Drew Rasmussen Earns First All-Star Nod in Career Year for Rays originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Drew Rasmussen earns his first career All-Star selection as he steps in for Yusei Kikuchi, joining a strong Rays contingent headed to Atlanta for the 2025 Midsummer Classic.
The Tampa Bay Rays have added another player to their growing list of 2025 All-Stars, as right-hander Drew Rasmussen has been chosen to represent the American League in Atlanta. Rasmussen replaces Yusei Kikuchi on the roster as a reserve pitcher. It marks Rasmussen’s first All-Star selection and comes during what may be his best season yet.
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Through 19 starts, Rasmussen has posted an impressive 2.86 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP over 91 innings, putting him on track to approach his career-high of 146 innings set in 2022. After missing most of 2023 due to major elbow surgery, Rasmussen has made a strong comeback, reestablishing himself as a key pitcher in Tampa Bay’s rotation.
Rasmussen’s resurgence has been vital for the Rays, especially as they navigate a tough stretch in a competitive AL East. While he struggled in his most recent outing against the Red Sox, it doesn’t overshadow his consistent excellence throughout the season. He has become the cornerstone of a rotation that has kept the Rays in the playoff race, with a 50–45 record.
He joins Junior Caminero, Jonathan Aranda, and Brandon Lowe as Rays representatives in this year’s Midsummer Classic, though Lowe will not participate due to injury concerns.
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With the trade deadline approaching, the Rays are expected to stay cautious about moving any members of their young core. Rasmussen, who signed a contract extension in January, appears firmly in the team’s long-term plans as they chase another postseason run.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 12, 2025, where it first appeared.