As fans have been waiting for any update on Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Shane McClanahan and his recovery process, he is set to make his spring training debut on Tuesday afternoon against the Philadelphia Phillies. While the Rays pitcher in McClanahan hasn't pitched since 2023, a step in the right direction is playing in spring training in the quest to participate in the regular season, as manager Kevin Cash gives his thoughts on the star.
Tampa Bay is having two games played today with split-squad, with McClanahan pitching against Philadelphia as mentioned, as Cash expressed that he wants to see the 28-year-old walk off the mound “smiling,” according to Ryan Bass.
“He's done it every time he's got on the mound here so far, building up. I'm certainly excited to see him on the mound. It's been a while in a competitive setting. Just want to see him (walking off the mound) smiling,” Cash said.
Rays' Shane McClanahan speaks honestly about his recovery
McClanahan's return to pitching has been highly anticipated, as he's been through a myriad of significant setbacks that have led to his absence from pitching for a few seasons. However, it seems he's gearing back, and if he brings his prior production back to the Rays, it will prove to be monumental, but there's no doubt that it was a challenging recovery for McClanahan.
“It sucked, it was a long process, and still healing a little bit. Nerves are, unfortunately, just nerves,” McClanahan said on Feb. 12, according to Ryan Bass. “They're weird. They take time, and nothing you can really do. This entire process has tested me mentally. It's testing me physically and emotionally. I'm glad to kind of turn that corner and have that end goal, that finish line in sight.”
At any rate, it remains to be seen how McClanahan's pitches in his spring training debut and what his usage will be like throughout the rest of the 2026 season.
