Rays' Drew Rasmussen takes next step by working 4 innings
PORT CHARLOTTE — The step up from the two innings Drew Rasmussen pitched in a March 3 exhibition game to the three he threw during live batting practice March 9 on a backfield seemed like a big one.
Especially since he hadn’t gone beyond two since returning from the May 2023 elbow injury that led to his third surgery and sidelined him until August 2024.
But throwing four innings (and 50-plus pitches) during Saturday’s 7-7 tie with the Yankees was actually the bigger test.
“It felt pretty good,” Rasmussen said. “It was more than what I remember. But you’ve got to kind of do it. Checking that box off is kind of how you get in shape to where you to get to the point where four doesn’t seem like that tall of a task.”
Rasmussen allowed five hits — only two hard — and three runs but struck out six and didn’t walk any while throwing 54 pitches.
“Pretty solid outing on most fronts,” he said. “It is a steppingstone. I know some guys kind of think that step from two to three innings is kind of a big one. I kind of think that’s three to four for me. And so, to kind of get over that hurdle (Saturday), it’s a really good spot to be right now moving forward.”
The Rays are going to be cautious with Rasmussen, especially early in the season, as he makes his preferred return to the rotation after working in relief last season. He said the plan for now is to be able to get into the fifth inning, with the idea of taking a regular turn in the rotation.
Manager Kevin Cash said he liked what Rasmussen did overall, especially how he reacted after the Yankees got a run off him in the second and two in the third.
“Look, four innings is something he hasn’t touched in a while, so happy with that,” Cash said. “He was efficient. They came out and made some adjustments and started swinging the bat really early. He’s probably the guy to do that on (because) he’s going to fill up the strike zone.
“But what I’m impressed with (is) it doesn’t get him out of the zone. He keeps doing his thing. He had really good stuff.‘’
Taj throws well, too
Taj Bradley also got in some good work on a back field Saturday, throwing 76 pitches over 4 ⅔ innings of live batting practice to a group that included top prospect Carson Williams, Logan Driscoll, Jake Mangum and Bob Seymour.
Bradley, projected as a key member of the rotation, worked specifically on his changeup, which was a major weapon during his nine-start, June-July run last season, when he went 5-1 with an 0.82 ERA.
“Just getting my changeup back to where it was last year during the nine(-start) stint,” he said. “After that, it got a little shaky and stuff like that, and then even last outing it was a little shaky not throwing it for strikes. So, working on some physical cues to have it honed down by (the start of the) season.”
Bradley was pleased to get a fair amount of swing-and-miss but also noted his teammates got some solid hits and said he enjoyed the repartee. He also liked working with, and talking to, new veteran catcher Danny Jansen during the session.
Having missed the first six weeks of last season after straining a pec muscle while warming up for a mid-March exhibition, Bradley, 23, said he has a simple goal for wrapping up camp: “If I can walk away healthy, that’s the biggest factor in spring training.”
Miscellany
Principal owner Stuart Sternberg was at the game and went on the team TV broadcast with Dewayne Staats. When asked about “the stadium situation,” rather than address the plan for the new stadium in St. Petersburg the Rays said Thursday they were halting, Sternberg spoke about the team’s 2025 interim home at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. He called it “a great place to watch baseball” said it was “clean” and “easy to get to.” ... Catching prospect Dominic Keegan, sidelined most of camp with a sore right elbow, has resumed throwing but seems unlikely to be ready for the start of the Triple-A season. Driscoll, the other projected Triple-A catcher, is likely to resume playing in games soon, having been sidelined since Feb. 25 with a sore right ankle.
• • •
Sign up for the Sports Today newsletter to get daily updates on the Bucs, Rays, Lightning and college football across Florida.
Never miss out on the latest with your favorite Tampa Bay sports teams. Follow our coverage on Instagram, X and Facebook.
