Rasmussen’s Resiliency Fuels Rays’ Rotation in 2025

Drew Rasmussen has been the Rays ace in 2025, but his journey to this point hasn't been easy

TAMPA, Fla. — Drew Rasmussen has emerged as the ace of the Tampa Bay Rays’ pitching staff in 2025, putting together a career year and playing a key role in the team’s strong start to the season.

But Rasmussen’s success has not come without setbacks.

The right-hander didn’t make his season debut in 2024 until Aug. 7, when he appeared out of the bullpen in Game 113. He spent the rest of the year pitching out of the bullpen and working his way back from season-ending elbow surgery in 2023.

On May 11, 2023, Rasmussen threw seven scoreless innings at Yankee Stadium in an 8-2 win over the New York Yankees. The following day, he was placed on the 60-day injured list with a right flexor strain. On July 8, he underwent an internal brace procedure on his elbow, sidelining him for over a year.

It was the third major elbow surgery of Rasmussen’s career.

His first two came during his college years at Oregon State. Rasmussen starred as a freshman in 2015, earning Pac-12 First Team and Freshman All-American honors. That March, he threw the first perfect game in Oregon State history against Washington State.

He underwent his first Tommy John surgery in March 2016 and returned in April 2017 to help lead the Beavers to the College World Series. Later that year, he was selected 31st overall by the Rays in the MLB Draft, but did not sign. The Rays noted “discrepancies” in his predraft and postdraft MRIs.

In September 2017, Rasmussen underwent his second Tommy John surgery — less than 18 months after his first.

According to data compiled by baseball analyst Jon Roegele, as of March 2025, 2,555 major league pitchers have undergone Tommy John surgery. Of those, only 162 have had the procedure twice, and just 61 percent of them returned to competitive action.

Despite the injury history, the Milwaukee Brewers selected Rasmussen in the sixth round of the 2018 draft after he sat out the entire 2018 college season. He made his MLB debut with Milwaukee in 2020.

Ironically, Rasmussen’s career took off after he was traded to the Rays in 2021 as part of the deal that sent shortstop Willy Adames to the Brewers.

Rasmussen debuted with Tampa Bay on June 19, 2021, and made his first career start less than two months later, on Aug. 12. After spending his time in Milwaukee exclusively as a reliever, the Rays transitioned him into a starting role.

As a starter, Rasmussen has posted a 2.64 ERA over 313 2/3 innings, compared to a 3.93 ERA in 71 innings as a reliever. He logged a career-high 146 innings in 2022 and had a 2.62 ERA over 44 2/3 innings in 2023 before his third elbow surgery.

Now, in 2025, Rasmussen appears better than ever. His 2.61 ERA and 0.97 WHIP both rank in the top 10 among starting pitchers. The dominant numbers could earn him his first career All-Star selection.

Rasmussen’s resurgence is a testament to his resilience — a trait he has demonstrated time and again throughout his winding and often grueling journey to the top of the Rays’ rotation.