Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Prepping as starter

Rasmussen threw live batting practice Wednesday and is preparing for the season as a starter, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Rasmussen has been limited to only 24 total appearances across the last two seasons due to elbow issues, and he didn't pitch more than two innings in any outing in 2024 after returning to the mound in early August. However, he'll be set to work on a five-day starter's schedule throughout spring, something he believes will keep him healthier rather than potentially pitching back-to-back days out of the bullpen. Tampa Bay has a solid five-man unit with Shane McClanahan back after missing all of 2024 due to Tommy John surgery, so Rasmussen may need a strong spring performance combined with some luck to earn a rotation spot to begin the year.