-
Clay Holmes will start Mets' opener as he makes transition from relief role
New York Mets right-hander Clay Holmes will take the mound on opening day for his first start since 2018. Holmes has worked 9 2/3 shutout innings over three Grapefruit League starts as he moves ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
McAlester tops Latta in 10 innings
LATTA — McAlester nine-hole hitter Jordan Clark came up with a two-out, two-RBI single in the top of the 10th inning to help the Buffaloes clip Latta in an instant classic Thursday night at Panther ...Yahoo Sports - 9h -
With 2 weeks until opener, Rays ‘need to do some things better’
PORT CHARLOTTE — The first month of spring training for the Rays has gone relatively well, with no major injuries or issues, and some signs of offensive spark. But with the March 28 season opener ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Bowling Green hires Eddie George: Ohio State legend takes next step after four years leading Tennessee State
The legendary former Ohio State running back is taking another step up the college coaching ladderCBS Sports - 6d -
Joey Volini keeps BC in check, Drew Faurot hits 2 of FSU's 4 HRs in win
Joey Volini got into trouble a few times only to find his way out of a jam. It wasn't a six-inning masterpiece but the left-hander delivered a tone-setting start in Florida State's opener against ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Nebraska softball holds off Ohio State to get 9-5 Friday night conference win
The Huskers opened up Big Ten play with Ohio State on Friday night. Off three home runs and a nail-biting ninth inning, Nebraska snatched the 9-5 win.Yahoo Sports - 13h -
Braves' Austin Riley leaves Grapefruit League game after pitch hits him in the right hand
Riley got hit by a pitch from Jackson Rutledge in the first inning of the Braves’ game with the Washington Nationals. Riley held out his right hand immediately afterward in apparent pain before ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Alcaraz expects tough test from Draper in Indian Wells semi-finals
Two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz is bracing for a tough semi-final test from "ambitious" British lefty Jack Draper on Saturday as he aims to take the next step toward a rare Indian Wells ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Guatemala steps up patrols along border as US extends border security goals south
As the United States government works to effectively extend its border security objectives south into Central America, countries like Guatemala have come under renewed scrutiny and pressure to step ...ABC News - 2d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
ACC Tournament MVP Kon Knueppel proves Duke has firepower that goes well beyond Cooper Flagg
It wasn't a surprise that a Duke freshman was named the Most Valuable Player of the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament on Saturday night. What may have been surprising is that he wasn't named ...Yahoo Sports - 9m -
Disappointed Marvin Vettori issues statement on UFC Fight Night 254 loss
Marvin Vettori's comeback did not go as planned at UFC Fight Night 254. After injuries sidelined him for the longest layoff of his career, former middleweight title challenger Vettori (19-8-1 MMA, ...Yahoo Sports - 14m -
High school basketball: CIF state championship scores
CIF state championship boys' and girls' basketball championship scores.Yahoo Sports - 17m -
Chawinga and Current dominate early in 3-1 win over Thorns
Reigning MVP Temwa Chawinga scored on her first shot of the new National Women’s Soccer League season and the Kansas City Current defeated the Portland Thorns 3-1 on Saturday. The other three NWSL ...Yahoo Sports - 18m -
Onni Valakari scores first career goal in MLS for San Diego in 1-1 tie with Crew
Onni Valakari scored San Diego FC's first-ever goal at Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday night in a 1-1 tie with the Columbus Crew. Valakari flicked a header off a corner kick played in by Luca de la ...Yahoo Sports - 22m
More in Sports
-
ACC Tournament MVP Kon Knueppel proves Duke has firepower that goes well beyond Cooper Flagg
It wasn't a surprise that a Duke freshman was named the Most Valuable Player of the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament on Saturday night. What may have been surprising is that he wasn't named ...Yahoo Sports - 9m -
Knicks' frustration boils over as Tom Thibodeau and Josh Hart get into heated exchange during loss to Warriors
New York has lost four of six and has the third-worst offense since the All-Star breakCBS Sports - 10m -
2025 March Madness: Conference tournament scores, automatic bids, tickets punched to Big Dance, brackets
With Selection Sunday here, check out the the teams who have earned AQ bids to the NCAA TournamentCBS Sports - 11m -
Disappointed Marvin Vettori issues statement on UFC Fight Night 254 loss
Marvin Vettori's comeback did not go as planned at UFC Fight Night 254. After injuries sidelined him for the longest layoff of his career, former middleweight title challenger Vettori (19-8-1 MMA, ...Yahoo Sports - 14m -
High school basketball: CIF state championship scores
CIF state championship boys' and girls' basketball championship scores.Yahoo Sports - 17m