Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Pitching help around corner
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Major pitching reinforcements may be on the way for the wild-card chasing Rays: Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow.
Snell, last season’s AL Cy Young Award winner, has been out since July 22 because of bone chips in his throwing elbow that required surgery. He is set to throw batting practice or pitch in a minor league playoff game Saturday.
Glasnow was 6-1 before being sidelined in midMay by a strained right forearm. He could be back this weekend.
“I feel 100 percent,” Glasnow said Tuesday.
Also, the Rays recalled two-way player Brendan McKay Tuesday from Triple-A Durham, and the left-hander is set to start or follow an opener Friday night against the Blue Jays. McKay missed about 10 days in late August and received a cortisone shot for shoulder fatigue. He is not being allowed to hit.
Roster expansion started Sunday, and the Rays now have 34 active players.
“I think this is going to give us our best chance to win as many games as possible,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun. We’ve got to be creative.”
The Rays entered Tuesday’s doubleheader with the Orioles on top of the AL wild-card standings in a tight race with the Indians and Athletics.
“It’s been amazing,” Glasnow said. “Everyone has contributed.”
Glasnow made his second appearance with Triple-A Durham on Monday and likely will be limited to a few innings at first as he continues to rebuild arm strength.