Tampa Bay Rays being cautious with Brent Honeywell
By David Hill
After experiencing elbow soreness, the Tampa Bay Rays have shut down Brent Honeywell for a few days.
The Tampa Bay Rays are in great shape in the early part of the season. With a 14-4 record heading into Thursday’s action, Tampa Bay was off to their best start in franchise history. That start promised to be even better come the summer, especially considering that reinforcements are expected to return to the rotation.
One of those reinforcements, Brent Honeywell, may take a little longer in returning. Although there may be nothing to worry about, the Rays are being cautious after he experienced soreness in his elbow, shutting Honeywell down for a few days.
#Rays Honeywell didn’t throw today; he is experiencing some soreness in the elbow, Cash said, and will be shut down for at least a few days
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) April 18, 2019
This caution is certainly understandable. Honeywell had undergone Tommy John surgery after suffering an injury while throwing batting practice in Spring Training last season. As he is approximately 12 months from surgery, there is plenty of time to make certain that his elbow is right.
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Honeywell had been quite impressive in his last minor league season. In 2017, he posted a 13-9 record with a 3.49 ERA and a 1.237 WHiP, with 172 strikeouts and only 35 walks in his 136.2 innings between AA and AAA.
A consensus top 100 prospect for each of the past four seasons, Honeywell had been expected to be a part of the Rays rotation in 2018 once he had an extra year of control. Obviously, that plan went for naught once Honeywell’s elbow blew. At this point, it makes far more sense for the Rays to take any precautions necessary to ensure that Honeywell is as healthy as possible when he does make his major league debut.
Chances are, Honeywell will spend some time in AAA when he is ready. He will get himself back into game shape, working to recapture the form that made him one of the top prospects in the game. If his elbow holds up, Honeywell could still be a part of the Rays plans come the All Star break.
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Brent Honeywell is being shut down for a few days due to elbow soreness. The Tampa Bay Rays will be cautious with their prized prospect, but he should still help in the second half of the season.