Rays Make Decision On Shane Baz Status For Rest Of Season

Shane Baz came into the season as the top pitching prospect in all of baseball. But his bad luck began in April, when he underwent surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow. After finally making his return two months later, an elbow sprain sidelined him again. Now, he's been shut down for good for 2022.

#Rays Baz is throwing and seems to be doing okay in recovery from elbow injury, but will not pitch in games again this season
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) September 15, 2022

Tampa Bay Rays beat writer Marc Topkin reported today that although Baz is throwing and "seems to be doing okay in his recovery" he will not pitch again in a game this season.

Baz made it back in June and made six starts. He was still off a bit in his first start, and the elbow was bothering him in his last start when he gave up 7 earned runs in 2.1 innings. But in between, he threw four gems, surrendering only 3 runs in 22.1 innings, with a 26:6 K/BB ratio over those four starts, displaying the elite stuff that so many are expecting from him.

Elbow sprains are a scary injury for a pitcher, as the dreaded Tommy John surgery always looms as a possibility if things deteriorate. However, there's no indication of that at this point for Baz. And if he continues his recovery throughout the offseason, the Rays could have a killer starting rotation for 2023.

Tampa Bay Rays 2023 Potential Rotation:

Shane McClanahan
Tyler Glasnow
Shane Baz
Drew Rasmussen
Jeffrey Springs

Pretty good. #RaysUp
— DataBase Hit (@DatabaseHit) September 14, 2022