When Tampa Bay Rays star Shane McClanahan had to leave his Thursday start against the Kansas City Royals with an injury, fans held their breath and prayed nothing was seriously wrong with him physically.
McClanahan is not only the Rays’ best starter, but also one of the best in MLB as a whole.
He had to be lifted in the fourth inning after the trainer and his manager Kevin Cash led a mound visit.
The injured area?
His back.
The official diagnosis was mid-back tightness.
It’s still too early to say whether he will be able to make his next scheduled start or not next week, but his chances are looking good, per the Tampa Bay Times’ Marc Topkin.
“#Rays McClanahan said he woke up with his back feeling better, that no determination has been made about his next start but he was ‘in a good spot’ and with the benefit of an extra day off seemed optimistic about doing so,” Topkin tweeted.
#rays McClanahan said he woke up with his back feeling better, that no determination has been made about his next start but he was “in a good spot” and with the benefit of an extra day off seemed optimistic about doing so.
—Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) June 23, 2023
The decision to take McClanahan out of Thursday’s game sounds more and more precautionary with each passing hour, and that’s precisely the type of news Rays fans needed to hear.
If he suffers no setbacks, McClanahan will likely take the ball next week as scheduled, with an extra day off to recover.
The 26-year-old lefty ace has an incredible 11-1 record this year.
He has a fantastic 2.23 ERA, a 1.12 WHIP, and a 100/35 K/BB ratio in 93 innings.
Few pitchers, if any, have been better than him this year.
The Rays are an excellent ballclub, but it’s unclear if they would have the best record in the majors without McClanahan.
He has been a true monster at the top of their rotation.
NEXT:
Young Rays Star Is Dealing With An Unfortunate Punishment
