Rays ace Shane McClanahan pulled with apparent injury ahead of opening day start
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Two-time All-Star Shane McClanahan, the Tampa Bay Rays' opening-day starter, exited his final exhibition start Saturday in pain after throwing a pitch, an unsettling development for a pitcher making his way back from elbow surgery.
McClanahan, 27, last pitched in the major leagues on Aug. 2, 2023, and underwent his second Tommy John surgery 18 days later. He sat out all of last season but came to camp confident he'd make his opening day assignment. McClanahan's fastball was clocked at 98 mph in his first bullpen session of the spring.
Yet he winced in pain after throwing a pitch to the 10th Boston Red Sox batter he faced, hopping twice and then leaving with a trainer. McClanahan had his first Tommy John reconstruction when he was 17; he had a stabilizing internal brace inserted during his second procedure.
#Rays ace Shane McClanahan just left this game accompanied by head trainer Joe Benge. Here's video of his final pitch, showing some serious discomfort. He immediately signaled toward the dugout. Will update when I know more. pic.twitter.com/dnhY8KPBTV — Ryan Bass (@Ry_Bass) March 22, 2025
McClanahan was the American League starter in the 2022 All-Star Game and also made the AL squad in 2023. While the Rays brought six projected starting pitchers to camp and can absorb any extended absence from a numbers standpoint, the loss of their once and current ace would be devastating for a club looking to return to the playoffs.
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