Rays Ace Scratched Minutes Before Start

"Something just didn't feel right. Just couldn't get loose."

That's not what the Tampa Bay Rays wanted to hear from ace Shane McClanahan, after his pregame bullpen warmup. So "out of an abundance of caution", he was scratched from his start, just minutes before the game. 

Shane McClanahan was scratched from his start for the Rays tonight. And one can only hope this video from the bullpen before the game is not as bad as it looks. @TriciaWhitaker is reporting he's out with a left shoulder impingement. pic.twitter.com/Z5HMrHTHCk

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 30, 2022

He felt some tightness in his shoulder; it's being called a shoulder impingement for now. "Just decided to err on the side of caution and pull the plug just in case."

#Rays McClanahan said he also was “cautiously optimistic” and that he wouldn’t miss much time. Said he was “pissed” to not get to start but also knew it was better to play it safe and not risk a more severe injury

— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) August 31, 2022

"I'm very pissed. I want that ball every single chance I can get it, added McClanahan, who nevertheless is very confident it will be a very short blip, and he should be back in short order. But an MRI will tell more of the story. 

“We’re actually pretty optimistic about it,” McClanahan continued. “We don’t think it’s anything major, hopefully. And I think we’re going to be all right. … As of right now, I think ‘cautiously optimistic’ is the right word for it.”

The Rays are already without a number of key pitchers, so they can ill afford to lose their ace--and their innings eater--for any length of time. 

McClanahan is 11-5 with a 2.20 ERA and 0.86 ERA, and is a contender for the Cy Young Award in this, his second major league season.

Photo: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports