Drew Rasmussen’s astonishing journey

TAMPA, Fla. – The streak ended in this one, but the true narrative continues to unfold. In a remarkable chronicle of resilience and determination, right-hander Drew Rasmussen of the Tampa Bay Rays continues to execute at a high level and remains a remarkable main figure of the common question, “how did he get from here to there?”

Coming into his 14^th start of the season on June 8, Rasmussen had not allowed a run in 23.0 consecutive innings and tied for the seventh longest in franchise history. When the Marlins’ Otto Lopez singled in Xaiver Edwards in the first inning, the scoreless streak ended, but Rasmussen’s remarkable encounter endures.

Many pitchers bear the protracted agony of Tommy John surgery, and for a few, two procedures. Rasmussen is different because he is a survivor of three procedures and two before he turned professional. The three procedures put the 29-year-old in distinct company and raise the question: who would want to endure three grueling and demanding recovery periods and a concentrated period of time away from the diamond?

“My love of playing, that’s a good place to start,” Rasmussen said of his motivation. “Baseball is just not my job, it’s my hobby, and I love the game of baseball. That’s all I really know. Then, a little reassurance from the front office that they will see my rehab through. You have that faith in you, people have that confidence in yo,u and on top of that, it is what I love to do, day in and day out.”

Over the past several seasons, Rasmussen journeyed from the depths of despair to among the most productive pitchers in the game. After a no-decision at home against Miami on June 8, he lowered his ERA to 2.22 for 14 starts. In those 14 starts, he allowed two or fewer runs in nine, and through a five-game period from May 17 to June 8, he went 4-0, 0.62 ERA, and held opponents to a .162 batting average.

Coming into that June 8 start against the Marlins, Rasmussen held a 2.14 ERA and was seventh best in the American League. Starting the current season at 1-4 with three no-decisions, he responded with a stretch of 4-0 and that no-decision against the Marlins.

All of which remains remarkable when considering his journey back began during his college days at Oregon State. A finance major, Rasmussen underwent his first procedure as a sophomore in 2016 with the Beavers. Returning as a red-shirt freshman the following year, he went 3-0 with a 1.00 ERA in eight appearances. A year later, the second procedure occurred, and in 2023, Rasmussen underwent the third procedure and which was with the Rays. Returning to the mound in August of last season, he appeared in 14 games for Tampa Bay and two as a starter.

In discussing both his rehab periods and his approach to the game, Rasmussen displays a unique composite of knowledge, strategy, mental toughness, acumen, and determination.

All of which is clearly noticed.

“(Rasmussen) is a very intellectual guy,” said Rays catcher Danny Jansen. “He is able to process information very well. It’s a fun connection to have. As a pitcher and catcher, you will have that trust and communication.”

From learning from video and sounding off from others in the game, whether his teammates or the opposition, Rasmussen carries a unique approach. He is always analyzing, always interpreting, and constantly attempts to ascertain how to gain an edge on every hitter.

“Now that I know the guy, that doesn’t surprise me because I know the work ethic and the preparation,” Jansen added. “I know how routine-based he is, and I don’t think (coming back from three Tommy John procedures) has have ever been before.”

In addition to tapping into several resources, Rasmussen cites his experience.

Originally drafted by the Diamondbacks on the 29^th round in the 2014 draft, he selected to play at Oregon State. Then, the Rays took him in the first round of the 2017 draft, but he did not sign. Instead, he returned to college, but Milwaukee made him a sixth-round selection in the 2018 draft, and he signed with the Brewers. Eventually, he ended up with the Rays and that was a result of a trade involving shortstop Willy Adamas on May 21, 2011.

Combined with the Brewers and Rays, Rasmusen compiled a 20-12 record, 2.95 ERA for 99 games and 310.0 innings. These numbers represent parts of six seasons and prior to the current campaign.

“There is an experience aspect, right,” Rasmussen offered. “We have 400 innings in the big league (counting 69 innings through his first 14 starts in 2025), There is not a whole lot of situations that will come up and that I have not seen before. When you have that to fall back on, the teachers that I’ve had in this game have been absolutely incredible. Also, you have the opportunity to hang out with guys in here and just talk the game. You try and have an understanding of what they are trying to accomplish and why they are trying to accomplish. Then, you take a look at that, analyze that and see how that applies to your game.”

On the diamond … with a 3-2 win over the Marlins on June 8, the Rays were 5-0-1 in their last six series. In games through June 8, they won 14 of their previous 18, and that’s the best in the majors. In that latest win over Miami on June 8, the Rays were down 2-0 but tied the game on a two-run homer from Yandy Diaz with two outs in the fifth. Diaz started the winning rally in the eighth with a one-out double and gave way to pinch Runner Jose Caballero, who quickly stole third and came across on a sacrifice fly from Brandon Lowe. The steal was his 21^st of the season and is one short of the Pirates’ Oneil Cruz (22) for the major league lead.

Next … The Rays embark on a six-game road trip with features three against the Red Sox in Fenway Park and three with the Mets in New York In the opener in Boston, look for right-hander Shane Baz (5-3, 4.96 ERA) to open the series and face right Brayan Bello (2-1, 3.91). In the middle game, it’s righty Ryan Pepiot (3-5, 3.20) to face righty Lucas Giolito (1-1, 6.42). In the finale, righty Zack Littell (6-5, 3.68) takes on righty Walker Buehler (4-4, 5.18).  After that set with the Mets, the Rays return to Steinbrenner Field to face the Orioles and Tigers in a seven-game home stand.

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