Can Shane McClanahan return to past glory?

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla – There were smiles, smiles, and more smiles.

Smiles of joy and smiles of pain.

After this first outing of the spring against the Phillies on March 3, Tampa Bay lefthander Shane McClanahan swept through emotions of the moment and declared himself on the right path back to a major league pitching mound. Following the absence of two seasons from competition at the highest level, McClanahan took initial steps to regain the glory of the past and surge forward full steam ahead.

The heightened emotion of the moment was saved for his dad, James “Clancy” McClanahan, who passed away on January 15, 2026. The close relationship was clearly evident on March 3, and McClanahan went out of his way to offer, “had to make sure he was watching.”

What was witnessed was a pitcher returning from both Tommy John surgery and triceps issues, which kept McClanahan in the trainers’ room for the past two summers. After a grueling recovery period and a relentless will, the 28-year-old returns amid renewed hope and a rearview window completely shut.

“You control what you can control, and if things happen can’t control, we’ll deal with that the,n and if this happens,” he said. “Look, it is what it is.”

McClanahan last pitched in a major league game Aug. 2, 2023, at Yankee Stadium. Prior, he was selected to the American League all-star team in 2022 and 2023.

Tommy John surgery kept him out of the 2024 season and the triceps issue developed during his final spring start of 2025 at Port Charlotte against Boston.

Against the Phillies, McClanahan said he did not pressure the moment and told reporters his felt his effort centered around 80 percent. Rays’ pitching coach Kyle Snyder clocked the lefty, at one point, at 97 miles per hour, and the form and mechanics did not show any rush or sense of urgency.

Cruising through the opening inning, McClanahan traversed through a 9-pitch frame and only three pitches that missed the strike zone.

After surrendering an oppositive field single to the left-hitting Justin Crawford to lead off the game, he induced Otto Kemp to bounce into a third-second-first double play and ended the frame with another ground out.

In the second, there was a one-out single from first baseman Felix Reyes and then a fly to center and shortstop Bryan Rincon struck out to end his afternoon.

“We had him at 97 and if that’s 80 percent, that was pretty efficient,” said Rays’ manager Kevin Cash. “The plan now is progression and build him up.”

That would mean an increased number of pitchers and innings. At this point, McClanahan is on target for at least three more spring starts and then placement into the rotation.

Should the Rays open the season now, the top three would likely be Drew Rasmussen, Tampa Bay’s opening day starter, Ryan Pepiot in the number two spot, and then McClanahan.

Given the trajectory of McClanahan’s progress, he could jump to the head of the class. For now, the Rays, as with every major league club, remain cautious. Above all, as Cash to continues to reiterate, “the health of the athlete is our main priority.”

Elsewhere … With the World Baseball Classic about to start, Cash had a message for the four Tampa Bay players, infielders Jonathan Aranda and Junior Caminero and pitchers Garrett Cleavinger and Griffin Jax heading into the tournament “Told them it’s an honor to represent your country,” the Tampa manager said. “Just go out, have fun and rub elbows with some of the best baseball players on the planet.”

The post Can Shane McClanahan return to past glory? first appeared on Through The Fence Baseball.

Source: https://throughthefencebaseball.com/can-shane-mcclanahan-return-to-past-glory/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=can-shane-mcclanahan-return-to-past-glory