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LATEST NEWS
May 21: Recalled RHP Cooper Criswell from Triple-A Durham; optioned RHP Ryan Thompson to Durham
In need of a bulk-inning arm for Sunday’s series finale against the Brewers, the Rays summoned Criswell from Durham to be available behind lefty opener Jalen Beeks. Criswell last pitched in Triple-A on May 13, giving up four runs on nine hits while striking out six over four innings, but has an overall 3.38 ERA over seven outings for the Bulls. Criswell has also made two appearances for Tampa Bay this season, with five earned runs allowed on seven hits and two walks with 10 strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings.
Thompson has had an up-and-down start to the season, with nearly as many walks (seven) as strikeouts (nine) in 15 innings over 16 appearances. Overall, the 30-year-old right-hander has a 6.60 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. The Rays, who have two other side-arming righty relievers in Kevin Kelly and Trevor Kelley, will hope to get Thompson back to his previous form; over 83 outings in 2021-22, he put together a 3.17 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP while averaging roughly a strikeout per inning.
May 20: INF Yandy Díaz (left groin tightness) back in lineup
Díaz was back in the Rays’ lineup Saturday afternoon at Tropicana Field, batting leadoff and playing first base, after sitting out the last four games due to tightness in his left groin. The hot-hitting infielder exited the Rays’ 8-7 win against the Yankees last Sunday due to the injury, but he said Saturday through interpreter Manny Navarro that he had “felt it a little bit a couple of days leading into that.”
Díaz declared himself good to go on Saturday, though he acknowledged he’ll have to monitor the issue moving forward. Manager Kevin Cash said Díaz, who entered the day with an American League-leading 1.022 OPS, wanted to play on Friday, but the club opted to be cautious by giving him another day off his feet.
“Happy to have him back. I would like to work him in and get back to doing what he’s [been doing],” Cash said. “He’s putting together a pretty special season.”
May 19: RHP Tyler Glasnow (left oblique strain) to make another Triple-A rehab start
After cutting his second Minor League rehab start short after just one inning on May 10, Glasnow returned to the mound in dominant fashion on Tuesday and pitched four scoreless innings with nine strikeouts for Triple-A Durham. The big right-hander’s fastball averaged 97.3 mph in that outing and maxed out at 99.4 mph, according to Statcast, and he induced swinging strikes on 16 of the 57 pitches he threw.
“Felt good. Mechanics and everything were back to feeling good, and like, I can go compete and stuff,” Glasnow said. “I felt really good.”
Glasnow returned to Tropicana Field and threw a bullpen session on Friday afternoon, telling manager Kevin Cash he felt “100 percent,” but he is slated for one more rehab start for Durham on Sunday. If all goes well, it seems likely Glasnow will be ready to join Tampa Bay’s rotation and make his season debut before the end of this 10-game homestand against the Brewers, Blue Jays and Dodgers.
INJURY UPDATES
10-day and 15-day IL
RHP Tyler Glasnow (Grade 2 left oblique strain)
Expected return: TBD
Glasnow tossed four scoreless innings for Triple-A Durham on May 16 and is slated for one more rehab start before returning to the big leagues. The plan is for Glasnow to throw about five innings or 75 pitches for Durham on May 21, which would put him in line to return against the Dodgers on May 26 at Tropicana Field.
Glasnow opened the season on the injured list after feeling “a grab” in his left oblique during a live BP session, and he was diagnosed with a Grade 2 strain following an MRI. (Last updated: May 19)
60-day IL
LHP Garrett Cleavinger (right knee sprain)
Expected return: 2024
Cleavinger, who was transferred to the 60-day IL on May 12, was injured in the 10th inning of the Rays’ 8-7 win over the Yankees on May 7 after tumbling to the ground during a rundown along the third-base line. Cleavinger landed awkwardly and quickly gestured toward his knee in obvious pain. Tampa Bay’s athletic training staff brought out a wheelchair to take him off the field, but the lefty declined the offer and attempted to throw a warmup pitch before walking into the dugout. He was diagnosed with a right ACL injury that likely will sideline him for the rest of the 2023 season. (Last updated: May 12)
RHP Drew Rasmussen (right flexor strain)
Expected return: Late August/early September
Rasmussen went on the IL a day after tossing seven scoreless innings in the Rays’ 8-2 victory at Yankee Stadium. He said he believes he will avoid his third Tommy John surgery and will be back after the All-Star break. (Last updated: May 12)
RHP Shawn Armstrong (neck tightness)
Expected return: Late May/early June
Armstrong did not appear in a Spring Training game due to an unspecified neck injury. The club classified his injury only as neck tightness on his right side when he was placed on the injured list to begin the season. Armstrong threw a two-inning bullpen session at Tropicana Field on May 2, manager Kevin Cash said, and “felt good, so that’s encouraging.” He is scheduled to face hitters on May 12 at the club’s extended spring camp. Armstrong could begin a Minor League rehab assignment relatively soon, but he is not eligible to come off the IL until May 29. (Last updated: May 9)
LHP Jeffrey Springs (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: 2024
When Springs exited his start on April 13 at Tropicana Field, the Rays initially announced his injury as ulnar neuritis in his left arm — a nerve issue he described as feeling like “kind of a funny bone, kind of a shock, zinger kind of thing down the forearm” and hand. He was evaluated by Rays team physician Dr. Koco Eaton then received a second opinion from Dr. Keith Meister and transferred to the 60-day IL on April 22. Springs underwent successful Tommy John surgery on April 24, which will keep him out until next season. (Last updated: April 24)
RHP Shane Baz (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: 2024
Baz, who underwent Tommy John surgery on Sept. 28 and will miss all of this season, has enjoyed a smooth rehabilitation process so far. He began playing catch near the end of March and was throwing on flat ground from 60 feet as of April 13, when he was transferred to the 60-day IL. (Last updated: April 13)
RHP Andrew Kittredge (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: July 2023
Kittredge underwent Tommy John surgery on June 22. That will knock out the valuable right-hander for at least the first half of the 2023 season. The ’21 All-Star was placed on the 60-day injured list on March 15 to make room on the 40-man roster for reliever Trevor Kelley and is playing catch up to 150 feet. (Last updated: March 25)
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