DREW RASMUSSEN NEWS

Harris' 2-run homer in the ninth lifts Braves over Rays 5-4 for their first road win

Michael Harris II hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning to give the Atlanta Braves a 5-4 comeback victory over the Tampa Bay Rays for their first road win of the season

APRIL 12 • Associated Press

Braves take road losing streak into matchup against the Rays

The Atlanta Braves will try to stop their eight-game road slide in a matchup with the Tampa Bay Rays

APRIL 12 • Associated Press

Posts another great start Rasmussen earned one run on three hits and a walk while striking out four in five innings Sunday against the Rangers. He did not factor the decision.

Impact Rasmussen was fantastic again Sunday and was able to generate a ton of weak contact with his cutter. The Rangers managed just three singles against him, though two of them came in the third, leading to a run. Rasmussen's command continues to be a strength of his. Up until his fourth inning walk, the 30-year-old righty had not walked a batter in six straight starts. He'll look to keep it rolling in a home start versus Atlanta next weekend.

APRIL 7 • ROTOWIRE

Rays bring 3-game losing streak into matchup against the Rangers

The Tampa Bay Rays aim to end a three-game slide with a win against the Texas Rangers

APRIL 6 • Associated Press

Langford's 2-run homer in the seventh inning lifts Rangers past Rays 6-4 for 4th straight win

Wyatt Langford hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the seventh inning after Jacob deGrom allowed a four-run lead to slip away and the Texas Rangers beat the Tampa Bay Rays 6-4 for thei...

APRIL 6 • Associated Press

3 takeaways: Pirates' offense continues early struggles at the plate TAMPA, Fla. — The Pirates fell to the Rays by a final score of 6-1 Monday evening at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Drew Rasmussen was the ga...

APRIL 1 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Shines with five two-hit innings Rasmussen (1-0) picked up the win after allowing two hits and no walks in five scoreless innings Monday against the Pirates. He struck out four.

Impact Rasmussen was sharp in season debut Monday, scattering two singles against a Pittsburgh lineup that offered little to no resistance. The right-hander made just four starts (16 appearances) a year ago after missing most of 2023 due to an internal brace procedure, but he should serve as a full-time member of Tampa Bay's rotation this season. Rasmussen's next appearance is slated to come this weekend in Texas, which would be a tougher test.

APRIL 1 • ROTOWIRE

Jake Mangum goes 4 for 4 in second MLB game to help the Rays beat Pirates 6-1 in first night game

Jake Mangum got two hits from each side of the plate to finish 4 for 4 in his second major league game, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-1 in their first game u...

APRIL 1 • Associated Press

Mangum's hot bat (4-for-4) aids Rasmussen's triumphant return to rotation TAMPA -- Drew Rasmussen waited 689 days for this start, his first outing back in the Rays’ rotation. Jake Mangum waited his entire life for...

APRIL 1 • MLB.COM

Finding success at their temporary home, Rays open series with Pirates Fully recovered from an elbow procedure that cost him much of the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Tampa Bay right-hander Drew Rasmussen will return t...

MARCH 31 • SACBEE.COM

Pirates visit the Rays to open 3-game series

The Tampa Bay Rays begin a three-game series at home against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday

MARCH 31 • Associated Press

Brandon Lowe hits 2-run homer as Rays beat Rockies 6-4

Brandon Lowe hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the first and the Tampa Bay Rays never trailed Sunday in their 6-4 win over the Colorado Rockies

MARCH 30 • Associated Press

Seems to have rotation spot Rasmussen threw 4.2 scoreless innings, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out three in Friday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta.

Impact Rasmussen continues to ramp up, with Friday's outing marking his longest of the spring. He's been in a battle for the rotation spot for the last month, though Joe Boyle was demoted to Triple-A Durham on Saturday while Shane McClanahan (triceps) won't be ready to begin the season. That seemingly sets up Rasmussen to occupy a rotation spot.

MARCH 23 • ROTOWIRE

Progresses to four innings Rasmussen allowed three earned runs on five hits while striking out six and walking none across four innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.

Impact This marked Rasmussen's second official spring start, though he completed three innings in a live batting practice session March 9. In addition to impressively striking out six batters, his was something of a milestone for Rasmussen as he hadn't completed more than two innings since May of 2023 due to an elbow injury. Per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, Rasmussen is operating as a starter, but it remains unclear how the Rays will sort out their starting rotation to begin the season.

