Three months after Tyler Glasnow last took the mound in a big-league ballgame, it appears that a window of opportunity could be opening for his return to the big league roster before the end of the season.
Glasnow, out since May 10 with forearm concerns, threw 15 fastballs off the mound on Monday and is scheduled for a pair of bullpen sessions on Wednesday and Friday before moving on to live batting practice next week with the team in Houston. If all goes as planned, he will begin a rehab assignment around August 30 with Class-A Charlotte Stone Crabs.
The speed was relatively game-like, everything felt good, so I’m optimistic, for sure. It feels really good.
— Tyler Glasnow
Glasnow’s return comes with a caveat, however: the right-hander likely will not be built up as a starter and will, instead, be used as a relief option if all goes well over the next few weeks.
I’m going to rehab initially out of the ‘pen, I believe. I don’t know if I’ll build up to two innings, I’m not sure. I’m sure it’ll all depend on how I’m feeling with the recovery and whatnot. However they want to use me, I’m down to do whatever.
— Tyler Glasnow
As Juan Toribio (MLB.com) writes, Rays skipper Kevin Cash hasn’t given thought to how the Rays will use Glasnow.
Rays manager Kevin Cash said that the team hasn’t given any thought if Glasnow would be used as an opener or in the backend of the bullpen. Regardless of his role, if Tampa Bay can get Glasnow, who led the American League with a 1.86 ERA before landing on the 60-day injured list, he’ll give the Rays an added boost as they look to secure one of the two American League Wildcard spots.
— Juan Toribio
Meanwhile, another hurler working his way back from an injury, southpaw Blake Snell, is on track to return in September.
Tampa Bay is also missing a few banged-up position players, including Brandon Lowe, Joey Wendle, and Avisail Garcia. There’s positive news on all three.
Lowe is progressing in his rehab assignment, which has been moved to Triple-A Durham.
Lowe continues to progress and said he feels good in spite of “not being 100%” with the injury. His biggest challenges thus far have been his mobility, although he told Toribio that he’s taken significant strides in those areas and hopes to return during the next road trip.
I’m itching to get back. I’m hoping that it’s not very long, but it’s something we’re going to find out while we’re (in Durham) and test it.
— Brandon Lowe
As with Lowe, Wendle has been trending in the right direction as he works his way back from a wrist injury that he suffered in late July. The infielder said his wrist feels good and hopes to return after a handful of games with Durham.
Everything is feeling really good. It’s just a matter of getting some at-bats and making sure when I come back I’m productive and ready to go.
— Joey Wendle
As for Garcia, who was placed on the IL on Wednesday with an oblique strain, an MRI on Friday revealed that the injury isn’t especially serious, and the outfielder probably won’t miss more than the minimum of 10 days on the IL. Garcia took batting practice in the cage on Monday, and the plan is for him to take on-field batting practice on Tuesday, and then play one rehab game towards the end of this week.