ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Right-hander Drew Rasmussen and the Tampa Bay Rays avoided salary arbitration, agreeing Tuesday to an $8.5 million, two-year contract that could be worth up to $28 million over three seasons.
Rasmussen receives a $500,000 signing bonus and salaries of $2 million this year and $5.5 million in 2026.
Tampa Bay holds an $8 million option for 2027 with a $500,000 buyout, and the option includes $6 million in escalators based on health and $6 million based on starts.
The option price would increase by $1.5 million if he has 45 or fewer injured-list days related to his arm in 2026 and 75 or fewer IL days and is deemed to be healthy for 2027.
Alternatively, he has up to $6 million in escalation available under a second provision as long as he is found healthy for 2027: $2.5 million for more than 75 arm-related IL days or more than 105 total IL days; $3.5 million for 75 or fewer arm-related IL days and 105 or fewer total days; $4.5 million for 45 or fewer arm-related IL days and 75 or fewer total IL days; and $6 million for 15 or fewer arm-related IL days and 45 or fewer total IL days.
He has up to $6 million in additional escalators for games started in 2026: $500,000 for eight, $750,000 for 12, $1 million each for 16 and 20, $1.25 million for 24 and $1.5 million for 28.
A 29-year-old right-hander, Rasmussen had been set to exchange proposed arbitration salaries with the Rays on Thursday.
He had elbow surgery for the third time on July 24, 2023, when Texas Rangers team physician Dr. Keith Meister performed an internal brace procedure. Rasmussen returned to the Rays on Aug. 7 and had a 2.82 ERA and 0-2 record in four starts and 12 relief appearances. He struck out 35 and walked six in 28 2/3 innings, averaging 97.4 mph with his four-seam fastball.
Rasmussen had Tommy John surgery in March 2016 and August 2017. He is 20-12 with a 2.95 ERA in 50 starts and 44 relief appearances over five big league seasons with Milwaukee (2020-21) and the Rays (2021-24).
If the option is not exercised, Rasmussen would be eligible for free agency after the 2026 season.
Five Rays remain eligible for arbitration: right-handers Shane Baz and Zack Littell, left-hander Garrett Cleavinger, catcher Ben Rortvedt and shortstop Taylor Walls.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
FILE - Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Drew Rasmussen delivers against the New York Yankees in the first inning of a baseball game, May 11, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)
BOSTON (AP) — Jayson Tatum had 35 points and seven rebounds and the Boston Celtics powered past the Philadelphia 76ers 123-105 on Thursday night.
It was Tatum’s 24th game this season with at least 30 points even though he sat out the entire fourth quarter as Boston won for the ninth time in its last 11 games.
Payton Pritchard added 19 points and Derrick White finished with 12 points after having one of his teeth knocked out in the first half when he took an inadvertent elbow. But he returned to start the third quarter.
Kelly Oubre Jr. led the 76ers with 27 points and Lonnie Walker IV added 17.
Both teams were short-handed.
The Celtics played without Jaylen Brown (knee), Jrue Holiday (finger), Al Horford (toe), Kristaps Porzingis (illness) and Sam Hauser (ankle).
The 76ers were missing Joel Embiid (knee), Paul George (left groin), Eric Gordon (wrist), Kyle Lowry (hip), Tyrese Maxey (back) and Jared McCain (knee).
76ers: Oubre tried to carry the scoring load on a night when he was surrounded by reserves. But he didn’t get nearly enough help.
Celtics: As Boston gets over some recent ailments, young players continue to have some promising moments. Neemias Queta was scolded by coach Joe Mazzulla after a first-half stint, but was mostly solid down the stretch, finishing with eight points, nine rebounds and and four assists.
The Celtics led 97-79 heading into the fourth quarter. They then opened the final period on a 10-0 run that included six straight points – and back-to-back dunks – by Queta as Boston’s lead grew to 30.
In the third quarter Tatum was whistled for his 10th technical foul of the season. That leaves him six away from a one-game suspension.
The 76ers host Utah on Sunday night. The Celtics host the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
Philadelphia 76ers guard Kelly Oubre Jr. (9) argues a call during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics, Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston Celtics forward Torrey Craig (12) looks to pass while pressured by Philadelphia 76ers guard Quentin Grimes (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives to the basket against the ePhiladelphia 76ers during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla calls to his players during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston Celtics center Luke Kornet (40) battles for a rebound against Philadelphia 76ers guard Kelly Oubre Jr. during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston Celtics guard Derrick White, right, is pressured by Philadelphia 76ers guard Kelly Oubre Jr. on a shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) celebrates after a 3-pointer against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives to the basket on a dunk against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
