Tampa Bay Rays Pitcher Shane McClanahan Could Miss Rest of Season, Per Manager

Kevin Cash was not particularly optimistic when talking to the media about ace Shane McClanahan's injury status on Tuesday.

Tampa Bay Race ace Shane McClanahan may not pitch again this season, according to manager Kevin Cash.

McClanahan reportedly went to Los Angeles to visit elbow specialist Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Monday. Cash spoke with the media about McClanahan's status on Tuesday, shedding some light on the precarious situation the team is facing with its top starter.

According to Cash, it is "highly unlikely" that McClanahan pitches again in 2023.

McClanahan last pitched Aug. 2 against the New York Yankees, when he felt tightness in his forearm while warming up for the fourth inning. The 26-year-old lefty went on the 15-day injured list on Aug. 3.

McClanahan previously hit the injured list on July 1 due to mid-back tightness. Before he went down, the 26-year-old was 11-1 with a 2.53 ERA, 1.167 WHIP, .211 batting average against and .650 OPS against.

Upon his return, McClanahan posted one quality start against the Texas Rangers, but was otherwise off in his following three outings. McClanahan is 0-1 with a 7.77 ERA, 1.455 WHIP, .292 batting average against and .876 OPS against since the season's midpoint.

McClanahan is now 11-2 with a 3.29 ERA and 1.183 WHIP on the season. His 9.5 strikeouts per nine innings are a career low.

For the second year in a row, McClanahan made the All-Star Game, but he did not pitch in it due to his back injury.

This is just the latest blow to the Rays' starting rotation, which still managed to have the lowest ERA in baseball at the end of July despite all the injuries.

Drew Rasmussen and Jeffrey Springs are out for the year, with McClanahan on pace to join them. Tyler Glasnow missed the first two months of the season, and he was scratched from his start Sunday due to back spasms.

When either McClanahan, Glasnow, Rasmussen or Springs start, the Rays are 29-15. When anyone else starts, they are 39-31.

Tampa Bay acquired Aaron Civale in a trade with the Cleveland Guardians on July 31 to help ease that issue, but the stakes will be high in August and September. The Rays may be 5-2 in their last seven games, but they fell out of first place in the AL East thanks to an 8-16 July.

The Rays will try to keep weathering the storm Tuesday against the St. Louis Cardinals. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET, with Zach Eflin slated to take the mound for Tampa Bay.

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