MARCH 16 • ROTOWIRE

Two innings in spring debut Rasmussen threw two scoreless innings allowing one hit and one walk in Monday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta.

Impact Rasmussen has dealt with elbow injuries across the last two seasons, severely limiting his innings. However, he's still being stretched out as a starter this spring and managed 29 pitches in his exhibition season debut. Per Adam Berry of MLB.com, manager Kevin Cash has stated the team will use common sense when monitoring Rasmussen's workload, which could mean he is initially used in shorter stints or his turn through the rotation is occasionally skipped.

MARCH 6 • ROTOWIRE

Prepping as starter Rasmussen threw live batting practice Wednesday and is preparing for the season as a starter, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Rasmussen has been limited to only 24 total appearances across the last two seasons due to elbow issues, and he didn't pitch more than two innings in any outing in 2024 after returning to the mound in early August. However, he'll be set to work on a five-day starter's schedule throughout spring, something he believes will keep him healthier rather than potentially pitching back-to-back days out of the bullpen. The Rays have seven potential starters, so it is unclear how they will craft their rotation to begin the 2025 campaign.

FEBRUARY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Rays finalize 2-year extension with Rasmussen TAMPA, Fla. -- The Rays have finalized a two-year contract extension with Drew Rasmussen, giving the right-hander some financial certainty a...

JANUARY 7 • MLB.COM

Drew Rasmussen and Rays agree to $8.5M, 2-year deal that could be worth $28M over 3 seasons

Right-hander Drew Rasmussen and the Tampa Bay Rays avoided salary arbitration, agreeing to an $8.5 million, two-year contract that could be worth up to $28 million over three seaso...

JANUARY 7 • Associated Press

Agrees to contract extension The Rays and Rasmussen avoided arbitration Tuesday by agreeing to a two-year, $8 million contract extension, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact The deal also includes an $8 million club option for 2027 which could escalate to as high as $20 million if Rasmussen reaches all of his health and innings pitched incentives. There's a $500,000 buyout attached to the option, so the right-hander is guaranteed a total of $8.5 million with the extension. Rasmussen looked sharp in 2024 in his return from an internal brace procedure, holding a 2.83 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 35:6 K:BB over 28.2 innings. He is expected to return to the rotation full-time in 2025, although he will have significant workload restrictions in place after totaling just 80.2 frames since the start of the 2023 season.

JANUARY 7 • ROTOWIRE

Earns two-inning save Rasmussen earned the save against the Blue Jays on Saturday, striking out three over two perfect innings.

Impact Rasmussen totaled 28 pitches over two innings and earned his first save since 2021. The 29-year-old has posted a 2.55 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 29:6 K:BB across 24.2 innings this season while working as an opener and reliever.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Jonathan Aranda homers as the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-2

Jonathan Aranda homered for the second consecutive game, helping Taj Bradley and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-2

SEPTEMBER 21, 2024 • Associated Press

Story homers and scores winning run as Red Sox beat Rays 2-1

Trevor Story homered in the sixth inning then scored the winning run on Jarren Duran’s single in the eighth as the Boston Red Sox beat the Tampa Bay Rays 2-1

SEPTEMBER 19, 2024 • Associated Press

Rays face the Guardians with 2-0 series lead

The Tampa Bay Rays bring a 2-0 advantage into the next game of the series against the Cleveland Guardians

SEPTEMBER 14, 2024 • Associated Press

Opening Saturday Rasmussen will serve as the Rays' opener for Saturday's game versus the Guardians, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Rasmussen has put up a 2.79 ERA and 1.09 WHIP across 19.1 innings this season, and he'll now be entrusted with at least the first three batters of Saturday's contest, though most of his appearances this season have lasted two full innings. Tyler Alexander is expected to handle bulk-relief duties once Rasmussen exits.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Takes first loss Rasmussen (0-1) allowed one earned run in two hits and a walk while striking out one to take the loss against the Phillies.

Impact Rasmussen has pitched in a multi-inning relief role since being activated from the injured list Aug. 7. He has been effective the majority of the time, turning in eight scoreless appearances in 11 chances while also tallying two holds. Even in Wednesday's loss, Rasmussen wasn't hit particularly hard as he surrendered two singles to account for the majority of the damage against him.

SEPTEMBER 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE