By Jordan Long
The Tampa Bay Rays sit at 69-46, 2nd in the American League East Division. The Baltimore Orioles are 2 games ahead of them. The Rays though are the #1 Wild Card team in the American League. They will have to make a playoff push without All-Star pitcher Shane McClanahan.
McClanahan started the season as the Rays #1 pitcher in the rotation. He proved how valuable he was and set the tone for the pitching staff. McClanahan’s record stood at 11-2 with an ERA of 3.29.
McClanahan hasn’t played since he pitched against the New York Yankees on August 2nd. In that matchup McClanahan took the loss, lasting 4 innings. McClanahan gave up 5 hits and 5 runs, all of them earned. He was taken out of the game with tightness in his left forearm. Tampa Bay placed him on the 15-day injured list, anticipating that McClanahan could come back to pitch this season. That is not going to happen.
McClanahan might miss the rest of the year dealing with his injured forearm. He is going to see a specialist to find out if there is any way he can come back this year. More than likely, McClanahan will be done pitching this season.
According to ESPN.com, Rays manager Kevin Cash said, “Less than ideal news. I think at this point probably everything is on the table. Surgery is certainly an option.”
This is not the news the Rays wanted to hear. If McClanahan is out for the rest of the year, it is a blow to the pitching staff. The Rays know they are in a position to make a run not only to win the American League East but to advance far in the playoffs. It is possible that they may look at McClanahan’s injury as the turning point of the season.
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