Rays manager Kevin Cash said Baz (elbow) is on track to come off the 60-day injured list to start Saturday's game in Minnesota, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

As anticipated, Baz will be ready to make his season debut this weekend after he recently wrapped up a four-start rehab assignment at Triple-A Durham. In his most recent outing Sunday, Baz struck out 10 over 4.1 innings while building up to 79 pitches, so he shouldn't face any significant restrictions with his workload in his first start with the Rays. In his first taste of the big leagues late last season, Baz produced a 2.03 ERA, 0.68 WHIP and 18:3 K:BB across 13.1 innings over his three starts.

Baz (elbow) will rejoin the Rays' rotation during their upcoming series in Minnesota, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Baz made his fourth rehab start at Triple-A Durham on Sunday and allowed a run on four hits and a walk while striking out 10 in 4.1 innings. He built up to 79 pitches in the start and will rejoin the Rays' rotation after Ryan Yarbrough was sent down Tuesday. The team hasn't yet revealed which game Baz will start during the three-game series against the Twins, but it seems likely that he'll take the mound Saturday or Sunday.

Baz (elbow) struck out 10 over 4.1 innings Sunday in his fourth rehab start with Triple-A Durham. He was charged with one earned run on four hits and a walk.

EDGE Analysis

The 10 strikeouts equaled a career-high for Baz, who built up to 79 pitches in the outing and looks ready to return from the 60-day injured list to make his next start in the big leagues. In order to make room for Baz in the rotation, the Rays could either choose to expand from a five-man to a six-man setup or demote Ryan Yarbrough to the bullpen, after the lefty was lit up for six runs in 1.2 innings Sunday in Tampa Bay's loss to the White Sox. Either way, fantasy managers who have stashing Baz on the IL should be prepared to activate him ahead of his 2022 Rays debut, which will likely come Saturday or Sunday in Minnesota.

Baz (elbow) worked around one hit and one walk while striking out four over four scoreless innings in his third rehab start for Triple-A Durham on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Baz has now looked good in each of his three rehab starts, but the Rays have been ramping him up slowly as he works his way back from the arthroscopic right elbow procedure he underwent in late March. He built up to 56 pitches Monday, so the Rays may want to see him get stretched out to 70-to-80 pitches over one final rehab start before activating him from the 60-day injured list. Baz is first eligible to rejoin the Rays on June 6.

Baz (elbow) allowed one hit and one run while striking out five and walking none across 2.1 innings Thursday during a rehab appearance with Triple-A Durham.

EDGE Analysis

Baz made his first rehab appearance since undergoing elbow surgery March 21. He allowed a leadoff home run to Lewin Diaz in the second inning but racked up plenty of swings and misses otherwise. Baz threw only 24 pitches and is not eligible to return from the injured list until early June, so he will likely make a few more outings with Durham.

Baz (elbow) will start his rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham on Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

After undergoing elbow surgery in March, Baz has slowly been working his way back and will now take another step forward Thursday. The 22-year-old is expected to pitch two innings and will look to build off that moving forward as he will need multiple rehab outings before rejoining the Rays. The former first-round pick started three games for Tampa Bay in 2021, producing an impressive 2.03 ERA and 0.68 WHIP with 18 punchouts over 13.1 frames. Baz is eligible to be reinstated from the injured list June 6.

Baz (elbow) is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session Monday, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Facing live hitters marks the next step forward in the rehab process for Baz, who has been sidelined since undergoing arthroscopic surgery in late March to remove loose bodies from his right elbow. He initiated a throwing program just over two weeks ago and has thus far checked out fine while advancing from long tossing to pitching bullpen sessions, which seemingly keeps him on pace to return from the 60-day injured list when first eligible June 6. For that to become a reality, however, Baz will need to avoid any setbacks upon facing hitters and eventually, making multiple minor-league starts as part of a rehab assignment.

Baz (elbow) is expected to throw live BP in early May, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Baz resumed throwing in mid-April, and he'll take a significant step in his recovery process once he's cleared to face hitters. The right-hander isn't eligible to rejoin the major-league club until at least June 6, but it's possible that he'll be able to begin a rehab assignment at some point in May.

Baz (elbow) has resumed throwing and completed a session on flat ground from 75 feet April 16, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Baz underwent arthroscopic elbow surgery in late March and was ultimately shifted to the 60-day injured list April 16. He'll be eligible to be activated June 6, though it remains unclear whether he will be ready to retake the mound at that point.

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

EDGE Analysis

Baz underwent arthroscopic elbow surgery in late March. The Rays are evidently in no rush to bring him back, as he'll now be ineligible to pitch in the majors until early June. Whether or not he'll have a chance to be activated when first eligible is unclear. The move clears space on the 40-man roster for the Rays to add Javy Guerra, who was acquired in exchange for cash considerations Saturday.