Rays SP Shane McClanahan leaves start with back injury amid interest in pitching at MLB trade deadline

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Shane McClanahan left Thursday's 3-2 win over the Texas Rangers in the fourth inning, which could affect the team's plans before the Aug. 3 MLB trade deadline.

McClanahan began the fourth by hitting Ezequiel Duran with his first pitch, then walking Brandon Nimmo on six pitches. That prompted Rays manager Kevin Cash and a team trainer to come out to check on McClanahan. After a short chat, the pitcher left the game.

Shortly thereafter, the Rays announced that McClanahan left the game due to "left mid-back tightness."

McClanahan finished with 49 pitches, allowing one run and no hits. Additionally, he walked two batters while striking out three. MLB.com's Brian Murphy noted that McClanahan was throwing with less velocity during Thursday's start, averaging 93.8 mph compared to the 95.6 mph he averaged this season.

The Rays appeared to be less concerned that McClanahan was feeling uncomfortable in his back, rather than his arm. That doesn't mean that the five-year veteran couldn't go on the injured list, but the hope is he didn't suffer a longer-term issue.

How long McClanahan is out could affect whether the Rays make a move at the trade deadline. Initially, Tampa Bay doesn't appear to need starting pitching. (Unless you're of the belief that a team, especially a playoff contender, can never have enough pitching.)

Rays starters have the second-best ERA in the American League at 3.49 and rank fourth with an overall staff ERA of 3.69. Nick Martinez leads the rotation with a 2.45 ERA and 10-2 record. Drew Rasmussen has a 3.07 ERA with 112 strikeouts in 111 1/3 innings, while Griffin Jax 3.74 ERA while averaging 9.6 strikeouts per nine innings.

After Thursday's appearance, McClanahan has a 3.09 ERA with 91 strikeouts in 99 innings over 20 starts. He returned this season after missing all of 2025 following surgery on his left triceps during spring training. McClanahan also missed the entire 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in August 2023.

The Rays have been one of the teams rumored to be pursuing Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal, viewed as the top trade deadline prize. An injury to McClanahan could increase urgency for a trade.

Tampa Bay, one of the betting favorites to get Skubal, certainly has the young talent to make a deal happen. MLB.com ranked the Rays as the No. 10 minor-league system overall coming into this season.