Anderson expects to try a platelet-rich plasma injection or stem cell treatment to address his partially torn elbow ligament, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Anderson's elbow woes are expected to keep him out until after the All-Star break. He's not planning on undergoing surgery at this point, though the aforementioned treatments don't have a 100 percent success rate, so he may be forced to change his plans eventually. Diego Castillo and Pete Fairbanks look like the top ninth-inning options in his absence, though the Rays are famously creative with their pitchers' roles, so it's always possible someone else enters the picture.

Anderson (elbow) has a partial tear of his elbow ligament and is likely to be out past the All-Star break, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Anderson has been battling an elbow issue since March 17 and showed decreased velocity in his latest spring training appearance. Surgery has not recommended, leaving open the possibility that he could return at some point late in the season. The injury removes Anderson from the Rays' closer picture, leaving Diego Castillo and Pete Fairbanks as the most likely pitchers to account for saves.

Anderson began dealing with right elbow tightness last week and was throwing about 90-91 mph Wednesday against the Twins, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

The elbow issue apparently first surfaced March 17 and led the 30-year-old to take a few days off. He returned to game action Wednesday throwing about four ticks below his usual fastball velocity. Anderson wasn't throwing at max effort, but manager Kevin Cash still admitted "there's a level of concern." The team plans to see how the right-hander looks Thursday, and he could undergo further evaluation if the elbow remains an issue.

Anderson has been credited with a hold in each of his first two Grapefruit League appearances, firing two clean frames during which he's recorded two strikeouts.

EDGE Analysis

It's a very small sample, but Anderson has put on a pretty convincing impression of the late-inning dominator he was throughout the regular season last year before running out of gas in the postseason. The 30-year-old pitched to a career-best 0.55 ERA and 0.49 WHIP across 19 appearances in 2020, displaying his versatility by garnering six holds and saves apiece. Anderson is likely to see some save opportunities again in 2021, as manager Kevin Cash could well deploy a bit of a closer-by-committee approach now that Jose Alvarado is no longer on the roster.

Anderson spent most of the offseason in St. Petersburg instead of his native Minneapolis to work out at a new facility with the goal of enhancing mobility and strength, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander took his normal amount of time off after the Rays' postseason ended, which means he's a bit behind what is his typical spring schedule. Nevertheless, the right-hander has already thrown one bullpen session and is set for another in the coming days as he begins gearing up for the new campaign. After a dominant regular season during which he posted a career-best 0.55 ERA and 0.49 WHIP across 19 appearances, Anderson clearly struggled with fatigue in the postseason while giving up at least one earned run in each of his last seven October appearances.

Anderson (2-1) was credited with the win against the Phillies on Friday, firing a scoreless eighth inning during which he allowed no hits and issued one walk.

EDGE Analysis

Anderson was slightly less efficient than usual, throwing only half of his 16 pitches for strikes and walking his third batter this year. However, the right-hander still managed his fourth consecutive scoreless effort, and he became the pitcher of record when Joey Wendle laced a go-ahead two-run single in the home half of the eighth, which proved to be the difference in the contest. Anderson will likely continue to be one of manager Kevin Cash's most trusted bullpen assets in the postseason.

Anderson struck out one batter in a perfect ninth inning Monday, earning the save against the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

Despite retiring the Mets 5-6-7 hitters in order, Anderson needed 21 pitches to get out of the inning thanks to an 11-pitch at-bat by Robinson Cano. The 30-year-old righty now owns a stellar 0.60 ERA and 25:2 K:BB across 15 innings this season.

Anderson (1-1) was charged with the loss in an extra-inning defeat at the hands of the Nationals on Wednesday, allowing a hit on two runs (one earned) over one inning while striking out the side.

EDGE Analysis

The normally reliable right-hander finally faltered, surrendering a two-run home run to Luis Garcia with inning-opening baserunner Carter Kieboom aboard in the 10th to snap a 2-2 tie. Anderson rebounded to mow down Victor Robles, Michael Taylor and Jake Noll on swinging strikeouts, but he was ultimately saddled with the loss when the Nationals' Kyle McGowin returned the favor against a trio of Rays in the home half of the frame. Despite the stumble, Anderson now has an eye-popping 22:2 K:BB across 13 innings, with just 23 of the 47 batters he's faced successfully putting the ball in play against him.

Anderson struck out both the batters he faced to record his fifth save of the season in Tuesday's 6-1 win over the Nationals.

EDGE Analysis

The Rays seemingly had a comfortable lead heading into the ninth inning, but after Ryan Sherriff loaded the bases with one out, Anderson got the call with the tying run on deck and stopped the Nats' rally dead in its tracks. The 30-year-old still has an unblemished ERA on the season that's accompanied by a 0.50 WHIP, 19:2 K:BB, a win and five holds in addition to his saves.

Anderson (forearm) threw a scoreless ninth inning against the Marlins on Friday to earn his fourth save of the season. He struck out one batter and issued one walk.

EDGE Analysis

Activated earlier in the day, Anderson was thrust into a save chance in his very first appearance back from a forearm injury. He needed 22 pitches to record three outs, but Anderson got the job done, and manager Kevin Cash's bullpen management Friday hints at Anderson being the preferred closing option moving forward. Peter Fairbanks and Diego Castillo pitched the seventh and eighth innings, respectively.