Rays Ace Shane McClanahan ‘Highly Unlikely’ to Pitch Again This Season

McClanahan visited a specialist on Monday and is now expected to miss the remainder of the season.

Rays ace Shane McClanahan was placed on the 15-day IL on Thursday after experiencing left forearm tightness, but the 26-year-old received even further bad news after meeting with a specialist on Monday.

Tampa manager Kevin Cash indicated Tuesday that McClanahan is not expected to pitch again in 2023 after meeting with Dr. Neal Elattrache. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Cash called it “highly unlikely” that McClanahan is able to take the mound again this season.

McClanahan’s latest IL stint is his second of the season, having previously missed time in July due to tightness in his back. He’s the third Rays’ starter to suffer a season-ending injury in 2023, joining the likes of Jeffery Springs and Drew Rasmussen, both of whom underwent Tommy John surgery.

McClanahan was enjoying a strong season for the Rays, registering an 11–2 record across 21 starts and making his second consecutive trip to the All-Star Game. He owns a 3.29 ERA and 121 strikeouts through 115 innings on the mound and was considered an American League Cy Young contender. 

His last start came Wednesday against the Yankees, during which McClanahan exited the game after surrendering five runs in the fourth inning. 

Tampa currently sits in second place in the AL East, trailing the division-leading Orioles by three games.