He was originally scheduled to start Tuesday’s Graefruit League game, but the Tampa Bay Rays decided that morning to push back right-hander Luis Patino’s 2022 debut.
According to John Romano of the Tampa Bay Times, Patino’s arm “didn’t feel right” while playing catch on Monday.
On the heels of Shane Baz’s minor elbow surgery, the #Rays have scratched Luis Patino from today’s scheduled start. His arm didn’t feel quite right yesterday. He’s going to throw BP on Wednesday. No panic yet but stay tuned.
— John Romano (@romano_tbtimes) March 22, 2022
The 22-year-old was one of the major pieces Tampa Bay acquired in the trade that sent former Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell to the San Diego Padres.
Marc Topkin of the Times reported after the game that manager Kevin Cash said the team will determine the next step for the right-hander after Wednesday’s bullpen session, whether it is a live batting practice or straight into a Grapefruit League game.
#Rays Cash with further clarification on Patino: He will throw a bullpen session Wednesday, then if all goes well be slotted in next for live BP or game.
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) March 22, 2022
Steve Carney is the founder and publisher of St. Pete Nine. One of the people most associated with baseball coverage in Tampa Bay, he spent 13 seasons covering the Rays for flagship radio station WDAE, first as producer of Rays Radio broadcasts, then as beat reporter beginning in 2011. He likes new analytics and aged bourbon, and is the owner of one of the ugliest knuckleballs ever witnessed by baseball scouts.
