Rays Manager Cash Confirms Rasmussen Will Pitch Game 5 on Three Days Rest

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash confirmed on Tuesday that Drew Rasmussen will start Game 5 of the World Series on Wednesday night. The decision places the right-handed pitcher on three days of rest as the Rays attempt to avoid elimination against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Rasmussen, 31, threw 89 pitches in Game 2 on Saturday. He gave up four runs in the first inning and took no decision in that contest. The Brewers rallied to win 5-4, taking a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series at the time.

"Called Ras right after he'd left the ballpark, and he was 100% on board wanting the ball," Cash said. "He held out from throwing a bullpen yesterday with this possibly in the back of his mind that he's going to go out and prepare. I think Ras, knowing him, he's pretty motivated to get back out there and give us what he can. He wasn't satisfied with how maybe Game 2 went."

The pitcher has undergone three major elbow operations during his career. Those procedures include Tommy John surgeries in 2016 and 2017 and an internal brace procedure in 2023. In the 2026 regular season, the two-time All-Star posted a 16-5 record with a 2.67 earned run average.

Rasmussen served as an opener for Tampa Bay in 2024 and has made short starts on two days of rest following relief appearances. For the Brewers, Jacob Misiorowski is scheduled to start on the regular four days of rest. Milwaukee holds a 3-1 series lead after wasting a 12th-inning lead in a 4-3 loss on Tuesday.

The Rays used seven pitchers in Tuesday's game. The staff included starter Griffin Jax and relievers Kevin Kelly, Nick Martinez, Bryan Baker, Tyler Wells, Cam Booser, and Ian Seymour. Third baseman Junior Caminero is in the lineup for Wednesday, batting third.

Caminero left Tuesday night's game for a pinch runner in the 12th inning. He limped while favoring his left foot after leading off the 12th on an error. He advanced from first to third on a single by Liam Hicks before being replaced. "He's been dealing with some lower extremity injuries, but there's a lot of guys that are nicked up right now playing through a lot," Cash said. "Know that Cammy will be ready to go today."