Rasmussen (elbow) gave up one hit and struck out a batter over a scoreless inning during his rehab appearance Wednesday with Triple-A Durham.

EDGE Analysis

Rasmussen has tossed a pair of scoreless frames over his first two rehab outings with Durham and doesn't seem to be showing any signs of rust as he makes his way back from the internal brace procedure he underwent on his right elbow July 24, 2023. Not only has he yet to issue a walk, but he's also been flashing premium velocity on his rehab assignment; six of his 16 pitches Wednesday clocked in at over 96 miles per hour, and he maxed out at 98.3 mph. Though the Rays envision Rasmussen slotting back into the rotation in 2025, he'll be joining the big club as a reliever this season once he's activated from the 60-day injured list.

Rasmussen (elbow) recorded a strikeout as part of a 1-2-3 first inning in his rehab start Sunday with Triple-A Durham.

EDGE Analysis

Rasmussen spotted 11 of his 15 pitches for strikes in the rehab outing, his first competitive action at any level since he underwent an internal brace procedure on his right elbow last July. Though the right-hander is expected to prepare for a starting role with the big club heading into the 2025 season, the Rays will ease him back from elbow surgery as a multi-inning reliever in 2024. Rasmussen will likely make at least a few more appearances in the minors before the Rays bring him back from the 60-day injured list, likely in early-to-mid August.

Rasmussen (elbow) will make his first rehab start with Triple-A Durham on Sunday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rasmussen began the season on the 60-day injured list after undergoing an internal brace procedure in July of 2023. He started throwing bullpen sessions in May, and the 28-year-old right-hander is ready to take the next step in his rehab program. Barring any setbacks from his rehab outings, Rasmussen should return to the majors and work out of Tampa Bay's bullpen, with the aim to resume pitching out of the rotation in 2025, per Evan Closky of 10 Tampa Bay.

The Rays plan to bring Rasmussen (elbow) back as a reliever this season, Evan Closky of 10 Tampa Bay WTSP reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rasmussen had an internal brace procedure on his right elbow last July. Between the Rays' rotation depth and the length of time it would take to build him back up as a starter, it makes sense that the righty is being viewed as a reliever in 2024. The plan will be to return Rasmussen to the rotation in 2025. Rasmussen is slated to throw a live batting practice session Saturday, with the goal to begin a rehab assignment shortly after the All-Star break.

Rasmussen (elbow) is scheduled to throw live batting practice Saturday and is aiming to begin a rehab assignment following the All-Star break, Steve Carney of StPeteNine.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rasmussen underwent an internal brace procedure in his throwing elbow in July of 2023 and has been throwing off a mound since the end of May. While the 28-year-old is still a few weeks out from embarking on what's expected to be a lengthy minor-league rehab stint, Rasmussen appears to be on track to pitch for the Rays this season and could even be cleared before September.

Rasmussen (elbow) was scheduled to throw a bullpen session Tuesday at the Rays' spring training facility, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

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 that he had previously underwent two Tommy John surgeries earlier 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.

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.