Rasmussen allowed one hit in two scoreless innings during Monday's Grapefruit League game against Boston. He struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

Rasmussen was very sharp in his first appearance of the spring, tossing 16 of his 23 pitches for strikes. Tampa Bay has already announced that Rasmussen is tabbed to start Opening Day, and the hope this season is that the Rays won't scale back his workload the way they did during the second half of last year. The right-hander should also benefit from the team moving back to pitcher-friendly Tropicana Field in 2026.

The Rays have named Rasmussen their Opening Day starter, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rasmussen was excellent in 2025 in his first full season back from elbow surgery, collecting a 2.76 ERA and 127:37 K:BB over 150 innings covering 31 starts. He had his workload carefully monitored last season but should have the reins loosened in 2026. That said, given that Rasmussen has undergone three major elbow surgeries, he's unlikely to ever be a workhorse. His Opening Day assignment will come March 26 in St. Louis.

Rasmussen didn't factor into the decision Thursday against Baltimore, allowing two hits and two walks across 2.1 scoreless innings. He stuck out three.

EDGE Analysis

Making his final start of the season, Rasmussen was pulled after recording one out in the third inning, putting him exactly at his 150-inning limit for the season. While Rasmussen failed to make it past five innings in any of his final five outings, the right-hander had a strong campaign overall, posting a 2.76 ERA with a 1.02 WHIP and 127 strikeouts across 31 starts.

Rasmussen did not factor into the decision in Friday's 11-7 loss to the Red Sox, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk with two strikeouts over three innings.

EDGE Analysis

Rasmussen needed 76 pitches to get through just three innings, generating only four whiffs in his shortest outing since the All-Star break. After closing August with four straight quality starts, the 30-year-old has failed to complete more than five frames in any of his four September outings. He owns a 2.80 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 124:35 K:BB across 147.2 innings this season and will aim to finish strong in a road matchup with the Orioles next week.

Rasmussen allowed three runs on four hits and three walks while striking out five batters over five innings in a no-decision against the Cubs on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Rasmussen tossed just 80 pitches in the outing, and he's now been pulled after five frames (despite not throwing more than 82 pitches) in each of his past three starts. While he hasn't taken a loss since June 19, the right-hander also has recorded five consecutive no-decisions despite not allowing more than three runs in any outing during that stretch. Rasmussen's overall numbers this season remain strong, as he's posted a 2.74 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 122:34 K:BB over 144.2 innings spanning 29 starts. He's in line to make his next start at home against Toronto.

Rasmussen allowed three hits and three walks across five scoreless innings in a no-decision Sunday against the Guardians. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

While the Rays ultimately came up short Sunday, it was an encouraging effort from Rasmussen after he allowed three home runs to the Mariners in his last outing. The 30-year-old Rasmussen's ERA is down to 2.64 on the year with a 0.98 WHIP and 117 strikeouts through 28 starts (139.2 innings). He's currently scheduled to face the Cubs on the road his next time out.

Rasmussen didn't factor into the decision Tuesday against Seattle, allowing three runs on four hits and no walks with two strikeouts over five innings.

EDGE Analysis

Rasmussen was excellent outside of the fourth inning. He ceded three solo homers during the frame, marking the 30-year-old's first time allowing more than two home runs in a start this season. He's now yielded multiple homers in two of his last three appearances. Since the start of August, Rasmussen has a 2.10 ERA and a 28:3 K:BB across 34.1 innings. He's on track to face the Guardians on Sunday.

Rasmussen came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 4-3 extra-inning loss to the Guardians, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out five.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander extended his quality start streak to four with another sharp performance that saw him fire 60 of 85 pitches for strikes, but Rasmussen missed out on his 11th win of the season when the Rays bullpen blew a 3-2 lead. He hasn't been tagged for more than two runs in an outing since June 30, and over nine trips to the mound since the beginning of July, Rasmussen sports a 2.34 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 39:7 K:BB in 42.1 innings. He'll look to keep rolling in his next start, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Mariners.

Rasmussen allowed two earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out six across six innings Wednesday against the Yankees. He did not factor into the decision.

EDGE Analysis

Rasmussen allowed a pair of solo home runs but otherwise held the Yankees in check. After having his workload limited during a brief stretch in July, Rasmussen has now turned in three consecutive quality starts. He's allowed only four runs (three earned) across 18 innings in that span, maintaining an excellent 15:2 K:BB.

Rasmussen (10-5) earned the win over the Athletics on Wednesday, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and no walks while striking out five batters over six innings.

EDGE Analysis

The only earned run Rasmussen allowed came on a Lawrence Butler solo shot in the third inning. The righty hurler was otherwise sharp and efficient, throwing 58 of 76 pitches for strikes en route to his second straight quality start. Pushing that out further, Rasmussen hasn't given up more than two earned runs in any of his past seven starts, posting a 2.08 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 28:4 K:BB across 30.1 frames during that span. He's one of just 14 MLB pitchers to reach double-digit wins on the campaign so far.