Rays lose Shane McClanahan to forearm tightness

McClanahan is on the 15-day injured list with forearm tightness, but Cash said that the team “didn’t want to further push [him] after a solid season with a hefty workload.” McClanahan missed the entire 2024 and 2025 seasons while recovering from Tommy John surgery and a subsequent nerve issue. He returned in 2026 and threw 118 innings, which the Rays apparently felt was enough of a workload that they decided to shut him down. On one hand, it does make sense that they wouldn’t want to push him too much in his first year back, but, on the other hand, McClanahan has dealt with enough injuries that we’re a little skeptical that he’s truly fully healthy. The team claims he’ll be ready for spring training, so we can see how he looks then before we have to make any decisions in fantasy drafts.

The 29-year-0old southpaw has been shelved since early September due to forearm tightness, and he hasn’t progressed enough to where the Rays feel comfortable bringing him back, even if they were to advance to the World Series. His health outlook remains murky heading into the 2027 season.

Scholtens has made 11 appearances (two starts) for the Rays this season, compiling a 4.03 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and a 34/14 K/BB ratio over 44 2/3 innings. expect him to work in a bulk role against the Phillies on Sunday afternoon in Philadelphia.

Seymour gave up one hit, walked none and struck out three. He’ll finish the season 9-7 with a 4.22 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 158 strikeouts in 132 1/3 innings over 16 starts and 46 appearances. Seymour’s 3.51 xFIP suggests we should continue to buy him heading into 2027 fantasy drafts.

Cash added that McClanahan hasn’t been ruled out for the ALCS or beyond, but he won’t be ready when Tampa Bay kicks off the postseason. The 29-year-old southpaw has been on the shelf with forearm tightness since early September. He kicked off a throwing progression earlier this month and figures to pitch at some point in the playoffs.

The Rays made the decision to give Seymour an extra day of rest after clinching the AL East division title earlier this week. It’ll be Mason Englert starting Wednesday’s contest at Yankee Stadium.

Seymour fell behind early when Roman Anthony tagged him for a solo homer and a two-run single in the first two innings. He also surrendered a solo blast to lefty-masher Jahmai Jones in the third inning. It was just the fifth time this season that he allowed multiple homers in a start. He finished with five strikeouts and only issued two walks. The 27-year-old lefty has hit a bit of a rough patch to close out the season, which makes it challenging to trust him against the Yankees in New York in his final regular-season outing on Thursday. Still, he offers enough strikeout upside that he’s worth rolling out there in most fantasy leagues.

Seymour gave up four hits, walked one and struck out 10. It was the second time in his last three starts that he had 10 strikeouts. Seymour has a 4.27 ERA, though his xFIP is much lower at 3.45. He’s lined up to face the Red Sox at home next week.

The fact that McClanahan, who was able to play light catch on Friday without any issues, has resumed throwing is an encouraging development after he hit the injured list with forearm tightness back in early September. It remains a bit unclear how much time he’ll require from a ramp-up standpoint to be ready to pitch in the playoffs. There should be some additional clarity on his return timeline once he progresses to throwing bullpen sessions in the coming days.

Seymour allowed one run, on a Jake Burger homer, through three. The fourth, though, started with a single, a second homer from Burger and another single, bringing a quick end to Seymour’s day. It’s his worst outing of the second half, but the home run ball has always been an issue for him, and things are getting worse of late; he’s allowed nine in his last five appearances. He’ll probably face the Astros next weekend, though it could be behind an opener.