Tampa Bay Rays ace Shane McClanahan is likely out for the season with tightness in his left forearm.
Rays manager Kevin Cash told the Tampa Bay Times’ Marc Hopkin that its “highly unlikely” McClanahan returns in 2023.
Cash added that Tommy John surgery, flexor tendon surgery and removal of loose bodies “are on the table” for the southpaw.
The 26-year-old left-hander was placed on the 15-day injured list last week after leaving his Aug. 2 start against the Yankees in the fourth inning.
McClanahan reportedly met with surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Monday and is set to get a second opinion next week.
“Surgery is certainly an option, but I don’t want to get too far ahead,” Cash said. “I think in fairness to Mac and to us, he’s going to be down for a little while.
The two-time All-Star has been one of the best pitchers in baseball when healthy.
McClanahan is 11-2 with a 3.29 ERA and 121 strikeouts over 115 innings in 2023, but he missed more than two weeks in July with mid-back tightness.
McClanahan started the 2022 All-Star Game for the American League and finished sixth in the Cy Young voting.
The McClanahan news is the latest blow to an already injury-depleted Tampa Bay starting rotation.
Jeffrey Springs and Drew Rasmussen were both lost to arm injuries of their own earlier this season, and Shane Baz was ruled out for the 2023 season after having Tommy John surgery last September.
Despite bad injury luck, the Rays are 69-46, two games behind the Baltimore Orioles in the American League East and firmly in the top AL wild-card spot.