9:18pm: Each Money and McClanahan expressed some quantity of optimism postgame McClanahan wouldn’t must miss a lot time (Topkin links). That gained’t formally be decided till tomorrow’s imaging outcomes come again, after all.

6:52pm: Rays ace Shane McClanahan was scratched from tonight’s begin towards the Marlins shortly earlier than game-time. The star southpaw felt discomfort whereas warming up within the bullpen and was visibly upset (video link offered by Rob Friedman). The membership later introduced his preliminary analysis as a shoulder impingement (h/t to Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Florida). He’s set to bear extra imaging tomorrow, tweets Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Instances.

The group will present extra info within the coming days, nevertheless it’s clearly a worrisome improvement. Shoulder points are a priority for any pitcher, and it wouldn’t be a shock if McClanahan winds up on the 15-day injured checklist. Even a quick absence could be a notable blow for a Tampa Bay membership that at present occupies the highest Wild Card spot within the American League. The Rays are only a half-game up on the Mariners and a recreation away from the Blue Jays, with a three-game hole between themselves and the closest present non-playoff group (the Orioles).

Their place within the standings makes the ultimate 5 weeks essential because the Rays look to lock down a fourth straight playoff look. One may argue there’s no participant extra pivotal to these efforts than McClanahan, the American League’s All-Star Sport starter and one of many prime pitchers within the sport. After a productive rookie season through which he posted a 3.43 ERA by his first 25 massive league begins, McClanahan has positioned himself among the many recreation’s elite arms this 12 months. He’s labored to a glowing 2.20 ERA throughout 24 outings and 147 1/3 frames. The previous first-rounder has struck out an elite 32.5% of batters confronted and induced ground-balls at an enormous 52.3% clip whereas solely strolling 5.4% of opponents.

McClanahan has made a robust case for AL Cy Younger award consideration, jointing the likes of Justin Verlander (who landed on the IL this afternoon), Dylan Cease and Framber Valdez among the many Junior Circuit’s prime starters. If wholesome, McClanahan could be skipper Kevin Money’s apparent alternative for Sport 1 of a attainable playoff collection.

The Rays have handled myriad pitching accidents this season. The majority of these have come within the bullpen, however they’ve been with out Tyler Glasnow all season as he rehabs from final 12 months’s Tommy John process and have misplaced high-end prospect Shane Baz for 2 prolonged stretches. It’s attainable each Glasnow and Baz may issue into the combination down the stretch, giving Tampa Bay a doubtlessly enviable stockpile of arms in the event that they’re at full energy.