Drew Rasmussen appears on pace to return to Oregon State baseball.

Major League Baseball did not grant Rasmussen free agency, a league source confirmed to The Oregonian/OregonLive. Kendall Rogers of D1Baseball.com first reported the news.

The Beavers' ace right-hander did not sign with the Tampa Bay Rays before the draft signing deadline and now does not have the freedom to sign with another MLB team.

Rasmussen still has two remaining years of college eligibility and could try again to reach the professional ranks in the 2018 MLB draft.

The Rays selected Rasmussen with the 31st overall pick in the 2017 MLB draft in June. But the two sides could not come to terms on a deal before the July 7 deadline.

Baseball America, citing "two sources familiar with the situation," reported two weeks ago that there were "discrepancies" between Rasmussen's predraft MRI exam and the MRI conducted as his postdraft physical by the Rays.

The Rays released a statement, in part stating, "We wish Drew the best as he moves forward. We will have no further comment on the matter."

The slot value for the pick was $2,134,900, according to Baseball America.

Rasmussen went 3-0 with a 1.00 ERA in 2017, throwing 27 innings over eight appearances and four starts. He returned in late April -- 13 months after undergoing Tommy John surgery that took away much of his sophomore season.

Oregon State players KJ Harrison (Milwaukee Brewers), Jake Thompson (Boston Red Sox), Max Engelbrekt (Washington Nationals) and recruit Kevin Watson Jr. (Arizona Diamondbacks) all signed professional contracts.

-- Danny Moran