Rays: Potentially devastating injury comes about at worst possible time

The injury woes for the Tampa Bay Rays continue, as ace Shane McClanahan was scratched ahead of his scheduled start against the Miami Marlins.

The Tampa Bay Rays have been hammered with injuries throughout the year, with players like shortstop Wander Franco, outfielder Kevin Kiermaier, and pitcher Tyler Glasnow sidelined. Sadly for the Rays, those woes returned, and it just so happened to involve their best player in their midst of their chase for a postseason berth.

Ace pitcher Shane McClanahan was scheduled to start on Tuesday, Aug. 30, against the Miami Marlins. But during pre-game warmups, McClanahan pointed to his left arm. Cameras from Bally Sports showed McClanahan being comforted by a member of the coaching staff before walking off the mound in the bullpen.

McClanahan was revealed to be dealing with a left shoulder impingement, pending further imaging, per Bally Sports’ Tricia Whitaker.

Rays: Shane McClanahan pulled from scheduled start due to left shoulder impingement

As for what a shoulder impingement is, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times points out that it is “the pinching and/or rubbing of the rotator cuff due to swelling and inflammation.” Topkin also notes that in the best-case situation, McClanahan could be out two weeks “if cortisone shot treatment helps.”

Losing McClanahan for any period of time hurts Tampa Bay, as he is their best starting pitcher in the rotation. He did, after all, start for the American League All-Star team, and put up Cy Young-caliber numbers throughout the season.

Ahead of his scheduled start, McClanahan recorded a 2.20 ERA, a 0.862 WHIP, a league-best 5.9 hits-per-nine-innings ratio,182 strikeouts, and 30 walks over 147.1 innings (24 starts).

The Rays have been getting closer and closer to catching the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East, but not having McClanahan could be detrimental in their chase. Not just for the division, but also for a Wild Card berth.