Odorizzi (back) was activated from the 10-day disabled list ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday against the Red Sox.

EDGE Analysis

He'll indirectly assume the rotation spot for Alex Cobb, who was moved to the 10-day disabled list earlier this week due to a case of turf toe. Odorizzi only missed two starts due to the back issue and came out of his Aug. 4 rehab start at High-A Charlotte without issue, so he shouldn't face any restrictions in his return to the mound. However, those who own the right-hander in shallower formats may want to steer clear of activating him right away, given the difficult matchup he'll have on tap Wednesday.

Odorizzi (back) emerged without setbacks from his Friday rehab start with High-A Charlotte and manager Kevin Cash has announced he'll start Wednesday's game against the Red Sox, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports. "I'm ready to go," Odorizzi said. "I will be back in there next time my spot comes up, so no more rehab starts."

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander told Cash that he hadn't felt as good in quite a while, validating the decision to run him out against Boston in what will be the middle contest of the three-game series at Tropicana Field. Odorizzi has compiled a 6-4 record in 18 starts this season, along with a 4.47 ERA that currently represents the highest he's generated in his Rays career.

Odorizzi (back) racked up six strikeouts and surrendered two earned runs three hits over three innings in High-A Charlotte's loss to Dunedin on Friday, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Odorizzi missed plenty of bats and looked solid overall while firing 54 pitches, 36 of which he got into the strike zone. Assuming the right-hander doesn't experience any setbacks, he's expected to return for the Rays' series against the Red Sox that kicks off next Tuesday.

Odorizzi (back) is scheduled to make a rehab start for High-A Charlotte on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Odorizzi was able to get through a bullpen session with no issues Wednesday, clearing the way for him to head out on what is assumed to be a brief rehab assignment. Manager Kevin Cash said the righty appears to be on track to return next week, so this could be his only rehab appearance before rejoining the Rays' rotation if all goes well.

Manager Kevin Cash said Odorizzi (back) appears to be on track to return next week, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Apparently everything went well during his bullpen session Wednesday, and it appears Odorizzi will indeed be back with the big club after just a brief stay on the 10-day DL. An exact return date should start to materialize as he continues to ramp up his activities in the coming days.

Odorizzi (back) played catch at Tropicana Field on Tuesday and is expected to throw off the mound Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander appears to be on track to make good on his assertion that he wouldn't miss an extended amount of time. Odorizzi's lower back issue has apparently been a recurring one dating back to spring training, so it remains to be seen if his current disabled list stint will be enough to eliminate it altogether.

Odorizzi (back), who landed on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday, said he doesn't expect to miss more than two turns through the rotation, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Odorizzi's lower-back injury has apparently been bothering him off and on since spring training, and though he wasn't forced to exit his most recent start Sunday prematurely, team trainers evidently determined that he could benefit from an extended break to allow him to heal up. The Rays have yet to name a replacement in the rotation for Odorizzi for Friday's series opener against the Yankees, but Austin Pruitt, who was mysteriously scratched from his start with Triple-A Durham on Tuesday, looks like he could be the leading candidate to fill in. The Rays will likely reassess Odorizzi's health in the next few days before determining if the right-hander will be able to take the hill for his following turn, which would likely fall August 2 against the Astros.

Odorizzi was placed on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday due to a lower-back strain, Steve Carney of Sports Radio 620 WDAE reports.

EDGE Analysis

Odorizzi lasted just four innings in his most recent start Sunday against the Rangers, but it was believed that his early departure had more to do with a high pitch count than any sort of injury. Evidently, the right-hander was in fact hurting, so he'll be shuttled to the DL for the third time this season. Odorizzi was in line to make his next start Friday against the Yankees, but the Rays will now be forced to turn to either long reliever Erasmo Ramirez or one of their starters in the minor-league ranks to fill Odorizzi's spot in the rotation.

Odorizzi allowed three runs on four hits and three walks across four innings in a no-decision Sunday against the Rangers. He struck out five.

EDGE Analysis

Odorizzi gave up a sacrifice fly and a solo home run in the second inning, but he settled down and appeared to have regained control after four frames. He ran into trouble in the fifth, however, yielding a solo shot to Joey Gallo to lead off the inning before walking two consecutive batters and receiving an early hook. Overall it was an underwhelming performance for the right-hander, who continued to struggle with the long ball and threw just 58 percent of his pitches for strikes. His ERA now sits at 4.47 for the season and he will look to get back on track Friday against the Yankees.

Odorizzi, who'll start Sunday's series finale versus the Rangers, plans to continue throwing from the stretch exclusively for the time being, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

The decision comes as a result of the success the right-hander encountered in a 3-2 win over the Athletics last Monday, one in which he fired seven innings of one-hit ball. According to Odorizzi, the fact that the stretch allows him to limit his movements prior to the pitch allowed him to improve his performance across the board. While some pitchers feel they lose power when pitching out of the stretch, Odorizzi's pitching repertoire isn't overly reliant on his fastball, which clocks in just over 90 mph on average.