Shane McClanahan wont be making his return to the mound this summer after all.
McClanahan underwent season-ending surgery to clean up the nerves in his left triceps on Monday, Rays manager Kevin Cash revealed. McClanahan has been working back from Tommy John surgery he first underwent in August 2023, and he hasnt pitched in the majors since.
The Rays will now officially be without one of their better starting pitchers for two full seasons.
McClanahan made his last appearance in the majors on Aug. 2, 2023, though he was healthy entering spring training earlier this year and appeared ready to make his return. That, though, never happened due to what the team later called a freak nerve issue in his triceps.
McClanahan appeared to be working his way through the injury in recent months, and he made a few minor league outings with the FCL Rays in July. But the latest setback is sending him into surgery again, and Cash said there isnt any guarantee that this procedure will fix the nerve issue for good.
McClanahan held a 3.29 ERA and an 11-2 record in 21 starts during the 2023 campaign. The lefty picked up his second All-Star nod that season, too.
Without McClanahan available, the Rays havent been great this season especially lately. The team entered Monday nights matchup with the Athletics with a 57-62 record, which has them in fourth in the AL East standings. Theyve lost nine of their last 12 games, too, and appear to be on pace to miss the playoffs for a second straight season. Their starters have held a 3.73 ERA, however, which is among the top third of teams in the league.
Though McClanahan now has plenty of time to recover and build his arm back up before spring training next season, the extended break from the game and lingering injury in his pitching arm is far from a good sign for the Rays.