Posted on May 11, 2019, by Bryan Zarpentine
One of the breakout stars early in the 2019 season has been sidelined for at least a month. The Tampa Bay Rays have placed starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow on the 10-day Injured List with a mild forearm strain. The club has indicated that he will miss the next four to six weeks, keeping him on the shelf well into June, possibly longer.
Glasnow left in the 6th inning of his start Friday against the Yankees. After throwing a curveball, he was quick to send for the team’s trainers. Without much hesitation, Glasnow was removed from the game. An MRI performed Saturday revealed a mild forearm strain. The 25-year-old will be shut down for at least seven to 10 days before being re-evaluated. However, the Rays don’t appear eager to rush their budding ace back from an injury scare.
“I don’t really know what’s going on right now,” Glasnow said after the game. “I’m just going to be optimistic. It wasn’t a pop or anything crazy. I just felt tightness for a couple pitches.”
Sign up for a FREE Consultation to start working with Legendary Sports Bettor Jon Price
The injury comes at a time when Glasnow was just starting to blossom. He had long been a prized prospect in the Pirates organization before being traded to Tampa Bay last summer. After finishing last season strong with the Rays, Glasnow was off to an incredible start in 2019. Despite taking his first loss of the season in Friday’s game, Glasnow is 6-1 with a 1.86 ERA through eight starts.
Glasnow has been a revelation alongside Charlie Morton and reigning Cy Young winner Blake Snell in Tampa’s rotation and a big reason why the Rays are currently in first place in the AL East. Needless to say, losing him for at least a month is a huge blow for the Rays. Glasnow goes to the IL one day after Tampa lost starting catcher Mike Zunino to the IL for at least a month. The Rays have gotten bit by the injury bug recently, which has played a role in their division lead dwindling to just half a game.
It remains to be seen how the loss of Glasnow for a month will impact Tampa’s pitching staff. The Rays utilize a three-man rotation of Snell, Glasnow, and Morton while relying on their contingent of relievers to serve as “openers.” Yonny Chirinos has been used as both a starter and reliever this season, averaging over five innings per appearance. Jalen Beeks is also capable of going multiple innings out of the bullpen. But with Glasnow out, the Rays are left with just three pitchers who are used as traditional starters. That leaves them a lot of innings to eat up in Glasnow’s absence.
“This is where we talk about our depth all the time,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said after Friday’s game. “Our depth will be challenged and tested, and we have confidence in the guys and the options that we have.”
Even if the Rays find a way to account for Glasnow’s innings, this is still a huge loss for the Rays. The youngster was coming into his own this season and performing at an ace level. On the bright side, the Rays are fortunate that the injury isn’t more serious, as Glasnow has had his injury issues in the past. However, going a month or more without Glasnow won’t be easy with the Rays struggling to hold their spot at the top of the AL East.