TAMPA -- Rays ace Shane McClanahan, sidelined since the end of Spring Training due to a nerve issue in his left triceps, threw a bullpen session on Tuesday afternoon that left Rays manager Kevin Cash “really encouraged” about the left-hander’s progress.
He still has a long road ahead of him, but after months of uncertainty, McClanahan’s path back to the Majors is starting to come into focus.
McClanahan had previously reached this step in the rehabilitation process, throwing a full-intensity bullpen session on June 7. But he didn’t feel entirely right after that, prompting a brief pause in his throwing program and a visit with Dr. Gregory J. Pearl (a nerve specialist) in Dallas on June 17.
That appointment provided McClanahan with some peace of mind, and he resumed throwing. He threw off the mound last week at a slightly reduced distance, with the catcher in front of the plate rather than behind it, and felt good. He took another big step Tuesday, throwing a full-intensity bullpen session.
“[It went] really, really well. I’m glad I got to see it,” Cash said. “Got some video when we were on the road trip of him throwing off the mound, and he really looked like himself. And then today, very encouraged [with] the way he looked.”
A two-time All-Star who established himself as one of the game’s best starters when healthy, McClanahan hasn’t pitched in the Majors since Aug. 2, 2023. He underwent his second Tommy John surgery after that, then worked his way back to full health this spring.
The 28-year-old had an excellent Spring Training and was in line to start for Tampa Bay on Opening Day before he had to exit his final start due to what turned out to be nerve irritation in his left triceps. The Rays placed him on the injured list on March 26 and transferred him to the 60-day IL on April 26.
Having thrown a successful bullpen session, McClanahan can get back in a throwing progression that could have him ready to join the Rays at some point in August.
Cash said McClanahan will throw off the mound again, and if that goes well, the Rays will decide if he needs to throw a “multi-inning” bullpen, or if he’s ready to start facing hitters in some capacity. Whenever that happens, McClanahan could pitch to hitters at the Rays’ Spring Training complex in Port Charlotte, Fla., or potentially start a Rookie-level Florida Complex League game.
At some point, McClanahan will get on a regular rotation with Triple-A Durham to build up his workload, start by start.
“We’re a ways away, but that’s the thought,” Cash said.