ST. PETERSBURG — The Tampa Bay Rays are pushing back left-hander Shane McClanahan’s next start to Wednesday against the Royals in Kansas City, a workload-management move for the 29-year-old who has missed the past 2 1/2 seasons due to injuries.
McClanahan has thrown 73 2/3 innings over 15 starts roughly halfway through the season, putting him on pace to blow past the 115 innings he pitched in 2023 and approach the 173 1/3 innings he threw between the regular season and postseason in 2022. The extra rest comes as the All-Star break approaches.
“As a competitor, oh gosh, do I want the ball. But at the same time, I think it’s important to take a step back and understand that this is the long game,” McClanahan said Friday night at Tropicana Field. “After everything we’ve been through, now is not the time to slip up and not think logically. … So we’re putting the best foot forward, and I can’t wait to get back out there.”
Manager Kevin Cash said the decision had nothing to do with McClanahan’s recent results — a 5.79 ERA in four starts this month after going 4-0 with a 1.41 ERA over six starts in May. “The thought with Mac is knowing that the workload has been very consistent, and it’s been very good,” Cash said. “But [I] felt like we have to shave some days and give him some extra rest, knowing what he’s been through the last two seasons.”
McClanahan’s 2023 season ended early due to an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery. He did not pitch in 2024 while recovering, then went down with a nerve issue in his left triceps that kept him off the mound all of last season. His four-seam fastball has averaged 96.1 mph this month, not far below where it sat in 2022 (96.7 mph) and 2023 (96.8 mph).
“If you look at the velocities and stuff, he’s throwing the ball really, really well,” Cash said. “But that really didn’t go into the equation whatsoever. I think we’re basically kind of tying it into [the idea that] we’re coming up on the All-Star break. If we can give him a plus-two or three [days’ rest] the next two starts, there would be benefit to that.”
McClanahan, who hasn’t thrown more than 90 pitches in an outing and has worked into the sixth inning only five times this season, said the cautious approach serves a larger purpose. “Fifteen starts in, and feeling great. But ultimately the end goal is October, and I want to make sure that I’m ready for that and fresh and just kind of being mindful of those innings and the lack of workload we’ve had the last two and a half years,” he said. “I feel great. I want to take the ball, but got to be smart about the innings and understanding that it’s been a process to get to this point. And I want to make sure that I can pitch deep into October for us.”
The Rays ran a bullpen game Saturday after veteran Nick Martinez delivered a strong effort in a series-opening 6-1 win over the D-backs Friday, with Drew Rasmussen set to start Sunday’s finale at Tropicana Field. McClanahan’s next outing Wednesday in Kansas City will be the second game of that series against the Royals.