The Rays got what manager Kevin Cash said was encouraging news on top starter Tyler Glasnow’s elbow injury after a visit to specialist Dr. Keith Meister in Texas.
But they also saw reliever Chaz Roe have a setback in his return from a shoulder strain.
Meister agreed with the initial diagnosis that Glasnow did not need surgery to address the partial tear in his ulnar collateral ligament and flexor strain, recommending he go four weeks without throwing, then be re-evaluated, which still would push a best-case return to early- to mid-September.
Meister also noted that the irritation could be caused by a stress reaction where the ligament and bone meet, which could be a positive thing.
“The update is a good one,” Cash said Friday in Seattle. “I think everybody agreed on what they saw. (Meister’s) version was that it was more like around the bone. So we’re going to do some bone treatment, along with rest, and see if he bounces back a little bit quicker.
“That doesn’t change his timetable. We’re not going to know anything different until that four- to six-week mark of when we start playing catch or start doing (plyometric exercises) of some sort. He’s got a long way to go. But I was encouraged by it.”
Cash said it was still too early to speculate on whether Glasnow would be able to return this season: “I feel better today than I did when he came out of the game in Chicago (Monday). That’s the best I could give on that.”
Roe, 34, was making his seventh appearance, and first on back-to-back days, of a rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham on Thursday when he felt some discomfort. A return to St. Petersburg, and MRI and an exam by Dr. Koco Eaton led to the diagnosis of biceps tendinitis. He received a cortisone shot. How he responds to the shot will be key, but it’s likely to be at least seven to 10 days until he can throw in games.
“It’s unfortunate,” Cash said. “Talking to (Triple-A manager Brady Williams), the times that he did throw the ball was coming out of his hand really well. We all know what Chaz has done for us over the last couple seasons and this will just be another hiccup.”
Raking (and running) all night, day, year
In hitting his 10th homer Thursday, Randy Arozarena became the only rookie — and one of five players overall in the majors — to reach double digits in homers and steals. He joined an impressive group: Ronald Acuna Jr., Braves, 18 homers and 14 steals; Shohei Ohtani, Angels, 19 and 10; Fernando Tatis Jr., Padres, 22 and 13; Trea Turner, Nationals, 10 and 13. … Arozarena is the fourth Rays rookie to reach double digits in both by the All-Star break, joining Rocco Baldelli (2003), Delmon Young (2007) and Steven Souza Jr. (2015). … He went into play Friday with a career-high 12-game hitting streak.
Miscellany
⋅ Losing on the final pitch Wednesday in Chicago and Thursday in Seattle made for the Rays’ first back-to-back walkoff losses since July 22-23 in Oakland, and ninth time in the team’s 24-season history. … Shed Long’s game-tying double off Pete Fairbanks ended the bullpen’s 28 1/3-inning stretch of not allowing an earned run.
⋅ Two-way player Brendan McKay, recovering from 2020 shoulder surgery, was to make his first game appearance as a pitcher Friday at the extended spring camp in Port Charlotte.
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