in curtailing Rasmussen's workload Sunday, when he was lifted after allowing one run in two innings before Boyle took over to cover the next five frames. Cash didn't go into specifics regarding how long the Rasmussen/Boyle pairing might be used or if Rasmussen would remain capped at around two innings when he's deployed in a tandem, but the arrangement is undoubtedly a negative development for the 29-year-old from a fantasy standpoint. In addition to not being able to qualify for wins if he regularly pitches fewer than five innings in starts, Rasmussen's impact in the ratio categories would also become more muted with lighter innings counts.
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Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Operates as opener Sunday
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Rasmussen took a no-decision in his start during Sunday's 7-5 extra-inning win over the Twins, striking out two while allowing one earned run on three hits and no walks over two innings.
Though the Rays didn't make a formal announcement regarding their plans for Rasmussen heading into the day, the right-hander ended up serving as a glorified opener in his shortest start of the season in terms of both innings and pitches (32). Tampa Bay called up Joe Boyle from Triple-A Durham ahead of Sunday's contest and used him in bulk relief behind Rasmussen, with the righty giving up one unearned run over five innings. The Rays' exact plans for Rasmussen moving forward aren't known, but because he's already accrued 89.1 innings on the season and is only two years removed from the third major right elbow surgery of his career, it wouldn't be surprising if Boyle piggybacks Rasmussen in his next turn through the rotation next weekend in Boston. With a 7-2 record, 2.82 ERA and 1.01 WHIP through 18 outings, Rasmussen has thus far been a screaming value for his draft-day investors, but if 2-to-4-inning starts become the norm for him, he would lose a significant amount of fantasy appeal.
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Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Has shortest start of season
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Rasmussen took a no-decision after throwing three innings, allowing four runs on five hits and one walk while striking out two, during Monday's 6-4 loss to the Athletics.
Rasmussen has pitched into at least the fifth inning in each of his 16 prior starts, but didn't even make it into the fourth inning Monday. The 29-year-old allowed four runs, tied for his most in an outing all year, and only threw 54 pitches before his evening came to an end. It was an early ambush from the Athletics that accounted for most of the damage, with Shea Langeliers hitting just the third home run that Rasmussen has allowed in his last nine starts. The right-hander will have a chance to rebound over the weekend as his next scheduled start is Sunday at the Twins.
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Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Five shutout innings in seventh win
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Rasmussen (7-5) tallied the win Wednesday against the Royals, giving up no runs on two hits and two walks in five innings. He struck out five.
Wednesday marked the seventh scoreless start of the year for Rasmussen, who scattered two singles. The 29-year-old right-hander was somewhat curiously pulled after throwing just 62 pitches, his fewest of the season, but it appears the Rays are remaining cautious about his workload after he missed over a year of action across 2023 and 2024 due to elbow surgery. Rasmussen has yet to toss greater than six innings in any of his 16 outings, but he still owns an outstanding 2.45 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 72:20 K:BB across 84.1 frames. His next start is projected to come at home versus the Athletics.
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Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Takes loss versus Orioles
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Rasmussen (6-5) allowed two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out five over 5.1 innings to take the loss Thursday versus the Orioles.
Rasmussen pitched well for the most part, but he allowed a leadoff single to Gunnar Henderson in the sixth inning that sparked Baltimore's rally. Reliever Edwin Uceta couldn't stop the bleeding, and after he allowed the inherited runner to score, Rasmussen ended up taking his first loss since May 11. He had allowed just six runs over 34 innings across his previous six starts, and Thursday's effort was by no means a bad performance. The right-hander has maintained a 2.61 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 67:18 K:BB over 79.1 innings through 15 starts this season. Rasmussen is projected for a road start in Kansas City his next time out.
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Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Quality start vs. Marlins
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Rasmussen allowed two runs on six hits and a walk in a no-decision Sunday against Miami. He struck out three.
