TAMPA — Determined to remain with a Rays team he relished being a core part of, Drew Rasmussen worked hard to recover from a May 2023 right elbow flexor strain that led to a third major surgery and sidelined him for more than a year.

Still, he accepted that he might not get that opportunity.

“After three elbow surgeries, I wouldn’t have blamed them had they been willing to walk away,” Rasmussen said.

That seems far-fetched now and could have been a massive fail, given how well Rasmussen has pitched this season. He enters Sunday’s start against the Marlins with a 5-4 record, 2.14 ERA, 23-inning scoreless streak that is just 1 ⅔ off the franchise record for a starter, and widespread acclaim in the clubhouse.

“He’s one of the best right-handed starters in the game,” pitching coach Kyle

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