Rasmussen allowed two earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out six across six innings Wednesday against the Yankees. He did not factor into the decision.
Rasmussen allowed a pair of solo home runs but otherwise held the Yankees in check. After having his workload limited during a brief stretch in July, Rasmussen has now turned in three consecutive quality starts. He's allowed only four runs (three earned) across 18 innings in that span, maintaining an excellent 15:2 K:BB.
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Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Notches win No. 10
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Rasmussen (10-5) earned the win over the Athletics on Wednesday, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and no walks while striking out five batters over six innings.
The only earned run Rasmussen allowed came on a Lawrence Butler solo shot in the third inning. The righty hurler was otherwise sharp and efficient, throwing 58 of 76 pitches for strikes en route to his second straight quality start. Pushing that out further, Rasmussen hasn't given up more than two earned runs in any of his past seven starts, posting a 2.08 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 28:4 K:BB across 30.1 frames during that span. He's one of just 14 MLB pitchers to reach double-digit wins on the campaign so far.
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Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Strong start wasted Friday
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Rasmussen came away with a no-decision in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Mariners, scattering four hits over six scoreless innings. He struck out four without walking a batter.
The right-hander put up nothing but goose eggs for the second straight trip to the mound, firing 55 of 79 pitches for strikes in his fifth quality start of the year, but Rasmussen saw his 10th win slip away when Griffin Jax melted down in the eighth inning. Rasmussen has worked at least five innings in three straight outings and thrown more than 70 pitches in four straight as the Rays ease his workload restrictions while trying to stay in the AL wild-card picture, and since the All-Star break he sports a 1.77 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 20:3 K:BB over 20.1 innings. He'll look to keep rolling in his next start, which lines up to come on the road next week against the A's.
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Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Blanks Dodgers for ninth win
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Rasmussen (9-5) picked up the win in Saturday's 4-0 victory over the Dodgers, scattering four hits over 5.1 scoreless innings. He struck out six without walking a batter.
Los Angeles didn't even get a runner into scoring position against Rasmussen, who fired 51 of 73 pitches for strikes before being lifted a couple outs shy of his fifth quality start of the season. The right-hander continues to have his workload monitored by the Rays and hasn't tossed at least six innings since June 8, posting a 3.93 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 34:11 K:BB in 36.2 innings over his last nine outings. Saturday's performance suggests the plan is paying dividends, and Rasmussen is scheduled to make his next start on the road next weekend in Seattle.
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Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Collects eighth win
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Rasmussen (8-5) earned the win Monday against the Yankees, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks with five strikeouts over five innings.
The Tampa Bay righty picked up his first win since June 25, which is also the last time he threw five frames. The Rays have been throttling Rasmussen's innings lately, as his season total now stands at 100.1 after tossing just 73.1 frames over his previous two seasons due to injuries. It didn't look like Rasmussen would qualify for the win after walking home two runs in the opening frame; however, he settled in after and conceded just one additional run over four scoreless innings to wrap his 81-pitch outing. Rasmussen will carry a 2.96 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 87:25 K:BB into his next start against the Dodgers at home this weekend.
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Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Tosses four innings
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Rasmussen allowed two runs on three hits and a walk while striking out five in four innings Tuesday against the White Sox. He did not factor into the decision.
Rasmussen went nine up and nine down to open the game but ran into some trouble in the fourth. He allowed a double, two singles and a walk before a sacrifice fly plated a second run in the inning for the White Sox. Rasmussen exited after tossing 75 pitches, his most in an outing since he threw 92 on June 19. The team reported before the All-Star break that Rasmussen was expected to handle a typical starter's workload when making his next turn through the rotation, but it seems manager Kevin Cash is still being somewhat cautious with Rasmussen's pitch count. The right-hander lines up to toe the rubber again next week on the road versus the Yankees.
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Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Set for normal start after break
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Rasmussen is expected to handle a typical starter's workload when he makes his next turn through the rotation July 22 versus the White Sox in Tampa, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
In an effort to keep his season-long workload under 150 innings after he underwent his third major right elbow surgery in July 2023, Rasmussen was limited to three, two and two innings in his final three starts prior to the All-Star break. In the latter two outings, the Rays deployed Joe Boyle in bulk relief behind him, but Rasmussen looks like he'll be in line for a standalone start in his first appearance of the second half. With Rasmussen sitting at 91.1 innings on the season, the Rays are still likely to manage his workload to some degree over the next two and a half months, but he should remain usable in most fantasy leagues so long as he's covering around five or six frames in his starts. Rasmussen owns a modest 21.7 percent strikeout rate for the season but has provided an excellent 2.86 ERA and 1.03 WHIP while gathering seven wins through 19 outings.