While Rasmussen's four-start scoreless streak ended in the first inning Sunday, the right-hander was able to settle in and hold the Marlins to one run over his final five frames, picking up a fourth quality start in his last five outings. The 29-year-old Rasmussen's ERA sits at 2.22 through 13 starts (69 innings) this year with a 0.90 WHIP and 59:14 K:BB. He's currently slated to face the Mets on the road in his next outing.
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Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Blanks Jays for third win
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Rasmussen (3-4) picked up the win Friday, allowing four hits and two walks over six scoreless innings in a 3-1 victory over the Blue Jays. He struck out three.
It's the second straight quality start, and second straight scoreless outing, for Rasmussen, who kept Toronto's bats in check despite generating only four swinging strikes among his 76 pitches (43 strikes). The 29-year-old righty has given up more than three runs only once in 10 trips to the mound this season, and he'll take a 2.60 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 43:12 K:BB through 52 innings into his next start, which lines up to come at home next week against the Twins.
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Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Tosses six scoreless in win
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Rasmussen (2-4) earned the win against the Marlins on Saturday, allowing four hits and no walks while striking out five over six scoreless innings.
Rasmussen needed only 81 pitches to complete six frames for the first time this year. While Saturday marked his first win since his season debut March 31, the 29-year-old has allowed three earned runs or fewer in eight of nine starts. He'll carry a 2.93 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 40:10 K:BB across 46 innings into a home matchup with the Blue Jays next weekend.
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Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Allows two homers in loss
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Rasmussen (1-4) took the loss against the Brewers on Sunday, allowing three runs on four hits and one walk with three strikeouts over five innings.
Rasmussen surrendered back-to-back home runs in the fourth inning and was charged with his third straight loss. He's now allowed three earned runs or more in four of his past five outings and hasn't recorded a win since his season debut. Still, the 29-year-old owns a solid 3.38 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 35:10 K:BB across 40 innings and lines up for a favorable matchup with the Marlins next weekend.
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Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Takes loss in short outing
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Rasmussen (1-3) yielded three runs on five hits and two walks over 4.1 innings Tuesday, striking out two and taking a loss against the Phillies.
Rasmussen was not very effective Tuesday, but all the damage against him came during the second inning. He gave up a solo shot to Kyle Schwarber followed by Alec Bohm's two-run homer. Rasmussen completed at least five innings in each of his first six starts but has yet to finish six frames in any outing this year. Despite some recent shakiness (10 earned runs over his last 14.1 innings), he still owns a 3.09 ERA with a 32:9 K:BB through 35 innings. Rasmussen is currently lined up for a home matchup with the Brewers this weekend.
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Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Pitches five innings once again
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Rasmussen allowed four runs on five hits and one walk while striking out five in five innings Thursday against Arizona. He didn't factor into the decision.
Although Rasmussen did yield a season-high four runs and five hits, he still pitched at least five innings in his fifth straight start to open the campaign. The right-hander also gave up his first homer, a leadoff solo shot in the fifth frame to Tim Tawa, but it's been a steady beginning to the season overall. Rasmussen will be looking to reach the 90-pitch marker for the first time this year in his next start, which is poised to come versus the Royals at home. He boasts a 2.10 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 27:6 K:BB over 25.2 innings.
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Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Takes loss despite strong outing
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Rasmussen (1-1) took the loss against the Yankees on Friday, allowing one run on three hits and three walks while striking out seven across 5.2 innings.
Rasmussen put together another strong performance Friday, tossing 84 pitches (58 strikes) while generating 17 whiffs and fanning seven batters for a second straight game. The RBI single that he gave up to Trent Grisham in the second inning was Rasmussen's only blemish, but he still came away with the loss due to the lack of run support from the Tampa Bay offense. Rasmussen has allowed only two runs across his four outings and sports a 0.82 WHIP and 22:5 K:BB in 20.2 innings. He's in line to face the Diamondbacks on the road next week.
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Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Strikes out seven in no-decision
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Rasmussen did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 5-4 loss to Atlanta, allowing four hits and one walk with seven strikeouts over five scoreless innings.
