The Tampa Bay Rays currently hold the top American League Wild Card slot (and are seven games back of the New York Yankees in the AL East), but there’s concerning news regarding their most valuable player of the 2022 season.
Shane McClanahan was scratched from starting Tuesday night’s Rays game against the Miami Marlins after suffering what the Rays are calling left shoulder impingement, according to Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Florida.
Shane McClanahan Injury Update:
Left shoulder impingement. Pending further imaging. Will ask Cash after game
— Tricia Whitaker (@TriciaWhitaker) August 30, 2022
The left-hander was warming up in the bullpen and stopped due to discomfort in his pitching arm.
Shane McClanahan was scratched from his start for the Rays tonight. And one can only hope this video from the bullpen before the game is not as bad as it looks. @TriciaWhitaker is reporting he's out with a left shoulder impingement. pic.twitter.com/Z5HMrHTHCk
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 30, 2022
As Whitaker notes, the Rays will have “further imaging” done to learn more specifics of McClanahan’s injury, but anything significant would be devastating for Tampa Bay- and would be awful for McClanahan, of course.
The left-hander has been sensational this season, ranking fifth among AL starting pitchers in wins above replacement (WAR) per Baseball Reference and FanGraphs. His 2.20 ERA ranks second among AL starters and his 2.65 FIP ranks third.
McClanahan, 25, even started the All-Star Game for the AL. That’s an absolutely remarkable feat for a second-year pitcher.
Not the prettiest of All-Star Game debuts from Shane McClanahan, but it's okay because we're all just here to have fun.
(That 4-6-3 double play was pretty though 👀)
🎥: MLB/FOX pic.twitter.com/krDhEcGDxb
— Sports by Tampa Bay Times (@TBTimes_Sports) July 20, 2022
Hopefully, this is a minor injury and McClanahan can continue his fantastic season. A title path would get significantly more difficult for the Rays without their star lefty.
