Rays' McClanahan to begin season on IL with triceps injury

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash announced starting pitcher Shane McClanahan will begin the season on the injured list with an inflamed nerve in his triceps, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.

The lefty exited his spring training start Saturday in visible pain but ultimately avoided a worst-case scenario.

"Really good news on Mac," Cash said of the injury, according to John Romano of the Tampa Bay Times. "Basically, it was more nerve-related. Calm the nerve down and then see how he progresses, get a ball back in his hand. Probably the best news we could have heard."

McClanahan is not expected to miss significant time.

The 27-year-old was nearing a long-awaited return from Tommy John surgery before suffering the triceps injury. He looked sharp throughout the spring, not allowing an earned run across his three starts.

He last pitched in a regular-season game in 2023. McClanahan worked to a 3.29 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 115 innings that year before getting hurt.

McClanahan owns a 3.02 ERA (130 ERA+) across 74 career starts.