Glasnow Returns In Time For Postseason

By Lily Belcher

The Rays right hander underwent surgery on August 4, 2021 after a partial tear to his ACL last summer. While Glasnow maintained he would be back as soon as possible, Kevin Cash and the Rays set his earliest potential return date to the 2022 postseason. Still, Glasnow returned two weeks early while the Rays battle for a spot in the postseason.

Tyler Glasnow made his return to the mound Wednesday night just 13 months after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Glasnow pitched three innings with three strikeouts and gave up one homerun and one single in his first outing of the season.

The Rays ace looked collected on the mound, seemingly unphased by the pressure of his season debut, tossing a 98 mph fastball for his first pitch. He tossed 29 fastballs (with a maximum velocity of 99 mph on eight of them) in the two-hit, 50 pitch outing. Glasnow also showcased his curveball and slider against Cleveland’s offense.  

Christian Bethancourt hit an RBI single to score Ji-Man Choi from second in the second inning to spot Glasnow a one-run lead. While Glasnow got the first six Cleveland batters out, he gave up the solo shot to Gabriel Arias, tying the game at one run.

Glasnow was relieved by Garrett Cleavinger, Calvin Faucher, and Brooks Raley before an hour weather delay interrupted the game in the seventh inning. In the top of the seventh, the Rays loaded the bases with a leadoff base hit by Choi followed by two walks, broken up by a stolen base by Choi’s pinch runner Miles Mastrobuoni. With Jose Siri up to bat with one out, the game was delayed and Siri grounded into a double play to leave the bases loaded after the rain passed.

Heading into the top of the tenth, the Rays went three up, three down before handing the ball over to closer Javy Guerra. Guerra intentionally walked Andres Gimenez who advanced to third before Amed Rosario hit a walk off RBI single to end the game.

With just seven games to go in the season ending road trip, the Rays look to clinch the post season berth while clinging to the second wildcard spot. Toronto is two games ahead and Tampa Bay is a half game ahead of Seattle, with Baltimore trailing by four and a half games.

The Rays will face the Guardians in the final regular season matchup Thursday at 6:10 pm.