Inside Drew Rasmussen’s return to Rays from 3rd elbow surgery

The physical work of the pitcher’s year-plus rehab was significant, the mental challenges even harder. But “the world’s best human” handled both with grace and determination.

ST. PETERSBURG — Understandably, there were some unsettling and uncertain days last summer as Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen dealt with the reality of needing a third major surgery on his pitching elbow in seven years.

“There’s not that many guys that have had three elbow surgeries that are pitching in the big leagues, so I think that that fear might have got to him a little bit,” Rasmussen’s wife, Stevie said.

Manuel Rodriguez, Edwin Uceta ‘Tremendous’ In Tampa Bay Rays’ Revamped Bullpen

In typical Rays fashion, especially when it comes to the pitching staff, there are not only players ready to step in, but step in and produce. That has certainly been the case with a new-look bullpen that saw Phil Maton dealt three weeks before the July 30 trade deadline and then Jason Adam and Shaun Armstrong leading up to the deadline.

In a 13-game stretch through Friday evening’s loss to Baltimore, the bullpen has a 0.65 ERA (54 2/3 IP, 4 ER) and had a 24-inning scoreless streak snapped by the O’s. (Overall, Rays pitching has an MLB-best 3.03 ERA since the all-star break.)

Drew Rasmussen strikes out 10 | 09/09/2022 | Boston Red Sox

While credit is spread throughout the group, and led by closer Pete Fairbanks, who has converted 12 straight save opportunities and 22 of 24 on the season, right-handers Manuel Rodriguez and Edwin Uceta have been particularly impressive. That is especially the case given their increased roles in the revamped bullpen.

Rodriguez was recalled from Triple-A Durham for the second time this season July 9, the day Maton was traded. The 28-year-old, who spent parts of two seasons (2021-22) with the Cubs and was acquired by Tampa Bay in a minor-league deal last August, has not allowed a run in 17 of his last 18 appearances. The opposition is hitting .118 (4-for-34) against him the last 11 times he has been summoned from ‘pen, including as a set-up man for Fairbanks, a role in which Adam performed so admirably the past two-plus years.

Uceta spent parts of the last three seasons with as many different teams before signing with the Rays in December. The 26-year-old has logged an ERA of 1.19 in 13 appearances and 22 2/3 innings. He was initially called up from Durham in May and then again in late June when righthander Chris Devenski was designated for assignment.