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Keep track here of the Rays’ transactions and rehabbing players’ progress.
LHP Ryan Yarbrough (left groin tightness)
Expected return: Possibly April 22-24
The Rays placed Yarbrough on the 10-day injured list on April 11, with the assignment made retroactive to April 8, but he won’t be ready to return after the minimum stint as the club initially indicated he might. Yarbrough isn’t scheduled to pitch during Tampa Bay’s series at Wrigley Field from April 18-20 — Shane McClanahan, Josh Fleming and Drew Rasmussen will handle the starting/bulk-inning duties against the Cubs — but he could rejoin the rotation when the Rays return home to face the Red Sox at Tropicana Field from April 22-24.
Yarbrough played catch from 150 feet on April 17 and could throw a bullpen session April 18 or 19, manager Kevin Cash said. The lefty initially said he was trying to “be a little bit smarter” about playing it safe early in the season, adding: “If it was later on in the year, I think it’d be a different story.” — Adam Berry (Last updated: April 17)
RHP JT Chargois (left oblique tightness)
Expected return: TBD
Chargois faced two batters and retired both in the Rays’ 2-1 win over the Orioles on Opening Day, but manager Kevin Cash said Chargois had been working through an oblique issue that “kind of crept up a little bit” near the end of Spring Training. It flared up again while Chargois was playing catch in the days after his season debut, which led the Rays to place him on the 10-day IL on April 12. It’s worth noting the assignment was made retroactive to April 9; between that and the terminology of his injury — tightness, not a strain — it’s possible Chargois could return sooner than Luis Patiño. However, the Rays have not set a firm timeline for his rehabilitation. — Adam Berry (Last updated: April 12)
RHP Shane Baz (right elbow surgery)
Expected return: Late May/early June
Baz reported to Spring Training healthy and looked good in his first bullpen session, then reported “a little crank” in his arm later that day. An MRI revealed loose bodies in his right elbow, and he underwent arthroscopic surgery on March 21. Tampa Bay’s top prospect has resumed throwing, with his last session on flat ground from 75 feet, but he was transferred to the 60-day IL on April 16 to make room for the Rays’ acquisition of right-hander Javy Guerra. That means the earliest he can join the big league roster is June 6, although he could make Minor League rehab starts before then. — Adam Berry (Last updated: April 16)
RHP Luis Patiño (left oblique strain)
Expected return: Possibly June
A day after Patiño was placed on the 10-day IL with a strained left oblique, the club moved him to the 60-day IL to make room for the promotion of reliever Dusten Knight, essentially an acknowledgement that Patiño will miss around two months. Patiño sustained the injury after throwing only 13 pitches in his season debut against the A’s on April 11. Manager Kevin Cash said he was hopeful that placing the 22-year-old on the 60-day IL would “allow Luis to not rush his return.” Tampa Bay hopes he’ll be symptom-free in a few weeks, but it will take about a month to get the young starter built back up to pitch five innings. — Adam Berry (Last updated: April 13)
LHP Brendan McKay (thoracic outlet syndrome decompression surgery)
Expected return: Early 2022
McKay was placed on the 60-day injured list on April 7, which freed up a 40-man roster spot for the Rays — which they used to claim right-hander Ralph Garza Jr. off waivers from the Red Sox — and allowed him to continue his rehabilitation with the Major League athletic training staff. McKay, the former two-way player focused on coming back as a pitcher only, is facing hitters in live batting practice and is expected to return to the mound at some point this season. His return will likely begin in the Minors, due to the time he has missed with various injuries, though the Rays expect him to contribute in the Majors eventually. — Adam Berry (Last updated: April 8)
RHP Pete Fairbanks (torn right lat muscle)
Expected return: Possibly June
Fairbanks walked off the mound after throwing his fifth pitch in the Rays’ 4-1 win over the Braves on March 27, and the Rays announced he would be further evaluated on March 28. After an MRI, the initial recommendation was that Fairbanks be shut down from throwing for six weeks. A second opinion provided on March 30 confirmed that Fairbanks has a 50 percent tear in his right lat, and he will not throw for at least six weeks before being re-evaluated. He will soon receive a PRP injection in Dallas, designed to promote healing in the area while he rests and recovers. If Fairbanks is cleared to throw in six weeks, he’d likely need another six weeks before he’s ready for games. — Adam Berry (Last updated: March 31)
RHP Nick Anderson (right elbow surgery)
Expected return: Second half of the 2022 season
Anderson, sidelined from late March until mid-September 2021 by a partially torn UCL, underwent right elbow surgery on Oct. 27. The operation, performed by Dr. Keith Meister in Dallas, repaired Anderson’s UCL with an internal brace procedure, according to the Rays. Anderson resumed throwing during the offseason and reported to Spring Training, and his expected return to game action is after the ’22 All-Star break. The Rays placed him on the 60-day IL on March 25 to create room on their 40-man roster. — Adam Berry (Last updated: March 26)
RHP Tyler Glasnow (Tommy John surgery, right ankle surgery)
Expected return: Likely 2023
Working his way back from the Tommy John procedure he underwent in August 2021, Glasnow had arthroscopic surgery to remove loose bodies from his right ankle on March 18 — a day after he was transferred to the 60-day IL. Glasnow said the second procedure, a minor operation he’d been putting off for years, likely won’t affect his recovery timetable. The initial expectation was that Glasnow would not be ready to return to the Rays’ rotation until the 2023 season, but he has spoken optimistically about getting back on the mound in ’22. — Adam Berry (Last updated: March 21)
RHP Yonny Chirinos (right elbow surgery)
Expected return: Early 2022
Nearing the end of his Tommy John rehabilitation, Chirinos sustained a right elbow fracture while throwing off a mound in September. He had surgery later that month, which will keep him from being ready for Opening Day. Chirinos could be ready to pitch at some point in the first half, if his recovery goes well. He was transferred to the 60-day IL on March 18. — Adam Berry (Last updated: March 18)
