A lot has happened since Shane McClanahan last threw a professional pitch for the Tampa Bay Rays. It’s been nearly three years since the native of Maryland was healthy and dominating on the mound. In between has been a series of physical setbacks, namely Tommy John Surgery, that have sapped one of the bright young stars in the Tampa Bay rotation.
Yes, there have been two U.S. Presidents in office since McClanahan last competed at the MLB level. Could it be that the Rays will finally welcome the return of one of their better starting pitchers this season?
Where Did Shane Go?
Wander Franco was batting second for the Rays on that steamy August 2023 evening in the Bronx. The Rays were 66-45 after starting out the 2023 season on a 13-0 and 32-11 spurt. McClanahan was toeing the rubber for the Rays, but he was getting shellacked by a stout New York Yankees lineup that Wednesday evening. That would be the final time he pitched for the next 900+ days.
McClanahan had a 3.29 ERA with a 25.8% strikeout rate and 8.7% walk rate in 115 innings over 21 games started in 2023. A two-time All-Star, his 2022 season was even more sublime, as he posted a 2.54 ERA over 166.1 innings while placing sixth in AL Cy Young Award voting. Then began the injury troubles that largely wiped out the next few years.
It’s crazy how long he has been on the sidelines. Fans want to see this guy dominate again. National baseball fans may remember he made his MLB debut in the 2020 AL Division Series against the Yankees. His second outing featured a home run that Giancarlo Stanton smacked deep into the Petco Park upper deck. That 2020 Rays team eventually made the World Series before losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Also for #Rays, LHP Shane McClanahan is included on the playoff roster. @USFBaseball product will make major-league debut in postseason
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) September 29, 2020
At Long Last Shane Is Back
His eventual return to the rotation will be one of the feel-good stories of the 2026 Rays. He is one of the most beloved players in that clubhouse who has battled so many health maladies.
Of course, Rays fans remember how McClanahan almost made a healthy return to the mound in 2025. Alas, that never occurred as he battled a troublesome nerve issue late in Spring Training that was eventually diagnosed as a nerve-related procedure on his left triceps in August 2025. President of Baseball Operations Erik Neander had a rather troublesome quote last summer when he said, “This is a new one to all of us really, and in many regards to the baseball community. So we’re learning as we go.”
This season could be all about shorter outings and tighter pitch limits for McClanahan as they handle him carefully. The Rays don’t need him to be the best pitcher in baseball. He can still be reliable and solid, but to expect the pitcher of 2022 is extremely risky. Yet, FanGraphs’ Steamer is projecting McClanahan to throw 142 innings along with a 2.9 WAR this season! Steamer forecasts a 3.57 ERA over 24 games started.
To be clear, this would be absolutely incredible if it were actually achieved. The more rational Rays fans would gladly settle for an ERA over five as long as McClanahan stayed healthy.
Shane’s Place in the Rotation
As pitchers and catchers prepare to report to Florida, McClanahan has a lot of work ahead to get back into game shape. Having said that, the Rays could use consistency and durability from McClanahan, especially after they already traded the other Shane this past winter. The rest of the projected rotation currently consists of Drew Rasmussen, Ryan Pepiot, Steven Matz and Joe Boyle.
For different reasons, Matz and Boyle are far from sure things. Matz turned his career around after struggling and has experience in the rotation and bullpen. Now in 2026, Matz will be stretched out as a starter, and pitching coach Kyle Snyder can work his magic on Matz. Boyle possesses tremendous upside, but has a very small track record at this point.
If the Rays’ budget is unable to add another depth starting pitcher, then McClanahan will be forced to pick up the slack. That could prove reckless because the Rays need consistency as they try to evaluate young players. The key is taking the pressure off McClanahan so that he can demonstrate the immense talent in his left arm.
Main Photo Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images