Baz was scratched from his start Thursday with Triple-A Durham due to back spasms, Patrick Kinas of Westwood One Sports, reports.

EDGE Analysis

Baz had been under consideration to make his major-league debut Friday. However, it's now clear why Luis Patino will be called upon instead. There's no timetable for Baz to return to the mound, and there's a possibility that he won't pitch again this season.

Baz won't start Friday's game against Detroit, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander was in consideration to make his major-league debut Friday, but Luis Patino will instead be pushed up a day. Baz has made 10 starts at Triple-A Durham this year and has recorded a 1.76 ERA and 0.85 WHIP in 46 innings.

Baz is in consideration to start Friday's game against the Tigers, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Rays haven't yet named a starter for Friday's matchup, but Triple-A Durham will now have a bullpen game Friday after Baz was initially slated to start. The right-hander returned to the mound Saturday after he dealt with a stomach virus recently, and he allowed one run on three hits and a walk while striking out 10 in six innings.

Baz (illness) started Saturday for Triple-A Durham in its 6-1 win over Norfolk, covering six innings and allowing one earned run on three hits and a walk while striking out 10.

EDGE Analysis

The 22-year-old righty didn't miss a beat in his return to the mound after a stomach virus resulted in him being pushed back a couple days in Durham's pitching schedule. Since earning a promotion from Double-A Montgomery in mid-June, Baz has submitted a 1.76 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 64:11 K:BB in 46 innings. He could be in the mix for a call-up to the big leagues in the second half of September as the Rays look to strengthen their pitching staff ahead of the postseason.

Baz was scratched from his scheduled Thursday start at Triple-A Durham because of stomach virus symptoms.

EDGE Analysis

The Rays don't seem at all worried about Baz needing to miss extended time, as they are hopeful he'll be able to take the ball for the Bulls at some point over the weekend. Baz has continued to impress of late, allowing just two earned runs across his last three outings (14 innings).

Baz has tossed seven innings across two outings since returning to Triple-A Durham after a monthlong absence for the Olympics, giving up two runs on four hits with a 9:0 K:BB.

EDGE Analysis

They've eased him back in after his lengthy absence, continuing the Rays' trend of treating Baz with kid gloves. He's yet to exceed five innings all season long, and that'll probably remain the case down the stretch. Despite his somewhat limited workload, this has been a breakthrough season for Baz, who struggled with his control in years past but has a spectacular 91:10 K:BB in 62.2 innings this season. He'll likely reach the big leagues next year, but it won't be a surprise if the Rays continue monitoring his innings.

Baz tied a season high with 10 strikeouts across five innings in his start Sunday for Triple-A Durham. He gave up two hits and issued no walks in the 71-pitch outing.

EDGE Analysis

The Rays have deliberately capped Baz's pitch counts in each of his first three starts at Triple-A, but the 22-year-old right-hander hasn't been phased by the move to the higher level. He was named the Triple-A Player of the Week after striking out 15 while permitting one run in 10 innings across his two starts. Between stops at Durham and Double-A Montgomery, Baz has accrued a 2.12 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 69:5 K:BB in 46.2 innings. A 2021 call-up to the big leagues isn't out of the question for Baz, particularly if the 47-32 Rays fancy themselves as World Series contenders.

Baz was promoted to Triple-A Durham on Monday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Baz began the season with Double-A Montgomery and was dominant with a 2.48 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 49:2 K:BB in 32.2 innings across seven starts. The right-hander also impressed during spring training and incorporated a changeup into his arsenal. He's slated to make his Triple-A debut Wednesday.

Baz owns a 2.93 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 43:2 K:BB across the 27.2 innings covering his six starts for Double-A Montgomery thus far in 2021.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander has been a tough-luck loser on multiple occasions as evidenced by his 1-4 mark. However, his ability to consistently miss bats has led to Baz leading the Double-A South division in strikeouts, while his 1.9 percent walk rate checks in as the second best at the Double-A level and seventh in all of MiLB, Biscuits play-by-play announcer Chris Adams-Wall reports. Baz also impressed during spring training this year, effectively incorporating a changeup into an arsenal that already included a high-90s fastball and slider.

Baz, who Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports was reassigned to minor league camp Monday, was effective in adding a changeup to his arsenal this spring.

EDGE Analysis

The hard-throwing right-hander, who's recorded four strikeouts over two spring frames thus far, already came in with a highly effective fastball and slider, so the addition of the changeup is likely to make him that much more of a challenge for hitters in the future. Baz could conceivably make his big-league debut sometime in 2021 given his electric stuff, and manager Kevin Cash noted Monday the 21-year-old is also in the midst of developing a curveball.