The Tampa Bay Rays once found themselves on top of the American League East and appeared to be one of the best teams in all of baseball. They now find themselves sitting behind the Baltimore Orioles in second place in the division, and the absence of star pitcher Shana McClanahan for the Rays is certainly a big reason why.
McClanahan has been out for the Rays since being placed on the IL with forearm tightness. He was then transferred to the 60-day IL after the Rays organization ran further tests on him.
Unfortunately, this injury will sideline him for a very long time and will even impact his 2024 season. Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reported on Tuesday that McClanahan will have Tommy John surgery on Monday, and will miss the remainder of this season along with likely all of the 2024 season.
BREAKING: #Rays McClanahan will have Tommy John surgery on Monday, likely miss all of 2024
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) August 15, 2023
It’s obviously devastating news for both McClanahan individually and the Rays organization as a whole. And fans were extremely upset on social media shortly after this news emerged.
Shocking news out of Tampa.
Shane McClanahan is heading for Tommy John Surgery and likely will miss all of 2024, per @TBTimes_Rays.
A massive blow for the Rays. Wow. pic.twitter.com/7eEUA71WRj
— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) August 15, 2023
Brutal news for Shane McClanahan. 😞 https://t.co/UlGuAPK6VB pic.twitter.com/5HR2m5mE3a
— theScore (@theScore) August 15, 2023
Rays pitchers to undergo Tommy John since 2020:
Shane McClanahan
Jeffrey Springs
Drew Rasmussen
Shane Baz
Brendan McKay
Jalen Beeks
Yonny Chirinos
Colin Poche
Andrew Kittredge
Nick Anderson (did not get TJ but did tear his UCL)— Nae 🧬 (@NaeNaeTakes) August 16, 2023
injuries stink
cannot wait to see Shane McClanahan back and better than ever https://t.co/PHSFzTh2jV
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) August 16, 2023
Horrible news for Shane McClanahan and the Rays. 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/3M0TbxzdYy
— Covers (@Covers) August 15, 2023
McClanahan’s injury diagnosis is the latest of what has been a rough year for the Rays in terms of devastating injuries at the starting pitcher position. Jeffrey Springs and Drew Rasmussen both underwent Tommy John surgery recently as well.
This diagnosis unfortunately puts another great season for McClanahan to a screeching hault. McClanahan reached his second All-Star Game appearance this year after putting up a 3.29 ERA in 115.0 innings pitched in 2023. He will now focus on the long road to recovery that awaits him for the foreseeable future.