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Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Solid in short start
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Rasmussen did not factor into the decision in Friday's 5-4 loss to Boston, allowing one run on three hits and one walk while striking out one over two innings.
Rasmussen surrendered his lone run in the second inning before exiting at the end of the frame. The Rays have been transparent about managing his workload, and this marked his third straight appearance without completing more than three innings. Over that span, the right-hander has allowed six earned runs on 11 hits while striking out five across seven total innings
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Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Will be used in tandem with Boyle
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Rays manager Kevin Cash suggested after Sunday's 7-5 extra-inning win over the Twins that he intends to use Rasmussen as an opener in front of bulk reliever Joe Boyle for at least a few more turns through the rotation, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
After Rasmussen was used primarily in relief late in the 2024 campaign upon completing his recovery from a July 2023 internal brace procedure -- the third major elbow surgery of his career -- the Rays moved the right-hander back into the rotation on a full-time basis this season with the aim of limiting him to around 150 innings in 2025. Just over halfway into the campaign, Rasmussen has already compiled 89.1 innings, and despite the fact he's turned in a shiny 2.82 ERA and 1.01 WHIP through 18 starts, the Rays will stick to their plan of managing his workload so that he can be available in some capacity through the rest of the regular season and potentially into the playoffs. The Rays took the first step in curtailing Rasmussen's workload Sunday, when he was lifted after allowing one run in two innings before Boyle took over to cover the next five frames. Cash didn't go into specifics regarding how long the Rasmussen/Boyle pairing might be used or if Rasmussen would remain capped at around two innings when he's deployed in a tandem, but the arrangement is undoubtedly a negative development for the 29-year-old from a fantasy standpoint. In addition to not being able to qualify for wins if he regularly pitches fewer than five innings in starts, Rasmussen's impact in the ratio categories would also become more muted with lighter innings counts.
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Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Operates as opener Sunday
Rotowire
Rasmussen took a no-decision in his start during Sunday's 7-5 extra-inning win over the Twins, striking out two while allowing one earned run on three hits and no walks over two innings.
Though the Rays didn't make a formal announcement regarding their plans for Rasmussen heading into the day, the right-hander ended up serving as a glorified opener in his shortest start of the season in terms of both innings and pitches (32). Tampa Bay called up Joe Boyle from Triple-A Durham ahead of Sunday's contest and used him in bulk relief behind Rasmussen, with the righty giving up one unearned run over five innings. The Rays' exact plans for Rasmussen moving forward aren't known, but because he's already accrued 89.1 innings on the season and is only two years removed from the third major right elbow surgery of his career, it wouldn't be surprising if Boyle piggybacks Rasmussen in his next turn through the rotation next weekend in Boston. With a 7-2 record, 2.82 ERA and 1.01 WHIP through 18 outings, Rasmussen has thus far been a screaming value for his draft-day investors, but if 2-to-4-inning starts become the norm for him, he would lose a significant amount of fantasy appeal.
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Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Has shortest start of season
Rotowire
Rasmussen took a no-decision after throwing three innings, allowing four runs on five hits and one walk while striking out two, during Monday's 6-4 loss to the Athletics.
Rasmussen has pitched into at least the fifth inning in each of his 16 prior starts, but didn't even make it into the fourth inning Monday. The 29-year-old allowed four runs, tied for his most in an outing all year, and only threw 54 pitches before his evening came to an end. It was an early ambush from the Athletics that accounted for most of the damage, with Shea Langeliers hitting just the third home run that Rasmussen has allowed in his last nine starts. The right-hander will have a chance to rebound over the weekend as his next scheduled start is Sunday at the Twins.
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Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Five shutout innings in seventh win
Rotowire
Rasmussen (7-5) tallied the win Wednesday against the Royals, giving up no runs on two hits and two walks in five innings. He struck out five.
Wednesday marked the seventh scoreless start of the year for Rasmussen, who scattered two singles. The 29-year-old right-hander was somewhat curiously pulled after throwing just 62 pitches, his fewest of the season, but it appears the Rays are remaining cautious about his workload after he missed over a year of action across 2023 and 2024 due to elbow surgery. Rasmussen has yet to toss greater than six innings in any of his 16 outings, but he still owns an outstanding 2.45 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 72:20 K:BB across 84.1 frames. His next start is projected to come at home versus the Athletics.
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Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Takes loss versus Orioles
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Rasmussen (6-5) allowed two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out five over 5.1 innings to take the loss Thursday versus the Orioles.
