Rays lefty Drew Smyly diagnosed with torn labrum, deciding between surgery, rehab

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.

The Tampa Bay Rays confirmed Wednesday that left-hander Drew Smyly has a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder, and he will seek an opinion from a Texas-based doctor on whether to begin rehab or choose surgery as a solution.

Smyly, 25, has made three starts this season and posted a 0-1 record with a 2.70 ERA and 21 strikeouts. He last pitched in a loss to the Boston Red Sox on May 5 at Fenway Park. The Rays placed Smyly on the 60-day disabled list Wednesday and claimed right-handed reliever Preston Guilmet off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays.

Rays manager Kevin Cash called Smyly's absence a "devastating blow," and the development stands as the latest setback for a staff that has dealt with a litany of health issues since spring training. Last Friday, right-hander Alex Cobb, thought to be the rotation's anchor before the season, announced his intention to undergo Tommy John surgery to repair a ligament tear in his throwing elbow.

Now Smyly will miss significant time. On Thursday, the pitcher will visit with Dr. Keith Meister, the Texas Rangers' team physician. There's a strong chance that Smyly will consider season-ending surgery.

"It's frustrating," Cash said. "I guess we've been prepped pretty good in this on how to handle it so far this year."

Smyly's shoulder issue stands as the latest unfortunate health development for him. In March, he was diagnosed with shoulder tendinitis that kept him out of all spring training games. Cash said Smyly recovered fully from that issue before the shoulder became a problem in the pitcher's most recent start, a 92-pitch, six-inning outing against the Red Sox.

"He felt good," Cash said. "He was still making progress getting his pitch count up. And then the start in Boston, he kind of complained — expressed some tightness starting in-between innings. So he finished the inning, went down, did his warm-ups, and that first batter, he couldn't quite get as loose as he would have liked, that comfort level."

Despite extended absences by Smyly and Cobb this season, the Rays' starting rotation has performed well. They lead the American League with a 3.57 ERA, and opponents have hit an anemic .222 against them. Rays starters have struck out 185 batters, a total that ranks second in the AL.

Still, the Rays face the strong prospect of moving forward this season without another start by Smyly, who posted an impressive 3-1 mark with a 1.70 ERA and 44 strikeouts in seven starts with Tampa Bay last year.

"It's difficult," Cash said. "But it's not any more difficult for the guys in the clubhouse. They seem to be handling it really well, so I don't think it should be difficult for us."

You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at aastleford@gmail.com.