The Tampa Bay Rays have spent the last two seasons without arguably their best pitcher, Shane McClanahan. He worked as an ace for the team in 2022 and 2023, but it would all come crashing down after. 

In August of 2023, he experienced some forearm tightness that would eventually require Tommy John surgery. This was his second Tommy John surgery, as the first one came in 2016 when he was in college. 

He was set to return this past season, but experienced a freak setback. McClanahan would have a problem with triceps irritation, an injury that ultimately required surgery, ending his chances of coming back last year. 

MORE: MLB analyst questions Junior Caminero’s ability to avoid major regression

MLB analyst spotlights Shane McClanahan’s return after a two-year absence

Now, Shane McClanahan comes into the season with newfound health. He will look to keep that up, because frankly, Tampa Bay could use him. 

With his injury history, he will be someone that the club and fans pay close attention to this spring. He is also someone that MLB.com’s David Adler is paying close attention to. 

“We put McClanahan on this list last spring, too, when he was coming back from Tommy John surgery. And the Rays ace looked really good at Spring training … only for a freak nerve issue to pop up in his last start and derail his entire season. Well, McClanahan is ready to pitch again, and remember, the 28-year-old was one of the best younger starters in baseball the last time he was healthy. But he has even more to prove in 2026 than he did a year ago.”

When healthy, McClanahan looked like one of the more promising younger arms across baseball. Now, he comes into the season after missing the last two years, and will look to make up for lost time. 

Don’t be surprised if he excels in the spring and continues that success into the regular season.

More MLB news: