Jul 2, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane McClanahan (18) walks toward the dugout during the seventh inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Rays place All-Star SP Shane McClanahan on IL with left shoulder impingement

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 8/31/22

The hits keep on coming to MLB postseason contenders and their All-Star starting pitchers.

The Rays have placed INF/OF Brandon Lowe (right triceps contusion) on the 10-day IL, retroactive to Aug 28, placed LH Shane McClanahan (left shoulder impingement) on the 15-day IL and recalled INF/OF Vidal Bruján and RH Calvin Faucher from Triple-A Durham.
— Rays Communications (@RaysPR) August 31, 2022

Now in his second big league season, McClanahan has taken over as the Tampa Bay Rays bona fide ace, as he leads all of baseball with his mark of 5.9 hits allowed per nine innings. The 25-year-old southpaw started the All-Star Game for the American League in July and is 11-5 with a 2.20 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 182 strikeouts across 24 starts covering 147 1/3 innings.

McClanahan was slated to start on Tuesday night, but cut his pregame bullpen session short due to the injury. Following the contest, Rays manager Kevin Cash said the team was "fairly optimistic" that the pitcher would be "fine," whereas the hurler said "something just didn't feel right... just couldn't get loose."

The @RaysBaseball Ace pitcher Shane McClanahan was supposed to start tonight but it was Shawn Armstrong who took the mound instead.

Here is McClanahan warming up before tonight's game.#MLB | #RaysUp pic.twitter.com/Ur3sqpJVcR
— Bally Sports Sun: Rays (@BallyRays) August 30, 2022

Tampa Bay (71-57) enters action Wednesday sitting seven games behind the AL East-leading New York Yankees, but holding onto the first AL wild-card spot.

The McClanahan news comes amidst a week of injuries to big-name starting pitchers on teams currently in position to make the playoffs. On Monday, the MLB-best Los Angeles Dodgers placed NL Cy Young contender Tony Gonsolin on the IL with a right forearm strain and on Tuesday, the AL-best Houston Astros put AL Cy Young frontrunner Justin Verlander on the IL with a right calf issue.

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