2 years later, Shane Baz set to return to Rays, show what he can do

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Before the right elbow issues that surfaced in mid July 2022 and eventually led to Tommy John surgery that September, Shane Baz was considered one of the most promising pitching prospects in the majors.

Nearly two full years since his last big-league game, Baz is set to make his return, starting Friday night at Texas, replacing the traded Aaron Civale in the Rays' rotation.

"We're excited," manager Kevin Cash said. "Shane was a big part of our future, then the injury kind of derailed him. ... The talent's definitely there.

"It's a big power fastball. He's got a four-pitch mix. I think he's still working himself back into major-league form, but what he did his last two, three, four outings in (Triple-A) Durham was really encouraging. It's nice to have him back."

Baz, 25, would have been ready to return earlier in the season, but a left oblique strain sustained in spring training kept him on the injured list and rehab routine into late May. Then the Rays optioned him to Durham so he could keep building innings and getting better.

He impressed over five June starts, working five innings twice and six once, allowing four earned runs (1.57 ERA), striking out 35 in 23 innings, reaching 99 mph in his last start.

"The stuff and the talent, obviously, is undeniable, and it's just a matter of continuing that progression here," pitching coach Kyle Snyder said. "The progress he's made over the last month really stood out. It's time for him to show what he's capable of here."

The Rays know Baz may need some time to readjust to the majors, and to build innings, targeting five to six at the high end for Friday. Balancing his extended time off, workload limitations (he has not pitched 100 innings in any pro season and already is at 39 1/3) and competitiveness will be somewhat of a challenge.

Snyder is confident that with honest and open communication they can work through it.

"He's been really putting in a lot of diligent work with (Durham pitching coach) Brian Reith down there and the rest of our pitching group, and realizing that there's maybe a few more things to return to full form," Snyder said.

"But the talent, like I said, it's undeniable. It's a 25-year-old kid with very little underneath him but as much upside as probably any young right-handed starter in baseball."

Given the inconvenience of their late arrival after playing Thursday night, the Rays had Baz fly ahead to Texas to be well-rested for Friday.

Lowe vs. Lowe, Part 4 The brothers Lowe — Tampa Bay outfielder Josh and Texas first baseman Nathaniel — will face off for the fourth time in the major leagues during this weekend's series at Globe Life Field.

Josh said their mother Wendy, who has been battling brain cancer, will be there, along with their father David and several members of their extended family. Both Lowes were on the injured list when the Rangers visited Tropicana Field in April.

Josh Lowe left Thursday's game with cramping throughout his body, but said he should be good to face the Rangers. The brothers met in two regular-season series last year and the AL wild-card matchup.

Randy Arozarena's third-inning walk extended his on-base streak to 17 games, the longest current such streak in the majors and three shy of his career high. ... Isaac Paredes' first-inning walk extended his streak to 15 games. ... Cash gave Yandy Diaz the night off, noting it had been awhile — since April 27 — that he sat out an entire game. Richie Palacios moved into the leadoff spot. ... Civale will have his first start for the Brewers on Friday in Los Angeles against the Dodgers and another ex-Ray, Tyler Glasnow. ... The Rays are 10-16 in July 4 games ... Ryan Pepiot's Wednesday start was the first time in 32 major-league games he didn't record a strikeout.

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