The Tampa Bay Rays have of course been playing without their ace, Tyler Glasnow, all season. Glasnow suffered a partially torn UCL injury late last season. He underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery in August. Then this spring while rehabbing, he was forced to have arthroscopic surgery on his right ankle. This pushed his timetable for potential return essentially into the 2023 season.

However, the former Cy Young candidate posted a video to his Instagram on Tuesday that shows his progress might be ahead of schedule. In the video, the Rays ace is seen throwing from a mound for the first time since last year.

Rays manager Kevin Cash was asked about the post and sarcastically said: “Yeah, thrilled that he posted that to his social media. So, good for Tyler, glad he feels good.”

Prior to his injury last season, the Rays starter posted a 2.66 ERA, 0.93 WHIP across 14 starts. He impressively struck out 123 batters in just 88 innings, for an astounding 12.6 K/9 rate.

This by no means that Glasnow will be able to return this season. The Rays are being very cautious and pessimistic at this point. But this does at least open the door for the possibility of him returning at the end of this season. That would go a long way in determining if the Rays make the playoffs and can make it back to the World Series.

The Rays are currently in a dog fight with the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox in the American League East division. Of course, all of them are still well behind the New York Yankees. But each of them are hoping to claim one of the wild card spots.