Rasmussen was sharp, generating 10 whiffs on 80 pitches and exiting with a 2-0 lead before the Rays' bullpen let it slip away. He has been dominant to open the season, posting a 0.60 ERA, 0.73 WHIP and 15:2 K:BB across 15 innings. The only knock on the 29-year-old so far is his workload, as he has yet to pitch beyond the fifth frame in any of his three starts. Even so, he'll aim to stay hot in a home matchup with the Yankees next week.
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Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Posts another great start
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Rasmussen allowed one run on three hits and a walk while striking out four in five innings Sunday against the Rangers. He did not factor in the decision.
Rasmussen was fantastic again Sunday and was able to generate a ton of weak contact with his cutter. The Rangers managed just three singles against him, though two of them came in the third, leading to a run. Rasmussen's command continues to be a strength of his. Up until his fourth-inning walk, the 30-year-old righty had not walked a batter in six straight starts. He'll look to keep it rolling in a home start versus Atlanta next weekend.
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Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Shines with five two-hit innings
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Rasmussen (1-0) picked up the win after allowing two hits and no walks in five scoreless innings Monday against the Pirates. He struck out four.
Rasmussen was sharp in his season debut Monday, scattering two singles against a Pittsburgh lineup that offered little to no resistance. The right-hander made just four starts (16 appearances) a year ago after missing most of 2023 due to an internal brace procedure, but he should serve as a full-time member of Tampa Bay's rotation this season. Rasmussen's next appearance is slated to come this weekend in Texas, which would be a tougher test.
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Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Seems to have rotation spot
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Rasmussen threw 4.2 scoreless innings, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out three in Friday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta.
Rasmussen continues to ramp up, with Friday's outing marking his longest of the spring. He's been in a battle for the rotation spot for the last month, though Joe Boyle was demoted to Triple-A Durham on Saturday while Shane McClanahan (triceps) won't be ready to begin the season. That seemingly sets up Rasmussen to occupy a rotation spot.
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Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Two innings in spring debut
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Rasmussen threw two scoreless innings during which he allowed one hit and one walk in Monday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta.
Rasmussen has dealt with elbow injuries across the last two seasons, severely limiting his innings. However, he's still being stretched out as a starter this spring and managed 29 pitches in his spring training debut. Per Adam Berry of MLB.com, manager Kevin Cash has stated the team will use common sense when monitoring Rasmussen's workload, which could mean he is initially used in shorter stints or his turn through the rotation is occasionally skipped.
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Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Prepping as starter
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Rasmussen threw live batting practice Wednesday and is preparing for the season as a starter, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Rasmussen has been limited to only 24 total appearances across the last two seasons due to elbow issues, and he didn't pitch more than two innings in any outing in 2024 after returning to the mound in early August. However, he'll be set to work on a five-day starter's schedule throughout spring, something he believes will keep him healthier rather than potentially pitching back-to-back days out of the bullpen. Tampa Bay has a solid five-man unit with Shane McClanahan back after missing all of 2024 due to Tommy John surgery, so Rasmussen may need a strong spring performance combined with some luck to earn a rotation spot to begin the year.
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Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Agrees to contract extension
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The Rays and Rasmussen avoided arbitration Tuesday by agreeing to a two-year, $8 million contract extension, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
The deal also includes an $8 million club option for 2027, which could escalate to as high as $20 million if Rasmussen reaches all of his health and innings pitched incentives. There's a $500,000 buyout attached to the option, so the right-hander is guaranteed a total of $8.5 million with the extension. Rasmussen looked sharp in 2024 in his return from an internal brace procedure, holding a 2.83 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 35:6 K:BB over 28.2 innings. He is expected to return to the rotation full time in 2025, though he will have significant workload restrictions in place after totaling just 80.2 frames since the start of the 2023 season.
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Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Opening Saturday's game
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Rasmussen will serve as the Rays' opening pitcher for Saturday's game versus the Guardians, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Rasmussen has put up a 2.79 ERA and 1.09 WHIP across 19.1 innings this season. He'll likely be asked to work the first one or two innings of Saturday's contest before turning the game over to Tyler Alexander, who is expected to work in bulk relief.
