Rays Select Rasmussen for Opening Pitch
The Tampa Bay Rays have selected right-handed pitcher Drew Rasmussen as their likely Game 1 starter for the 2026 World Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, according to a report from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The selection highlights the long-term impact of a 2021 trade that sent shortstop Willy Adames and right-handed pitcher Trevor Richards to Milwaukee in exchange for Rasmussen and fellow right-hander J.P. Feyereisen.
Game 1 of the World Series is scheduled to take place Friday in Milwaukee. The Rays will face their former division rivals, a team that Adames anchored for four seasons before departing following the 2024 campaign.
The Trade That Shaped the Roster
Rasmussen’s path to the World Series began with his acquisition by Tampa Bay on July 30, 2021. The Brewers had nearly completed a deal for Adames during spring training of that year, but negotiations collapsed. Talks resumed in mid-May 2021, and the teams finalized the agreement after approximately one week.
At the time of the trade, Adames was batting .197 with a .675 OPS. He rebounded significantly during his tenure in Milwaukee, finishing the 2021 season with a .285 batting average, a .521 slugging percentage, an .886 OPS, 20 home runs, and 58 RBIs. His performance earned him votes in Most Valuable Player balloting, where he finished 16th. Over his time with the Brewers, Adames accumulated 14 wins above replacement.
Adames stabilized the shortstop position for Milwaukee after the trade of Orlando Arcia and struggles by Luis Urias. He concluded his tenure with a .780 OPS and 107 home runs. Brewers president of baseball operations David Stearns stated in 2022 that the team knew they were getting a talented player with a high ceiling who would impact the organization on-field and in the clubhouse.
Adames departed after the 2024 season, signing a seven-year, $182 million deal with the Giants. He hit 30 home runs last year, though his overall numbers have dropped since leaving Milwaukee.
The Other Side of the Transaction
While Adames became the centerpiece of Milwaukee’s infield, Trevor Richards also played a role in the Brewers' recent history. Richards appeared in 15 games for Milwaukee with a 3.20 ERA before being traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for Rowdy Tellez.
Tellez became the team's chief offensive weapon in the 2021 playoffs and remained in Milwaukee through 2023, providing stability that complemented Adames’ presence at shortstop.
Rasmussen’s Path to the Mound
Rasmussen’s journey to the World Series opener was not a straight line. The Brewers considered using him as a starter but did not due to a plethora of young arms in the rotation, leading to his inclusion in the Adames deal.
Richards, meanwhile, continued his career elsewhere. He pitched for the Chicago White Sox, a playoff-qualifying team, in 2026 with a career 3.69 ERA. His departure from Milwaukee opened doors for other arms, including minor-leaguer Bowden Francis, who made it to the big leagues with the Blue Jays, posting a 3.87 ERA in 62 games before missing all of 2026 with injury.
The Context of the Rays’ Decision
The Rays' ability to acquire Rasmussen was tied to roster constraints involving Wander Franco. Adames served as a placeholder for Franco, who is on MLB's restricted list after being found guilty of sexual abuse of a minor.
This dynamic allowed Tampa Bay to pivot their roster construction, ultimately leading to the acquisition of Rasmussen and Feyereisen. Now, years later, Rasmussen stands ready to start Game 1 against the team that once held Adames’ rights.