ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Drew Smyly, who is rehabbing a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder, says there should be a clearer picture whether he can return this season in about eight weeks.
"It doesn't seem to be in the discussion right now," Smyly said about the possibility of having season-ending surgery before Thursday night's game against the Oakland A's. "In the future, who knows? Everybody seems confident I can get back without it."
The team said last week that Smyly would miss the rest of the season, but on Tuesday, manager Kevin Cash intimated that the pitcher might be able to return in 2015.
Smyly was put on the 60-day disabled list May 9, retroactive to May 6. He also started the year on the DL after hurting the shoulder at spring training.
He hopes to resume playing catch in the next couple weeks.
"I don't think we're out of the woods by any means, but if there's a chance for him to pitch this year, I think it's great," Cash said. "We're thrilled with the news."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.