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Kevin Cash Says Tampa Bay Rays Got Great Injury News on Shane McClanahan

McClanahan, coming back from Tommy John surgery this season, left with an apparent arm injury on Saturday. Manager Kevin Cash provided a solid update on Sunday, though McClanahan will start the year on the injured list.

Brady Farkas

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Shane McClanahan (18) talks to catcher Danny Jansen (19) against the New York Mets in the first inning during spring training at Charlotte Sports Park on March 1.
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Shane McClanahan (18) talks to catcher Danny Jansen (19) against the New York Mets in the first inning during spring training at Charlotte Sports Park on March 1. / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
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UPDATE, Sunday, 4:30 p.m. ET: According to manager Kevin Cash, the Rays have gotten some best-case scenario news regarding McClanahan, who has a nerve issue in his triceps. He will start the year on the injured list.

Per Rays reporter Ryan Bass on social media:

Great news on Shane McClanahan. It’s an inflamed nerve in the left triceps, imaging confirmed. He’ll start the season on the IL, but Kevin Cash said they’re “very fortunate” it wasn’t worse. No timeline on a return yet, as they see how Mac responds to rest and recovery, but this was the best-case scenario.

“It was more nerve-related,” Kevin Cash said, “so calm the nerve down, and then see how he progresses, get a ball back in his hand. I mean, probably the best news that we could have heard.”

UPDATE, 4:10 p.m. ET: Rays broadcaster Andrew Freed put on social media that McClanahan experienced discomfort in his triceps area. There is imaging to come on Sunday.

2:30p.m. ET: In his final start before Opening Day, Tampa Bay Rays' ace Shane McClanahan left Saturday's contest against the Boston Red Sox with a troubling arm injury.

Per Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald on social media:

#Rays Shane McClanahan appeared to hurt his arm throwing a pitch to Kristian Campbell in the top of the 3rd. He immediately waved to the bench and removed himself from the game.

Depending on the severity of the injury, that could be devastating for the Rays, who are counting on McClanahan to be the ace of the staff once again. He missed all of last season with Tommy John surgery.

A three-year veteran, McClanahan is already a two-time All-Star. Despite getting injured at the end of 2023, he still finished sixth in the American League Cy Young voting. Lifetime, McClanahan is 33-16 with a 3.02 ERA. He strikes out more than 10 batters (10.1) per nine innings for his career.

The Rays finished 80-82 last season, missing the playoffs by finishing fourth in the American League East. With McClanahan back in the fold, they have been expected to contend for a playoff berth this season. In addition to getting him back, they've also added Ha-seong Kim in free agency.

The Rays will provide an update after the game, assuredly, and we will have the information once it's relayed. In addition to McClanahan, the Rays' rotation has been expected to include Taj Bradley, Shane Baz, Zack Littell and Drew Rasmussen. Joe Boyle and Ryan Pepiot are also candidates.

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Brady Farkas
BRADY FARKAS

Brady Farkas is a baseball writer for Fastball on Sports Illustrated/FanNation and the host of 'The Payoff Pitch' podcast which can be found on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Videos on baseball also posted to YouTube. Brady has spent nearly a decade in sports talk radio and is a graduate of Oswego State University. You can follow him on Twitter @WDEVRadioBrady. 

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