Rays' Tyler Glasnow Reportedly Expected to Undergo Tommy John Surgery for UCL Injury

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Tampa Bay Rays star Tyler Glasnow is expected to undergo Tommy John surgery next week, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.

The involved parties haven't decided on that course of action, though, as Glasnow could rehab his partially torn UCL. Should he have the procedure, the right-hander could return during the 2022 season but might be out until 2023.

Glasnow got off to an electric start in 2021. He was 5-2 with a 2.66 ERA and 2.76 FIP through 14 starts, per Baseball Reference. He had also notched 123 strikeouts in 88 innings.

The 27-year-old hasn't pitched since a 5-2 win over the Chicago White Sox on June 14. He exited after four innings and was diagnosed with the UCL injury.

Glasnow subsequently told reporters that he thought MLB's effort to restrict pitchers from using sticky substances "contributed" to his injury. He said he altered how he threw the ball:

Glasnow and the Rays opted for rest and rehab to try to get him back in action.

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The Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin reported Glasnow threw off a mound Friday as part of his rehab and followed up Saturday to report the session "didn't go well" and that he will see a doctor next week with Tommy John surgery the expected recommendation.

There's no way to positively spin potentially missing so much time, especially since Glasnow is in his prime. But if he undergoes surgery, he could have at least a full season before becoming a free agent following the 2023 campaign.