Brent Honeywell is on the comeback trail as he rehabs from Tommy John surgery.

One of the top pitching prospects in baseball, Honeywell underwent the knife in February after tearing his UCL at the onset of spring training. Honeywell came into camp with the expectation that he’d be competing for a spot in the starting rotation, but the injury resulted in him missing the entire season and he is expected to return midway through the 2019 campaign.

Yesterday, Honeywell took an important step as he threw off a mound for the first time since having the surgery performed.

Jose De Leon is also progressing in his rehab. He too, arrived in camp last February with the hope of landing on the Rays Opening Day roster and had impressed the Rays brass early. Unfortunately, he would also have to undergo the knife, causing him to miss the entire 2018 season as well. He threw off a mound for the first time in his rehab just a few days ago.

Both pitchers are thought to be integral to the Rays future success and to see them healthy and throwing off the mound again, is tremendous.

Rays News

• Hillsborough finally outlines how it might pay for new Rays stadium in Ybor City - Noah Pransky, WTSP
• So what will Rays new ‘process and analytics’ coach do? - Marc Topkin, Tampa Bay Times
• Rays ballpark, ferry and transit tax lawsuit could mean a feisty first meeting for Hillsborough’s new Democratic-majority commission - Christopher O’Donnell, Tampa Bay Times

Around the League

• Diamondbacks Sign RHP Merrill Kelly - James Attwood, AZ Snake Pit
• Mets interested in J.T. Realmuto - Lucas Vlahos, Amazin Avenue
• Washington Nationals sign Patrick Corbin to a 6-year/$140M deal pending physical... - Patrick Reddington, Federal Baseball
• Orioles non-tender Tim Beckham, who is a great bounce-back candidate in 2019 - Jacob Markle, Bless You Boys