Shane Baz's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane Baz (elbow) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment either on Saturday or Sunday with Triple-A Durham. After throwing two innings in an extended spring game last Wednesday, Baz pitched in another spring outing on Monday as he continues to build up his pitch count from Tommy John surgery. While it's unclear how far out he is from making his 2024 regular-season debut, the 24-year-old former top prospect should be able to rejoin Tampa Bay's injury-depleted rotation before the end of May. Baz owns a strong 28.9% strikeout rate in 40 1/3 career innings (nine starts), which makes him a worthy stash in all fantasy leagues. Veteran right-hander Zack Littell holds a respectable 3.27 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 35:5 K:BB over 33 frames (six starts) for the Rays this season, and he'll be a decent streaming option in Saturday's scheduled home start versus the New York Mets.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitchers Taj Bradley (pectoral) and Shane Baz (elbow) recently threw a two-inning live batting practice session, manager Kevin Cash said on Friday. Sidelined for the past month due to a strained right pectoral, Bradley still has to go through the process of rebuilding his stamina and increasing his pitch count before he's ready to return. The 23-year-old right-hander fanned 129 batters across his 104 2/3 innings of work during his rookie year in 2023, but he gave 23 home runs in 21 starts and posted a poor 5.59 ERA. Bradley is probably about a month out from returning to the Rays, while Baz could return at some point in May after two oblique setbacks slowed his progress from Tommy John surgery recovery. Zack Littell and Tyler Alexander will occupy rotation spots in the meantime, with the former having only given up two runs through his first 15 1/3 frames of the campaign.

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said on Tuesday that starting pitcher Shane Baz (oblique) "felt his oblique again a little bit" at the end of his latest live batting practice session, and he will be re-evaluated on Thursday. The issue isn't expected to be a significant setback, but it marks the second time within the previous month that Baz's buildup for the season following 2022 Tommy John surgery has been affected by an oblique injury. Baz missed the entire 2023 season and will be limited this season, but the 24-year-old former No. 12 overall pick has a promising 4.02 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 48:12 K:BB over 40 1/3 career major-league innings. Barring another setback, Baz could be an option for the Rays and fantasy managers around mid-May and is still worth a stash in most mixed leagues.

The Tampa Bay Rays officially placed right-handers Shane Baz (elbow) and Taj Bradley (pectoral) on the 15-day injured list on Tuesday, retroactive to March 25. Baz, 24, also dealt with an oblique injury in spring training as he attempts to return from Tommy John surgery in September of 2022. After not pitching at all in 2023, Baz is certainly going to be limited in what he can do for both the Rays and fantasy managers this year, and there's no specific timetable for when he might make his 2024 debut. A return at some point this summer is most likely. Bradley, 23, was diagnosed with a pectoral strain on March 13. He also doesn't have a specific timetable for a return, but he should be back before Baz. There's a lot to like about his strikeout upside, but he gave up too many homers and struggled with his command in his rookie season in 2023.

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Shane Baz (elbow), who has been working his way back from Tommy John surgery, was close to throwing his first live batting practice session but "tweaked an oblique picking up a weight." It's estimated that the 24-year-old will be delayed in his throwing progression by about a week now. Baz wasn't going to be ready by Opening Day anyway, but this would seemingly push back the start of his regular season debut as well, whenever that might be. As of now, the former first-round draft pick is projected to make 16 starts, but his NFBC ADP of 211 is looking very pricey.