Rays’ Tyler Glasnow diagnosed with partial UCL tear, flexor strain

Rays right-hander Tyler Glasnow has been diagnosed with a partial UCL tear and a flexor strain in his right arm. He exited Monday night’s start against the White Sox after four innings due to the injury:

This puts Glasnow at risk for Tommy John surgery, though ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that Glasnow hopes to try to rehab the injury rather than undergoing surgery immediately. Tampa is now without its top three starters from last season’s run to the World Series, with Blake Snell having been traded to San Diego, Charlie Morton having joined Atlanta in free agency, and Glasnow now injured.

Glasnow, 27, has been the Rays’ most consistent pitcher this season, posting a 2.66 ERA with a 0.93 WHIP, 123 strikeouts, and 27 walks over 88 innings. Losing their ace is undoubtedly a major blow for the Rays, especially in an AL East that is the most competitive division in the American League, but they are fortunate to have an exceptional amount of pitching depth — perhaps the most in all of Major League Baseball. It’s not a given that the Rays will call up a pitcher to replace Glasnow in the rotation — they could just make greater use out of pitchers like Collin McHugh and Michael Wacha who have worked in shorter stints lately — but top prospect Luis Patiño could be a candidate to join the major league club if more starting depth is needed.