After a completely monstrous start to the season, the Tampa Bay Rays have been nosediving for a little over a month. Their place at the top of the American was stolen from them by the Baltimore Orioles, and we may have to fight for a place among the teams drafted.
The fact that guys who were playing over their heads are going back to normal has something to do with it, but it’s really the injuries that are starting to pile up and hurt the Rays.
A few days ago, for example, ace pitcher Shane McClanahan was injured again, sending no less than six starting pitchers who have been on the rotation this season going on the disabled list.
And we can even add Shane Baz in the lot, he who is a regular starter, but who has not started this season due to Tommy John surgery.
McClanahan’s injury was arguably one of the most concerning in Tampa Bay, as the pitching ace is among the league’s elite when healthy.
And today, Kevin Cash gave an update on the southpaw’s condition, and the news isn’t good: It’s “very unlikely” McClanahan will be able to pitch again this year.
Even worse: he will see a new specialist shortly, and his opinion will determine whether he will go under the knife or not.
As for what surgery might be needed, Cash didn’t want to speculate too much, but he notes that all options are on the table. And among “all the options”, there is the Tommy John operation.
So that means that in addition to not having McClanahan for the rest of the 2023 season, it is not impossible that the Rays will be deprived of the services of their ace pitcher for the entire 2024 campaign.
We might not see him back on the hill until 2025.
Hopefully for the Rays and the Gunner, McClanahan will be able to avoid having surgery, but it’s never reassuring when a pitcher complains of forearm pain.
The concern must be very, very big in Tampa Bay right now.
- The young Emerson Hancock comes as reinforcements in Seattle.
- She’s far away, that one.
