KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Tyler Glasnow is expected to miss six to eight weeks because of a left oblique strain, the team said Tuesday.

The injury means he will miss the start of the regular season. The Rays hoped Glasnow and Shane McClanahan would form a 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation.

The 29-year-old right-hander was hurt while throwing batting practice on Monday. He threw just six pitches before stopping.

Glasnow rejoined the Rays' rotation last September after missing nearly 14 months because of Tommy John surgery.

Tampa Bay said Tuesday that an MRI detected a grade 2 strain.

The Rays’ opening day starter two years ago, Glasnow had Tommy John surgery on Aug. 4, 2021. The 6-foot-8 right-hander went 5-2 with a 2.66 ERA in 14 starts in 2021.

Glasnow signed a $30.35 million, two-year contract. He gets $5.35 million this season and $25 million in 2024, when he would have been eligible for free agency.

He was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2018 and is 20-20 in his major league career.