Tampa Bay Rays Sign Key Starter To Big-Money Extension

After missing the entire season recovering from Tommy John surgery, Tampa Bay Rays pitching ace Tyler Glasnow has agreed to a very large two-year extension with the team, taking him through the 2024 season.

Tyler Glasnow will earn $5.35M in first year of two-year, $30.35M extension with Rays (final year of arb) and $25M in his second (first year of free agency), according to a source. Deal includes significant bonuses based on Cy Young finishes.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) August 26, 2022

The move means that Glasnow's free agency is delayed by a year. He'll earn $5.35M next season, his first full season back from the TJ surgery, and $25M in 2024. That's the largest single-season salary in team history.

He went under the knife last August after injuring his elbow shortly after the sticky stuff crackdown, which he partially blamed for his having to alter his grip and thus leading to his injury.

But the 29-year-old's rehab and recovery has gone extremely well, according to the Rays and Glasnow himself.

“As far as timing goes, I really don't feel like I missed a beat,” Glasnow said. “I feel like I'm like 2021.” And his 2021 was certainly going swimmingly until his injury, with a 2.66 ERA and a 0.93 WHIP, with 12.6 K/9.

From those who've watched him pitch to live hitters this month, the verdict is that he is indeed, back to his old ways.

Tyler Glasnow has been throwing live to hitters and his stuff, in the words of one person who saw him recently, "is absolutely gross." Rays are elated to keep him around and Glasnow gets a big number and comfort coming back from Tommy John. First on the extension: @TBTimes_Rays.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 26, 2022