Just when you thought it was safe to breathe a sigh of relief, the injury bug bit three Rays on Tuesday: Shane McClanahan, Ryan Thompson, and Isaac Paredes.
McClanahan was scratched from Tuesday’s start against the Marlins shortly before game-time. The left-hander felt discomfort while warming up before the contest and was visibly upset. The Rays later announced his preliminary diagnosis as left shoulder impingement. He is set to undergo additional imaging on Wednesday, and the team will provide more information in the coming days.
Going into the game, something just did not feel right.I couldn’t get loose, it was just something. I couldn’t put my finger on it. … We just decided to err on the side of caution, pull the plug just in case. We were just being cautious, doing the right thing.
It was one of those freak days. Maybe I slept on it wrong, something. I trust those guys and have to keep working. I was (ticked); I want that ball every time I can get it. We talked about not taking a risk for one or two starts. We’re pretty optimistic it’s nothing serious.
— Shane McClanahan
Shoulder impingements occur when the top outer edge of the shoulder blade rubs against, or pinches, the rotator cuff beneath it, causing pain and irritation. In the best-case scenario, pending the severity, the injury can be treated with a cortisone shot and McClanahan could return to action in about two weeks.
A brief absence could be a notable blow for the Rays, who currently occupy the top American League Wildcard spot. Tampa Bay’s place in the standings makes the final five weeks of play crucial as they look to lock up a fourth consecutive appearance. For the time, though, the Rays are cautiously optimistic it isn’t anything serious.
I think he is dealing with what all pitchers with 140 innings deal with. I applaud him for going down there and getting loose and just not feeling right.
We’re all fairly optimistic he will be fine. We had in the back of our minds we would shorten up the start anyway. … I am confident he’s going to be OK.
— Kevin Cash
McClanahan owns a 2.20 ERA and a 2.65 FIP, with a 6.07 K/BB, and a 0.86 WHIP across 147.1 innings. He has struck out 32.5% of batters faced and induced ground-balls at an elite 52.3% rate while walking just 5.4% of opponents.
How the team will fill his absence is to be determined. We will have more on the situation as information becomes available.
Meanwhile, Ryan Thompson (right triceps inflammation) was placed on the 15-day Injured List. Ryan Yarbrough, who was optioned on Sunday, was recalled from Triple-A Durham to take his place on the roster. Rays skipper Kevin Cash said Thompson “didn’t feel right” on Monday and was examined Tuesday.
It was all good. We are encouraged, and hopefully, it’s just the minimum stint.
— Kevin Cash
Thompson had not pitched since he surrendered two runs on four hits in one inning against the Angels on August 25, while his fastball velocity was down a few ticks in that appearance. The right-hander threw two-thirds of an inning on August 24, however, that came seven days after his previous outing leading many to speculate about a lingering concern.
Finally, Paredes, who is dealing with lower leg soreness, was a late scratch from Wednesday’s lineup. The 23-year-old was initially penciled in to start at first base Tuesday, yet he was replaced by Christian Bethancourt when Tampa Bay released a revised starting lineup. Paredes took a practice grounder off his leg as the team warmed up on Sunday, in Boston, however, the injury does not appear to be a big concern.