McGee (elbow) began throwing from 105 feet Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. It's just another checkpoint in the recovery process for McGee, who is working his way back from arthroscopic surgery on his throwing elbow. He's set to open the season on the disabled list for the Rays, but is scheduled to return at some point in late April. Once healthy, it's uncertain if he'll reclaim the closer's role he held for most of last season, as manager Kevin Cash could opt to stick with Brad Boxberger, Grant Balfour, or whomever emerges out of spring training with the job to start the season.

McGee (elbow) played catch Monday for the first time since his surgery in December. He is still expected to open the season on the disabled list after undergoing arthroscopic elbow surgery during the offseason, but McGee has been ahead of schedule in his recovery to this point, so there is reason to be optimistic that he could return to game action in April. Assuming he starts the season on the DL, Brad Boxberger figures to be a strong option in most formats.

McGee (elbow) agreed to a one-year, $3.55 million contract with the Rays on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Thanks in part to improved walk and swinging rates (as well as a low 2.9% HR/FB rate), McGee was able to cut his ERA from 2013 by more than half, from 4.02 to 1.89, and shave nearly 30 points off his WHIP. He recorded 19 saves and 14 holds against just four blown saves, but the Rays will have to turn elsewhere in the ninth inning to begin 2015, as McGee is expected to open the year on the DL following arthroscopic elbow surgery in December.

McGee (elbow) said his recovery is going well and he hopes to be ready to return sometime in April, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. McGee, who underwent elbow surgery in December, is ahead of schedule in his recovery and said there's a possibility he'll be ready to go in April, rather than early-May. At this point, it's too early to tell whether that timetable will hold up, but it's certainly encouraging to see McGee's rehabilitation is off to a strong start. The 28-year-old posted a 1.89 ERA with a 11.4 K/9 in 71.1 innings last season.

McGee (elbow) said Tuesday that he expects to return by late April or early May, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune reports. The Rays announced earlier in the day that McGee underwent surgery last week to remove loose bodies from his left elbow. His rehabilitation will push into the regular season, but it sounds like the 28-year-old McGee is confident he'll be available for most of the year. Brad Boxberger will presumably take over the closer role in the interim, with newly-acquired Kevin Jepsen serving as the top right-handed setup man.

McGee underwent arthroscopic elbow surgery last week and will begin the year on the DL, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune reports. Right-hander Brad Boxberger will presumably be thrust into the ninth-inning role to begin 2015, though the Rays also went out and traded for Kevin Jepsen on Tuesday to bolster their back-end bullpen depth. McGee was dominant in his 71.1 innings last season, allowing just 15 earned runs (1.89 ERA) with a 90:16 K:BB, 14 holds and 19 saves, though his three blown saves in his final seven appearances perhaps should have been a warning sign that something was physically wrong with him.

Rays manager Joe Maddon said he will likely go with a closer by committee next season, the Tampa Tribune reports. "I kind of like the closer-less bullpen, where you really can match up," Maddon said. "We've done it where the eighth innings requires the skill set and the ninth may require this skill set, and you have several guys who don't mind the pressure of those last three outs. For me, it looks like it would be best off to stay the way we are." McGee sits with a 1.92 ERA and 0.91 WHIP for the season, but he's struggled of late, with six earned runs allowed and three blown saves in his last six appearances. Despite his recent struggles, McGee will head into 2015 as the clear favorite for save opportunities in Tampa, but Maddon's unwillingness to commit to him in the ninth-inning role will keep him from being considered among the top tier of fantasy closers. Brad Boxberger, who has fanned 104 batters in just 64.2 innings this season, will likely nip at McGee's heels, and of course Grant Balfour has another year remaining on his deal.

McGee picked up his 18th save of the season, giving up two walks, a hit, and a run while striking out one in the ninth on Saturday against the White Sox. McGee had blown three of his last four save opportunities prior to Saturday, but he was given a 3-0 cushion in the ninth before Marcus Semien hit an RBI-single, the first White Sox hit after the fourth inning. McGee finished the inning with a save, but the Rays were unable to complete a major league-leading 22nd shutout.

McGee blew the save against the Yankees on Thursday, allowing three runs and two hits while retiring just one batter. McGee got off to an ominous start, hitting the first batter he faced. After a double and strikeout, McGee served up a three-run homer to Chris Young. McGee has been dominant this season, so unless he puts up several duds in a row, we wouldn't worry about Thursday's hiccup.

McGee picked up his 16th save of the season Friday night, as he struck out the side in order to finish off a 3-0 win over the Orioles. McGee continues to be a dominant force out of the Rays' bullpen. Over his last seven outings, the 28-year-old lefty is 3-for-3 in save chances, surrendering just five hits and a walk while striking out nine batters across nine scoreless frames.