Rays' Shane McClanahan: Picked as Opening Day starter
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McClanahan has been named the Rays' Opening Day starter, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.
McClanahan was an obvious choice, as he's coming off a season which saw him finish sixth in the American League Cy Young race. The left-hander will face off against the Tigers at home March 30.
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Rays' Shane McClanahan: Makes spring debut
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McClanahan allowed one hit and one walk while striking out two in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta.
McClanahan was on the mound for game action for the first time in 2023, and his outing was a success based on the stat sheet. Per Dawn Klemish of MLB.com, McClanahan worked through adjustments related to the pitch clock, as he noticed he was working too fast and his control was suffering as a result. The issue doesn't currently pose any reason for concern, as McClanahan specifically pointed out he was using the exhibition season to adjust to the new rule.
McClanahan was clocked in the upper-90-mph range Thursday during his first live batting practice session of the spring, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
That's an impressive and encouraging dose of news here in late February. McClanahan battled some injuries in the second half of the 2022 regular season -- most notably a shoulder impingement -- but he ended up with a brilliant 2.54 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 194:38 K:BB in 28 starts covering 166.1 innings. The 25-year-old left-hander also worked seven solid frames in the Wild Card Series against the Guardians. He's rightly going as a top-10 starter in early fantasy drafts for 2023.
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Rays' Shane McClanahan: Takes tough loss
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McClanahan (12-8) allowed two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out two over five innings, taking the loss Saturday versus the Astros.
McClanahan bounced back from a rough outing last Sunday versus the Blue Jays. Unfortunately for him, the Rays didn't offer enough support. The ace exited the game after 67 pitches (45 strikes), presumably to give him a bit of rest with the Rays' playoff spot confirmed Friday. The southpaw finished the regular season with a 2.54 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 194:38 K:BB across 166.1 innings through 28 starts. He's lined up to start Game 1 of the wild-card round against a yet-to-be-determined opponent.
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Rays' Shane McClanahan: Coughs up three homers
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McClanahan (12-7) yielded four runs on six hits and two walks over five innings Sunday, striking out two and taking a loss against Toronto.
McClanahan was taken deep three times Sunday, including twice by George Springer. The 6-foot-1 southpaw had allowed just two home runs over his previous 38.2 frames. After producing two straight scoreless starts, McClanahan has been tagged with nine runs over his last two, raising his season ERA to 2.51 through 27 starts. He's projected to make his final start of the regular season next weekend in Houston.
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Rays' Shane McClanahan: In line to start Sunday
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The Rays list McClanahan (neck) as their probable starter for Sunday's home game against the Blue Jays.
Unless he experiences a setback with his neck while warming up Sunday, McClanahan doesn't look as though he'll have to miss a turn through the rotation after he battled the minor injury in his last start Tuesday against the Astros. The All-Star lefty has taken a step back in performance in the second half, but his 3.94 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 43:16 K:BB in 45.2 innings since the break still make him a valuable fantasy option who needs to be rostered in every format.
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Rays' Shane McClanahan: Should make next start
Rotowire
McClanahan (12-6) took the loss against the Astros on Tuesday after he exited with neck tightness/spasms, but he expects to make his next turn through the rotation, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports. He allowed five runs on five hits with four walks and three strikeouts over four innings.
McClanahan lobbied to stay in the game but was removed for precautionary reasons, which is understandable given it was only his second start since he returned from the injured list. The 25-year-old lefty tentatively lines up to start Sunday versus the Blue Jays, though he'll likely need to throw a bullpen session before he's cleared for that outing.
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Rays' Shane McClanahan: Managing neck issue
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McClanahan was diagnosed with left neck tightness/spasms after leaving Tuesday's start against the Astros, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.
McClanahan appeared to be dealing with shoulder discomfort before he walked off the field with the training staff, but the initial diagnosis is a neck injury. The left-hander exited in line for the loss after he gave up five runs on five hits with four walks and three strikeouts over four innings. It's unclear whether the issue will affect McClanahan's availability for his next turn through the rotation, which tentatively lines up for Sunday versus the Blue Jays.
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Rays' Shane McClanahan: Leaves with apparent injury
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McClanahan was removed from Tuesday's start against the Astros with an apparent shoulder injury, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.
McClanahan showed some discomfort in his shoulder during the fifth inning of Tuesday's contest, and he exited after a brief visit from the training staff. The left-hander surrendered five runs on five hits with four walks and three strikeouts prior to leaving the game. It's a concerning development for the 25-year-old, who was making only his second start since returning from a three-week absence due to a shoulder impingement.
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Rays' Shane McClanahan: Handles Jays in return
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McClanahan (12-5) allowed three hits and one walk while striking out five across five scoreless innings to earn the win Thursday against the Blue Jays.
This marked McClanahan's first start since being placed on the injured list Aug. 31 with a left shoulder impingement. He was limited to only 69 pitches but was otherwise excellent, racking up 14 swinging strikes to shut down a strong Blue Jays lineup. The Rays will likely continue to play it safe with McClanahan's workload, but he's a good bet to turn in pristine ratios while on the mound. Across 152.1 innings this season, he has a 2.14 ERA and 187:31 K:BB.
