Shane McClanahan will not pitch for the Tampa Bay Rays in the postseason. Rays manager Kevin Cash confirmed Sunday that the left-hander will not be added to the AL Championship Series roster, despite a season where he pitched 118 innings in his return after a two-year absence. This is a massive hit to the Rays’ pitching staff as they gear up for their ALCS showdown.
McClanahan’s Comeback Season Comes to a Crushing Halt
Talk about a gut punch. McClanahan had a monumental comeback story going this season. After sitting out both 2024 and 2025 due to Tommy John surgery and then a nerve issue, the guy fought his way back to the mound. He put up a solid 10-7 record with a 3.36 ERA across 24 starts, which is incredible given what he’d been through. Seriously, Cash even said he had to be “up there for Comeback Player of the Year” with the time he missed. But now, it’s all over. McClanahan was placed on the injured list in early September with left forearm tightness, and while Cash insists he’s a “healthy pitcher,” the team felt it “made the most sense that his season is over.” They’re “incredibly appreciative and grateful for the contributions that he gave us to get us to this point,” but the decision is made. He’s now focused on being “the best teammate,” cheering on his buddies. You have to wonder how much that early September tightness played into capping his innings at 118 after such a long road back. What a brutal way for a comeback season to end.
Bullpen Shuffles: Rays Bring Up a Rookie, Guardians Add a New Arm
With McClanahan sidelined, the Rays are making some moves to their pitching staff for the ALCS. They’re adding rookie right-hander Brody Hopkins to the roster and dropping lefty Garrett Cleavinger. Hopkins made his major league debut on September 13 and has had a mixed bag so far, with seven strikeouts but also six walks and a 5.06 ERA over 5 1/3 innings in six appearances this season. Cleavinger, who didn’t even pitch in the ALDS against the Yankees, exits with a 4.79 ERA in 41 1/3 innings over 51 appearances. The Rays are rolling with 14 hitters and 12 pitchers, just like they did when they swept the New York Yankees in the Division Series.
The Cleveland Guardians are also tweaking their roster after a grueling five-game series against the Chicago White Sox. They’re bringing in right-hander Slade Cecconi, who replaces utilityman Daniel Schneemann. Cecconi posted a 5-7 record with a 4.91 ERA in 28 games, including 21 starts. He actually moved to the bullpen in August, where he had a 5.93 ERA in 13 2/3 innings. The Guardians are now carrying 13 pitchers.
This is a big moment for both teams, adding fresh arms, some with limited big league experience, into the high-pressure environment of the ALCS.
What’s Next: Game 1 is Here
The stage is set. The Tampa Bay Rays are hosting the Cleveland Guardians in Game 1 of the ALCS on Monday night. With McClanahan out and new faces in the bullpen for both sides, this series is kicking off with some serious question marks. It’s going to be a battle, and every pitch, every out, is going to matter more than ever. Get ready, baseball fans, because this series is going to be wild.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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