The Tampa Bay Rays placed right-hander Drew Rasmussen on the 60-day injured list with a forearm flexor strain one day after he pitched seven scoreless innings in a victory over the New York Yankees.

Rasmussen started the season with a 4-2 record and a 2.62 ERA in eight starts for the Rays, who have opened the season with the best record in baseball at 30-9, heading into play Friday. He was efficient in holding down the Yankees, throwing just 76 pitches on Thursday.

Tampa Bay recalled right-hander Chris Muller from Triple-A Durham to take Rasmussen’s spot on the roster. Muller, who turned 27 in April, is 1-0 with a 3.71 ERA in 14 relief appearances for Durham and is being called up to the major leagues for the first time.

The Rays will still need to fill Rasmussen’s rotation spot, although they can push that vacancy back to Wednesday if they need to because of an off day Monday.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, Rasmussen, 27, intends to go the rehab route over surgery but won’t be eligible to rejoin the club until July.

In 83 career appearances (46 starts) over two seasons, Rasmussen is 20-10 with a 2.97 ERA for the Milwaukee Brewers (2020-21) and Rays (2021-23). The Oregon State product was acquired in May of 2021 in the trade that sent shortstop Willy Adames to the Brewers.

Also on Friday, the Rays claimed right-hander Zack Littell off waivers from the Boston Red Sox. To make room on the 40-man roster, left-hander Garrett Cleavinger (knee) was moved to the 60-day IL. Right-hander Chase Anderson, who had been designated for assignment, was claimed by the Colorado Rockies.

–Field Level Media