Shane McClanahan, the Tampa Bay Rays’ left-handed pitcher, left his final spring training game against the Boston Red Sox due to tightness in his pitching arm’s triceps. The team announced that he would undergo imaging and testing to assess the severity of the issue. This injury raises concerns as McClanahan has not appeared in a major league game since August 2023 after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
During Saturday’s game, McClanahan pitched 2⅓ innings, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out three batters. His outing took a concerning turn when he threw a pitch to Red Sox prospect Kristian Campbell and immediately showed signs of pain, dropping his left arm and calling for the training staff. This incident now puts his return to regular-season action in question.
Shane McClanahan (MLB)McClanahan’s Opening Day Status Uncertain Amid Injury Concerns and Careful Workload Management
McClanahan had been slated to start for the Rays on Opening Day against the Colorado Rockies on March 28, a role he previously held in 2022 and 2023. However, his latest setback makes it uncertain whether he will be ready for the season opener. The Rays had carefully managed his workload this spring, limiting him to just two previous starts, where he pitched a total of 4⅔ scoreless innings.
A two-time All-Star, McClanahan has been a key player for the Rays, posting a career record of 33-16 with a 3.02 ERA across 74 games. He has thrown 404⅔ innings with 456 strikeouts over three seasons. Now, the focus shifts to his recovery, as the Rays await further evaluation to determine the impact of this latest injury on his season.
