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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

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

Originally posted on Fastball on SI | By Brady Farkas | Last updated Mar 23, 2025 4:34 PM ET

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.”

Great news on #Rays 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…
— Ryan Bass (@Ry_Bass) March 23, 2025

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.

Kevin Cash tells @ChrisAdamsWall that McClanahan’s injury was in the triceps area. Imaging tmrw. @raysradio.
— Andrew Freed (@andybfreed) March 22, 2025

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.

#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.
— Gabrielle Starr (@gfstarr1) March 22, 2025

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.

This article first appeared on Fastball on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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