Rays manager Kevin Cash said Wednesday that Odorizzi has been reassigned to Triple-A Durham to begin the season, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.
Odorizzi signed a minor-league deal with the Rays on March 15 and didn't have sufficient time to make a case for a spot in the Opening Day rotation, but the organization isn't closing the door on him filling a starting role with the big club once he's fully stretched out. According to Cash, Odorizzi will make his first start with Durham on Tuesday, and the Rays will go "start-to-start" with him in the minors before deciding if or when he'll be called up. The 34-year-old Odorizzi owns a lifetime 3.99 ERA and 1.25 WHIP across 1,253.1 innings in the majors, but his outlook is murky after he missed the entire 2023 season while recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder.
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Rays' Jake Odorizzi: Pitching in Tuesday's game
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Odorizzi will pitch in Tuesday's game versus the Tigers rather than a minor-league game Wednesday as initially scheduled, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
The Rays decided Tuesday's contest would be a truer test as to how close the veteran right-hander is to being ready to pitch in a regular-season game with the big club. Odorizzi missed the entire 2023 season while recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder and will begin 2024 in the minors. However, if he looks sharp, he could join the Rays sooner rather than later, particularly since there is a need in the rotation with Shane Baz (elbow) or Taj Bradley (pectoral) out.
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Rays' Jake Odorizzi: Not in line for Opening Day roster
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Odorizzi won't be included on the Rays' Opening Day roster with Tampa Bay expected to begin the season with Tyler Alexander as the No. 5 option in its rotation, Jayson Stark of The Athletic reports.
Odorizzi is fully healthy again after missing the entire 2023 season while recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder, but after he had been a free agent all offseason until signing a minor-league deal with the Rays on March 15, he didn't have sufficient time to make a case for the final spot in the big-league rotation. The right-hander's next steps remain unclear, but he could elect to continue ramping up at the Rays' extended spring training facility over the next few weeks with the hope of eventually gaining consideration for the big-league roster. If Alexander falters in his role as a No. 5 starter/bulk reliever, long reliever Jacob Waguespack would likely be next in line before Odorizzi to fill the void, at least until either of Shane Baz (elbow) or Taj Bradley (pectoral) is cleared to return from the injured list.
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Rays' Jake Odorizzi: Back with Tampa Bay
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Odorizzi agreed to a minor-league contract with the Rays on Friday that includes an invite to big-league camp.
The veteran right-hander was with the Rays from 2013 to 2017 and will rejoin the organization after sitting out last season while recovering from shoulder surgery. Odorizzi made 22 starts in 2022 split between Houston and Atlanta and had a 4.40 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 86:35 K:BB across 106.1 innings.
Odorizzi (shoulder) has been throwing off a mound without restrictions and hopes to sign with a team in the coming weeks, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.
Odorizzi didn't pitch last season, having undergone an arthroscopic debridement procedure on his right shoulder last April. He appears to be fully recovered, though, and has thrown for scouts from 10-to-12 interested clubs, per Morosi. The 33-year-old posted a 4.40 ERA and 86:35 K:BB over 106.1 innings covering 22 starts with Houston and Atlanta in 2022.
Rangers' Jake Odorizzi: Having season-ending surgery
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Odorizzi will be sidelined for the remainder of the season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Odorizzi missed all of spring training with a shoulder issue and ultimately it was determined surgery was the best route. It's a blow to the Rangers' rotation depth and poor timing for Odorizzi, who is slated to become a free agent after the season.
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Rangers' Jake Odorizzi: Heads to 60-day IL
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The Rangers placed Odorizzi (arm) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Initial reports suggested that Odorizzi had been dealing with normal fatigue or soreness in his right arm, but his move to the 60-day IL suggests the issue is more serious than it previously appeared. The 33-year-old was acquired from Atlanta over the winter, but it remains unclear when he might be able to debut for Texas. Grant reports that Odorizzi isn't expected to require surgery to address the arm injury.
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Rangers' Jake Odorizzi: Could require long absence
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Odorizzi's arm injury could keep him out long enough to require a trip to the 60-day injured list, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Odorizzi has been dealing with arm fatigue this spring, and it seems as though the issue may be more serious than that. His timeline isn't entirely clear, but the fact that a trip to the 60-day injured list is in play suggests that he's set to miss substantial time.
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Rangers' Jake Odorizzi: Ruled out for Opening Day
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Rangers manager Bruce Bochy confirmed Wednesday that Odorizzi (arm) won't have enough time to complete his throwing progression prior to Opening Day, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Odorizzi resumed throwing bullpen sessions just over a week ago but has yet to pitch in any Cactus League or minor-league games up to this point in spring training, so he looks like he'll stay back in Arizona to continue building up when the Rangers close camp in less than two weeks and head back to Texas. The Rangers have characterized Odorizzi's injury as right arm fatigue, so he doesn't appear to be dealing with a major concern and will most likely be ticketed for a brief stint on the shelf to begin the season. Odorizzi's absence should clear a path for Dane Dunning to break camp as the Rangers' No. 5 starter, and the team may have another spot available in the rotation if Nathan Eovaldi (side) is unable to gain clearance for Opening Day.
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Rangers' Jake Odorizzi: Opening Day in doubt
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Odorizzi's (arm) availability for Opening Day is in doubt, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.
Odorizzi threw another bullpen session Sunday but has yet to face hitters this spring after dealing with some fatigue in his pitching arm. The Rangers are expected to have a better idea next week as to Odorizzi's outlook. He's projected to serve as a multi-inning reliever for Texas.
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Rangers' Jake Odorizzi: Throws Sunday
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Odorizzi (arm) threw a bullpen session Sunday, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.
Odorizzi is behind other pitchers due to what Texas general manager Chris Young described as normal fatigue. That he was able to throw Sunday indicates a Cactus League debut is in the offing. A long time starter in MLB, Odorizzi is expected to pitch multi-inning relief for the Rangers in 2023.
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Rangers' Jake Odorizzi: Dealing with arm fatigue
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Rangers general manager Chris Young said Wednesday that Odorizzi is a bit behind schedule in spring training due to right arm fatigue, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Young sounded unconcerned, indicating that Odorizzi was dealing with typical early spring aches and pains. It's not clear, however, when Odorizzi might be cleared for Cactus League action. The veteran right-hander currently appears to be in line to fill a long-relief role for Texas, though he could be set for a good number of piggyback starts or turns as a primary pitcher out of the bullpen.
