Tampa Bay Rays Brent Honeywell leaves practice with arm injury
The Tampa Bay Rays were dealt a potentially tough blow for the upcoming season, as one Brent Honeywell left with an arm injury while throwing batting practice.
For all the talk about the Tampa Bay Rays punting the 2018 campaign, they still had an interesting roster. Their pitching staff, particularly the starting rotation, has a great deal of potential, with Chris Archer leading the staff. If Blake Snell and Jake Faria can take steps forward, and Nathan Eovaldi can return from injury and pitch well, the Rays rotation could be a force to be reckoned with.
The Rays rotation was expected to, at some point, be bolstered by one of the better pitching prospects in the game. Brent Honeywell had essentially shown that he had nothing left to prove in the minors, making it a matter of time before he joined the Rays rotation this year. However, an arm injury suffered while Honeywell was throwing live batting practice may change those plans.
#Rays Honeywell was 8-10 pitches into his BP session, threw a pitch, cursed loudly a couple times. Checked by trainer, the walked off mound and toward clubhouse. More when we know it. https://t.co/IWUbnKQcaw
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) February 22, 2018
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At this point, the Rays are not certain as to the extent of Honeywell’s injury. For now, the injury is said to be a “forearm strain,” although that may not actually be the case. The injury is also a source of major concern for Tampa Bay at this point, although more will be known after further tests. However, as “forearm strains” are often considered a sign of an impending Tommy John surgery, the Rays concern is understandable.
Losing Honeywell for an extended point in time would certainly be a huge blow to the Rays. Last year, as he got his first taste of AAA, he posted a combined 13-9 record, along with a 3.82 ERA and a 1.237 WHiP, striking out 172 batters in 136.2 innings, issuing only 35 walks. Armed with his excellent fastball and a devastating screwball, Honeywell may well become the next ace of the Rays.
Even though he was likely to start the year in the minors to push back his arbitration clock, Honeywell appeared ready to contribute to the Rays. He was set to be one of the next stars in Tampa Bay, perhaps as soon as May, when the Rays would need a fifth starter.
Next: Rays updated top ten prospects
The Tampa Bay Rays were likely counting on Brent Honeywell this season. Depending on the results of his examination, his timetable will be pushed back.