Rays ace Tyler Glasnow diagnosed with partial UCL tear, placed on 10-day IL [UPDATE]

UPDATE: Glasnow has been placed on the 10-day injured list after leaving Monday’s start vs. the White Sox. He underwent an MRI that revealed a partial tear in his right UCL, per Marc Topkin. Glasnow will be evaluated further and a timeline will be determined for his return.

With the partial UCL tear, Tommy John surgery could be an option, which would end Glasnow’s 2021 season and even hold him out into 2022. Glasnow also has a flexor tendon strain, so not looking good for the young hurler. Jeff Passan of ESPN is reporting that the plan for now is to rehab and have Glasnow try and return this season. We all sort of know how these things go though. TJ surgery may just be the best course of action. If the UCL doesn’t heal properly, there’s risk of re-injury and a full tear, which would have Glasnow out even longer, most likely. We’ll see how this pans out.

Tampa Bay Rays ace Tyler Glasnow had to exit Monday’s start against the Chicago White Sox early due to elbow inflammation, the team confirmed. The AL Cy Young hopeful allowed 2 ER over 4.0 IP with 6 Ks before having to leave the game. The Rays were leading in the 6th inning 3-2. The first-place Rays may be in trouble if Glasnow is out long-term.

Glasnow entered Monday 5-2 with a 2.57 ERA and 117 Ks over 84 IP in 13 starts for the Rays so far in 2021. He was among the top odds to win AL Cy Young at +650 this season with the Rays in first place at 42-24. Needless to say, if Glasnow is out an extended period of time, it will have a major impact on Tampa Bay’s chances in the AL East and for Glasnow to win Cy Young.

The Rays ace entered Monday 8th in WAR among qualified starters at 2.3 and 11th in FIP at 2.85. Tampa could insert Michael Wacha into the starting rotation and use him to open up bullpen type of games. Collin McHugh also has some experience starting in rotations from 2014-17 with the Houston Astros.