Tampa Bay Rays fans, breathe. Shane McClanahan appears to be okay.
After pulling himself from the game after throwing a pitch on Saturday due to arm discomfort, the Rays ace avoided any serious injury and is expected to miss minimal time.
McClanahan has an inflamed nerve in his left triceps, and will begin the season on the injured list, Rays manager Kevin Cash said Sunday, according to John Romano of the Tampa Bay Times.
"Really good news on Mac. Basically it was more nerve-related," Cash told reporters. "Calm the nerve down and then see how he progresses, get a ball back in his hand.
"Probably the best news we could have heard."
It's a major sigh of relief for all parties involved. McClanahan, 27, is nearing the end of a long recovery after undergoing Tommy John surgery that forced him to miss the entirety of last season.
The lefty hurler is a two-time all-star and finished sixth in the American League Cy Young award voting in 2022 after posting a 2.54 ERA with 194 strikeouts in 166.1 innings.
McClanahan's presence on the mound will be needed for a Tampa squad that's looking to to return to the post-season after falling short for the first time in six seasons last year.
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