NEW YORK — The Rays pitching staff took another big blow on Friday with Drew Rasmussen going on the 60-day injured list with a flexor strain in his right arm.
Rasmussen hopes to avoid Tommy John surgery — which he has undergone twice in his career in March 2016 and August 2017. «Unfortunately this is a part of the game,» Rasmussen said. «There's always a risk taking the ball.» The injury was a surprise after Rasmussen went seven shutout innings against the Yankees on Thursday night during a 8-2 win.
The righty struck out seven, allowed two hits and threw 56 of his 76 pitches for strikes. Rasmussen noticed something was wrong when he noticed his velocity was down and his pitches did not have the same shape during the seventh inning.
Once he reported the pain to the team, manager Kevin Cash pulled the starter. «Just more nerve sensitivity,» Rasmussen said. «Not any severe pain.