Baz (elbow) said that he's been cleared to resume a throwing program Monday and remains hopeful he'll return from the 60-day injured list before the end of the season, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Baz is ready to begin the ramp-up process following a four-week shutdown due to a right elbow sprain. Given that Baz missed the first two months of the season after requiring an arthroscopic procedure on his elbow in late March, the Rays are likely to proceed cautiously with him during his throwing program. At this stage of the season, Baz may not have enough time to build up for a starting role, but if he avoids any setbacks during the rehab process, he could have some value to the Rays as a multi-inning arm out of the bullpen down the stretch.

Baz (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Saturday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Baz hit the injured list Thursday with a right elbow sprain. He'll be shut down for a month after receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection, so he likely wouldn't have had a chance to return within 60 days even without this transaction. He'll now be officially unable to make it back before September 9, and it's not yet clear if he'll be ready to return on that date or at any point over the last month of the regular season.

The Rays placed Baz on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a right elbow sprain after he experienced discomfort while playing catch Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. He'll receive a platelet-rich plasma injection for the elbow and will rest and rehab for a month before being re-evaluated, according to Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Even if he's cleared to resume throwing following the four-week shutdown, Baz will likely need at least a couple weeks to get ramped back up for game action, so fantasy managers probably shouldn't count on the right-hander making his way back from the IL until at least early September. That reality likely makes Baz a comfortable drop in most redraft leagues, and his injury could prompt the Rays to explore acquiring another starting pitcher prior to the Aug. 2 trade deadline. After opening the season on the IL while recovering from arthroscopic surgery on the same elbow, Baz debuted June 11 and produced a 5.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 30:9 K:BB in 27 innings before succumbing to another elbow-related setback.

Baz (1-2) allowed seven runs on eight hits over 2.1 innings Sunday, striking out two and taking a loss against the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

Baz turned in a pair of scoreless frames before the Reds tagged him for seven runs in the third. He gave up three two-run homers in the inning to Jonathan India, Tyler Stephenson and Mike Moustakas. The 23-year-old righty had allowed just two home runs through 24.2 frames entering Sunday's start. Baz now owns an unsightly 5.00 ERA with a 30:9 K:BB over six starts. He's lined up to face Baltimore at home next week.

Baz (1-1) allowed one run on seven hits and two walks over six innings Sunday, striking out seven and earning a win over Toronto.

EDGE Analysis

The lone run given up by Baz came during the third inning on Vladimir Guerrero's RBI single. After coughing up five runs in his season debut, the 23-year-old righty has allowed three runs with a 26:6 K:BB over his last 22.1 frames. He lowered his season ERA to 2.92 with 28 punchouts through five outings. Baz is lined up to start in Cincinnati next weekend.

Baz allowed a run on three hits and two walks while striking out six in 5.2 innings. He did not factor into the decision in Tuesday's 5-3 loss against Milwaukee.

EDGE Analysis

Baz held the Brewers scoreless through the first five innings, scattering two singles and two walks. After allowing a leadoff single in the sixth, he fanned the next two batters and was removed from the ballgame, having thrown a season-high 95 pitches, rather than facing Andrew McCutchen. Matt Wisler came in and promptly allowed a pair of two-out, two-run homers. The 23-year-old has been excellent over his last three starts, allowing two runs in 16.1 innings while posting a 19:4 K:BB.

Baz did not factor in the decision against the Yankees on Wednesday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks while striking out six over 4.2 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Baz held New York scoreless through three innings before serving up a solo homer to Aaron Judge in the fourth. The right-handed hurler began to falter in the fifth, allowing three straight hitters to reach base on a single and two walks with one out, but he struck out Judge with the bases loaded before giving way to a reliever. Baz was one out away from qualifying for the win when he was pulled, though that detail was made moot when the Yankees came back to win. After allowing five runs over 2.1 innings in his first start of the season June 11, Baz has bounced back to allow only one run across 10.2 frames while racking up 13 strikeouts in his subsequent pair of outings.

Baz yielded two hits over six scoreless frames in Friday's loss to Baltimore. He struck out seven and did not factor in the decision.

EDGE Analysis

Baz looked much better in his second start of the season, allowing just three baserunners in the clean outing. He threw 48 of 76 pitches for strikes, including 14 whiffs, and struck out the side in his final frame. He's sporting a 5.40 ERA through 8.1 frames after missing the start of the season due to an elbow injury. Baz is projected to face the Yankees at home next week.

Baz (0-1) gave up five runs on three hits and three walks in 2.1 innings while striking out just two batters Saturday against the Twins, picking up the loss in his season debut.

EDGE Analysis

Baz entered the season with plenty of hype, but arthroscopic elbow surgery in late March kept him on the shelf for the first two months of the campaign. His season debut certainly didn't go as he would have liked, as the Twins scored five runs in the third inning on a Luis Arraez grand slam and a Jose Miranda double. One bad outing shouldn't dent Baz's significant pedigree, though it does serve as a reminder that expecting dominance immediately after a return from elbow surgery may have been unwise. He'll look to get back on track next week, when he lines up to face the Orioles on Friday.

Baz (elbow) was activated from the 60-day injured list Saturday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Baz was expected to make his season debut Saturday, and with the Rays adding him to the active roster, he will do just that. Baz threw 79 pitches in his final rehab outing, so he should not be particularly limited in his first big-league outing of the season. Baz can be considered the top pitching prospect in the league, and he will look to pick up where he left off after posting a 2.03 ERA, 0.68 WHIP and 18:3 K:BB across the 13.1 innings he tossed for the Rays late last season.