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Rays' Shane McClanahan: Activated for Thursday's start
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McClanahan (shoulder) was activated from the injured list Thursday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.
McClanahan missed three weeks with his shoulder injury, but he is ready to return to action and will jump right back into the rotation Thursday night against the Blue Jays. McClanahan has faced Toronto only once this season, and the opponent had few answers for him, as he allowed just one earned run while striking out 10 batters over 7.0 innings to pick up the win back on July 2.
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Rays' Shane McClanahan: Could return Thursday
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McClanahan (shoulder) could return Thursday against Toronto, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.
McClanahan hit the injured list on the last day of August due to a shoulder impingement, but reports emerged quickly that he may not need more than a minimum-length absence. If he is indeed able to start Thursday, that will wind up being the case. He felt good after throwing a bullpen session Friday, so the odds of him making it back when first eligible look good.
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Rays' Shane McClanahan: Throws off mound
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McClanahan (shoulder) felt good after throwing 15-to-20 pitches off a mound Tuesday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.
After receiving a cortisone injection to help his shoulder recover, McClanahan has progressed rather quickly during his rehab process and began throwing Sunday. It looks increasingly likely that he will spend the minimum amount of time on the 15-day injured list.
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Rays' Shane McClanahan: Minimum IL stint possible
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Manager Kevin Cash said McClanahan underwent an MRI on Wednesday which confirmed the diagnosis of a shoulder impingement, and the left-hander is scheduled to receive a cortisone injection, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Cash added it's possible the 25-year-old will spend only the 15-day minimum on the injured list, but the return timeline will depend how the shoulder responds to the injection. Regardless, McClanahan will be unavailable until at least mid-September, which is major blow to both the Rays and fantasy managers.
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Rays' Shane McClanahan: Heads to injured list
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McClanahan (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.
McClanahan was scratched from Tuesday's scheduled start against the Marlins due to a left shoulder impingement and will undergo an MRI on Wednesday. While the results of his exams aren't yet known, the southpaw will be unavailable for at least two weeks. Manager Kevin Cash is optimistic that McClanahan won't miss extended time, but a better idea for his return timetable will likely come into focus once the team's medical staff pinpoints his diagnosis.
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Rays' Shane McClanahan: MRI coming Wednesday
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McClanahan will undergo an MRI on Wednesday after he was scratched ahead of his scheduled start Tuesday against the Marlins with a left shoulder impingement, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Reliever Shawn Armstrong ended up making a three-inning spot start in the Rays' eventual 7-2 win after McClanahan experienced shoulder discomfort while warming up prior to the contest. Though manager Kevin Cash said he's "optimistic" that McClanahan won't miss extended time after receiving the initial diagnosis of an impingement, the MRI will reveal whether or not a more serious injury is in play. Even if the impingement is confirmed, Topkin posits that McClanahan will likely require a cortisone shot for his shoulder and could need two weeks to make a full recovery before slotting back into the rotation. With that in mind, expect McClanahan to land on the 15-day injured list within the next day or two.
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Rays' Shane McClanahan: Dealing with shoulder impingement
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McClanahan was diagnosed with a left shoulder impingement after being scratched from Tuesday's start at Miami, pending further imaging, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.
McClanahan was on track to start Tuesday before the injury flared up while he was warming up in the bullpen. The left-hander, who is in the mix for the AL Cy Young Award, should be considered day-to-day as he continues to be evaluated, and it's unclear if the issue will affect his availability for the next turn through the rotation.
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Rays' Shane McClanahan: Not pitching Tuesday
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McClanahan isn't on the mound for the start of Tuesday's game in Miami for unspecified reasons, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.
The 25-year-old was scheduled to start Tuesday's contest, but instead it's Shawn Armstrong on the mound in the first inning against the Marlins. McClanahan is being evaluated by the training staff, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, so it appears to be an injury issue for the lefty. The Rays should provide an update on the situation in the near future.
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Rays' Shane McClanahan: Scoreless outing in no-decision
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McClanahan did not allow a run on four hits and one walk over six innings with nine strikeouts in an extra-innings victory against the Angels on Wednesday. He did not factor in the decision.
The southpaw returned to form Wednesday, firing his first scoreless outing in 12 starts dating back to June 9 and the most strikeouts in a game since July 2. He was in command all night, throwing 62 of 90 pitches for strikes and allowing just five runners on base. The Cy Young contender lowered his ERA to 2.20 and will look to keep the momentum going in his next scheduled start against Miami next week.
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Rays' Shane McClanahan: Strikes out eight batters
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McClanahan did not factor into the decision against the Royals on Friday, allowing two runs on two hits while striking out eight and walking three over seven innings.
After posting an ERA under two until July 26, McClanahan has seemed like a mere mortal since. From that point on, he has allowed 13 earned runs across 23.2 innings for a 4.94 ERA in that span. McClanahan picked up a quality start in Friday's contest, his 17th of the season. The lefty threw 90 pitches (56 for strikes) in the game and does not appear to be limited by the management in Tampa, which is typically cautious with young pitchers.
