BREAKING: Shocking News As Tampa Bay Rays Elite Starter Shut Down

It's another huge blow to the Tampa Bay Rays rotation, and they've been forced to shut down one of their elite starting pitchers for two months with a flexor strain in his forearm. 

Rasmussen will be shut down from throwing for 8 weeks and then start building up, so an August return would seem to be best case scenario for #Rays

— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) May 12, 2023

Drew Rasmussen, according to reports, would likely be out of the mix for the Rays' rotation until at least August. 

This comes as a shocking development to the Rays, as Rasmussen pitched seven shutout innings Thursday night against the New York Yankees with seemingly no issues. He allowed just two baserunners on the night. 

It's a brutal break for the 27-year-old, who's already undergone TWO Tommy John surgeries, while he was in college in 2016 and 2018. He's at this point still hopeful of avoiding surgery this time around. 

He finally broke through big-time with the Rays last season, posting a 2.84 ERA in 28 starts with a 125:31 K/BB ratio. 

He's followed that up this season with a 2.62 ERA through eight starts with 47 strikeouts against just 11 walks. 

The Rays are already without top prospect Shane Baz for the entire season due to Tommy John, and lost starter Jeffrey Springs for the year also to TJ surgery, after a spectacular start this season. 

Current elite prospect Taj Bradley is likely to get another call-up to replace Rasmussen, after pitching some stellar games for Tampa earlier this season.  

Photo: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports