The Tampa Bay Rays have been on a tear this season, leading the American League East with a record of 25-19. However, the team recently suffered a setback with the news that right-handed pitcher Drew Rasmussen will be placed on the 60-day injured list with a flexor strain in his elbow.
Rasmussen, who has been a key contributor to the Rays’ success this season, was pulled from his last start on May 21st with discomfort in his forearm. After further evaluation, the team determined that he had suffered a flexor strain, which can be a significant injury for a pitcher.
The flexor muscle is located on the inside of the elbow and is responsible for controlling wrist and finger movements. When a pitcher experiences a strain in this muscle, it can lead to pain and weakness in the arm, making it difficult to throw with the same velocity and accuracy as before.
For the Rays, losing Rasmussen is a major blow to their pitching rotation. The 25-year-old right-hander has been dominant on the mound this season, posting a 2-1 record with a 3.63 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 22.1 innings pitched. His ability to pitch multiple innings out of the bullpen has also been invaluable for the Rays.
While the 60-day injured list is a long time to be out of action, the Rays are hopeful that Rasmussen will be able to make a full recovery and return to the mound before the end of the season. In the meantime, the team will have to rely on other pitchers to step up and fill the void left by Rasmussen’s absence.
This injury is a reminder of how fragile a pitcher’s arm can be and how important it is for teams to manage their workload carefully. With a long season still ahead of them, the Rays will need to be strategic in how they use their pitchers to ensure that they remain healthy and effective on the mound.
For Rasmussen, this injury is a setback in what has been a promising start to his career. However, with his talent and work ethic, there’s no doubt that he will bounce back stronger than ever and continue to be a key contributor for the Rays in the future.