Rasmussen pitched well for the most part, but he allowed a leadoff single to Gunnar Henderson in the sixth inning that sparked Baltimore's rally. Reliever Edwin Uceta couldn't stop the bleeding, and after he allowed the inherited runner to score, Rasmussen ended up taking his first loss since May 11. He had allowed just six runs over 34 innings across his previous six starts, and Thursday's effort was by no means a bad performance. The right-hander has maintained a 2.61 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 67:18 K:BB over 79.1 innings through 15 starts this season. Rasmussen is projected for a road start in Kansas City his next time out.
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Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Quality start vs. Marlins
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Rasmussen allowed two runs on six hits and a walk in a no-decision Sunday against Miami. He struck out three.
While Rasmussen's four-start scoreless streak ended in the first inning Sunday, the right-hander was able to settle in and hold the Marlins to one run over his final five frames, picking up a fourth quality start in his last five outings. The 29-year-old Rasmussen's ERA sits at 2.22 through 13 starts (69 innings) this year with a 0.90 WHIP and 59:14 K:BB. He's currently slated to face the Mets on the road in his next outing.
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Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Blanks Jays for third win
Rotowire
Rasmussen (3-4) picked up the win Friday, allowing four hits and two walks over six scoreless innings in a 3-1 victory over the Blue Jays. He struck out three.
It's the second straight quality start, and second straight scoreless outing, for Rasmussen, who kept Toronto's bats in check despite generating only four swinging strikes among his 76 pitches (43 strikes). The 29-year-old righty has given up more than three runs only once in 10 trips to the mound this season, and he'll take a 2.60 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 43:12 K:BB through 52 innings into his next start, which lines up to come at home next week against the Twins.
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Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Tosses six scoreless in win
Rotowire
Rasmussen (2-4) earned the win against the Marlins on Saturday, allowing four hits and no walks while striking out five over six scoreless innings.
Rasmussen needed only 81 pitches to complete six frames for the first time this year. While Saturday marked his first win since his season debut March 31, the 29-year-old has allowed three earned runs or fewer in eight of nine starts. He'll carry a 2.93 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 40:10 K:BB across 46 innings into a home matchup with the Blue Jays next weekend.
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Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Allows two homers in loss
Rotowire
Rasmussen (1-4) took the loss against the Brewers on Sunday, allowing three runs on four hits and one walk with three strikeouts over five innings.
Rasmussen surrendered back-to-back home runs in the fourth inning and was charged with his third straight loss. He's now allowed three earned runs or more in four of his past five outings and hasn't recorded a win since his season debut. Still, the 29-year-old owns a solid 3.38 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 35:10 K:BB across 40 innings and lines up for a favorable matchup with the Marlins next weekend.
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Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Takes loss in short outing
Rotowire
Rasmussen (1-3) yielded three runs on five hits and two walks over 4.1 innings Tuesday, striking out two and taking a loss against the Phillies.
Rasmussen was not very effective Tuesday, but all the damage against him came during the second inning. He gave up a solo shot to Kyle Schwarber followed by Alec Bohm's two-run homer. Rasmussen completed at least five innings in each of his first six starts but has yet to finish six frames in any outing this year. Despite some recent shakiness (10 earned runs over his last 14.1 innings), he still owns a 3.09 ERA with a 32:9 K:BB through 35 innings. Rasmussen is currently lined up for a home matchup with the Brewers this weekend.
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Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Pitches five innings once again
Rotowire
Rasmussen allowed four runs on five hits and one walk while striking out five in five innings Thursday against Arizona. He didn't factor into the decision.
Although Rasmussen did yield a season-high four runs and five hits, he still pitched at least five innings in his fifth straight start to open the campaign. The right-hander also gave up his first homer, a leadoff solo shot in the fifth frame to Tim Tawa, but it's been a steady beginning to the season overall. Rasmussen will be looking to reach the 90-pitch marker for the first time this year in his next start, which is poised to come versus the Royals at home. He boasts a 2.10 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 27:6 K:BB over 25.2 innings.
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Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Takes loss despite strong outing
Rotowire
Rasmussen (1-1) took the loss against the Yankees on Friday, allowing one run on three hits and three walks while striking out seven across 5.2 innings.
Rasmussen put together another strong performance Friday, tossing 84 pitches (58 strikes) while generating 17 whiffs and fanning seven batters for a second straight game. The RBI single that he gave up to Trent Grisham in the second inning was Rasmussen's only blemish, but he still came away with the loss due to the lack of run support from the Tampa Bay offense. Rasmussen has allowed only two runs across his four outings and sports a 0.82 WHIP and 22:5 K:BB in 20.2 innings. He's in line to face the Diamondbacks on the road next week.
