Rays Ace McClanahan Exits with Arm Injury

Tampa Bay Rays ace Shane McClanahan exited his final exhibition start on Saturday with an apparent arm injury, raising concerns as he was set to start on Opening Day. McClanahan, a two-time All-Star, had missed the entire 2024 season recovering from his second Tommy John surgery and had not pitched in MLB since August 2023. During the third inning against the Boston Red Sox, he signaled to the dugout in pain after a pitch and left the game with trainer Joe Benge. Before the injury, McClanahan had been performing well in spring training, indicating a potential return to his previous form. The severity of the injury is currently unclear, but it presents a concerning situation for the Rays, who finished 80-82 last season, marking their worst performance since 2017. The team is awaiting further updates on McClanahan's condition, which could significantly impact their playoff aspirations.