Aug 22, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Shane McClanahan (18) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: James A. Pittman-Imagn Images Tampa Bay Rays ace Shane McClanahan was placed on the 15-day injured list with left forearm tightness ahead of the Rays’ game against the host Texas Rangers on Friday in Arlington.
This is the second time this season McClanahan has landed on the injured list. The 29-year-old was out from July 31 through Aug. 16 with mid-back tightness. He has weathered several extended trips to the IL during a career that began in 2021, including a 578-day layoff following a second Tommy John surgery in August 2023.
He returned during spring training in 2025, only to develop a nerve-related issue in his left triceps less than a month later. He eventually underwent surgery and missed the entire season.
In total, McClanahan went 972 days between MLB appearances before his first start this season, April 1 against the Milwaukee Brewers. McClanahan has pitched to a 10-7 record and 3.36 ERA in 24 starts and 118 innings this year.
He said he doesn’t feel his current setback is serious. McClanahan admitted feeling “a little tightness” during his five-inning outing against the Rangers on Thursday night but said he thought it could also have been fatigue. He was unsure whether he would undergo imaging to determine the severity of the issue.
“As of last night, we made the decision as a team to not let this compound, not let this snowball and kind of try to nip it in the bud quick,” he told MLB.com.
Right-hander Alex Cook was recalled from Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move.
The Rays (83-57) entered play Friday with the best record in the American League and sat three games ahead of the Yankees (80-60) atop the East Division.
–Field Level Media
