Overview
- Manager Kevin Cash announced the assignment during spring training, confirming Rasmussen will open the 2026 season for Tampa Bay.
- Rasmussen posted a 10-5 record with a 2.76 ERA in 31 starts last season, totaling 150 innings and 127 strikeouts.
- He missed most of 2023 and 2024 with an elbow injury before returning to earn an American League All-Star nod in 2025.
- Rasmussen joined the Rays in 2021 in the trade that sent shortstop Willy Adames to Milwaukee.
- Pitching coach Kyle Snyder said it is reasonable to expect about 170 innings from Rasmussen this season, signaling an expanded workload.