McClanahan's rehab assignment paused with biceps soreness

TAMPA -- After working his way back to the mound, Rays ace Shane McClanahan sustained a setback that will put a pause on his Minor League rehab assignment.

McClanahan will be pulled back from his rehab stint with Triple-A Durham due to soreness in his biceps, Rays manager Kevin Cash said Tuesday afternoon ahead of a game vs. the White Sox. The left-hander had been scheduled to make his fourth start (and his third with Triple-A Durham) on Thursday, but felt an issue during a 10-pitch bullpen session at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Monday.

Cash said it is possible that McClanahan could resume throwing within two or three days, noting that biceps tendinitis tends to clear up “pretty quick.” But it’s still another aggravating development for McClanahan, who was in line to be Tampa Bay’s Opening Day starter before going down with an unusual nerve-related issue in his left triceps during his final Spring Training start.

“He's frustrated, rightfully so,” Cash said. “He wants to be here. He wants to help us.”

McClanahan shared his frustration and determination to return in a social media post on Tuesday.

The Rays don’t believe McClanahan’s biceps issue is related to the nerve injury in his triceps. Cash said it was more likely the result of fatigue setting in during the 28-year-old’s buildup process.

McClanahan worked a scoreless inning for the Rookie-level Florida Complex League Rays on July 8, recorded five outs for Durham on July 13 and was scheduled to pitch into the third inning in Triple-A last Friday, tracking toward a return in early August.

However, he gave up three runs on three hits (including two homers) while recording only two outs during that 27-pitch outing, and his fastball averaged just 91.4 mph. He returned to Tampa to throw a between-starts bullpen session, at which point the Rays shut him down.

“Shane worked really hard throughout the buildup to ramp back up, get him some innings,” Cash said. “Probably his arm just said in his bullpen that, ‘I need a little bit of a break.’”

A two-time All-Star who ranked among the game’s best starters when healthy in 2022-23, McClanahan has not pitched in the Majors since Aug. 2, 2023. He underwent his second Tommy John surgery later that month and missed all of last season while rehabbing.

He reported to Spring Training at full health and looked good enough for the Rays to name him their Opening Day starter. He was nearly ready to go when he exited his final spring start due to what he and the club have described as a “freak injury.”