Tampa Bay Rays lose key starter just before trade deadline

The Tampa Bay Rays are reportedly in the market for a starting pitcher. That need became even more important on Friday.

Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander announced during an appearance on WDAE radio with Tom Krasniqi that pitcher Shane McClanahan is being placed on the Injured List due to tightness in his back. The Rays are hopeful that McClanahan will only miss two starts.

Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reported that McClanahan felt discomfort in his back early in his last outing and did not want it to develop into a more severe injury. However, something was clearly wrong as McClanahan fought his command throughout his outing, throwing only 29 of his 49 pitches for strikes while his fastball velocity was one mile per hour below his season average.

A stint on the injured list could work out best for Shane McClanahan, Tampa Bay Rays

After missing all of 2024 and the majority of 2025 due to Tommy John surgery and nerve surgery in his left triceps, McClanahan had returned to form for the Rays in 2026. He had posted a 3.09 ERA and a 1.121 WHIP over his 99 innings, striking out 91 batters with 35 walks.

The Rays have been carefully monitoring McClanahan's innings this season as he has pitched into the sixth inning seven times and has not thrown more than 90 pitches in his 20 starts. By placing McClanahan on the IL, they can give him a break for a couple of weeks to have him ready to go in the postseason.

Nonetheless, losing McClanahan places an additional emphasis on the Rays' need for pitching. While the remaining quartet of Nick Martinez, Drew Rasmussen, Griffin Jax and Ian Seymour have performed well, the Rays still need a top-of-the-rotation starter if they are going to contend for the World Series.