Tampa Bay Rays fans hopeful as long-injured pitcher Tyler Glasnow excels in likely final rehab start: "Gonna be so great having him back" 

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow excelled in what was likely his final minor-league rehab start on Sunday.

Glasnow, who has been out since suffering an oblique injury in Spring Training, tossed six innings of two-hit, one-run ball for Triple-A Durham. He threw 67 pitches and struck out six batters.

Tyler Glasnow is the ace of a dominant Tampa Bay Rays starting rotation that has seen its fair share of injuries. Sunday was his fourth rehab start in the minors.

Rays manager Kevin Cash told reporters last week that Glasnow is ready and willing to rejoin the MLB club.

"I think he's chomping at the bit to get here."

Glasnow threw 57 pitches in his previous rehab start on May 17. He allowed three hits over four scoreless innings and showed no signs of rust. If all goes according to plan, he will make his season debut against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Tropicana Field on Friday.

Glasnow has not pitched in a big-league game since the 2022 postseason. He threw five innings of two-hit ball against the Cleveland Guardians in the Wild Card round. The Rays lost the game 1-0 in extra innings.

Glasnow, who is in his eighth big-league season, has dealt with a lot of injuries in his career. When healthy, he is one of the top pitchers in the American League. He has posted a 20-20 record and 4.00 ERA over seven MLB seasons split between the Rays and Pittsburgh Pirates.

Injuries have been a major issue for Glasnow. He never made more than 14 starts in any of his previous seven MLB seasons.

Tampa Bay Rays in dire need of Tyler Glasnow's return

Tyler Glasnow #20 of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches against the Boston Red Sox

With starting pitchers Drew Rasmussen and Shawn Springs out with injuries, the Rays are in dire need of Glasnow's services. The team has seen its lead in the ultra-competitive AL East shrink to 3.5 games over the Baltimore Orioles.