The Tampa Bay Rays' pitching staff is undergoing a significant transformation, with a mix of injuries, departures, and new additions shaping the team's future. Here's the latest on three players making headlines:
Shane McClanahan's Long-Awaited Return:
Rays fans have endured a lengthy wait to witness the highly-anticipated comeback of Shane McClanahan, a left-handed pitcher who has battled through a series of unfortunate injuries. After missing the entire 2024 season due to Tommy John surgery, McClanahan's 2025 campaign was cut short by a nerve issue in his triceps. But the wait is almost over! According to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, McClanahan is on track to rejoin the Rays for the 2026 season, albeit with a carefully managed workload.
In 2021, McClanahan made a solid debut, but it was his 2022 performance that truly turned heads. He emerged as a serious contender for the AL Cy Young Award, starting 28 games with a remarkable 2.54 ERA and a strikeout rate of over one per inning. In the Wild Card round, he showcased his talent against the Guardians, pitching seven innings of two-run ball, but ultimately falling to Shane Bieber.
And this is the part most fans have been waiting for: McClanahan's return to the rotation will be a much-needed boost for the Rays, who have seen several key pitchers depart. Drew Rasmussen and Ryan Pepiot are the current front-runners, but the rest of the rotation is far from certain. Shane Baz, who tied for the team lead in starts last season, is now with Baltimore. Veterans Zack Littell and Adrian Houser have also moved on, and Taj Bradley was traded to Minnesota. The Rays are exploring options like free agent signee Steven Matz, trade acquisition Yoendrys Gomez, and even the possibility of Zack Littell returning via free agency.
Griffin Canning's Comeback:
Griffin Canning, a free agent right-hander, is also on the road to recovery after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon while with the Mets last season. Canning recently threw for interested teams, clocking an impressive 93 mph on the radar gun, as reported by Will Sammon of The Athletic. The Cardinals, White Sox, and Mets are rumored to be potential landing spots for Canning, who was having a strong season before his injury in June. With the Mets, he signed a one-year, $4.25MM deal and made significant adjustments to his slider and changeup, resulting in improved strikeout numbers compared to his final season with the Angels.
Otto Kemp's Resilience:
Utility player Otto Kemp is expected to be fully fit for the upcoming season, having undergone surgery to repair a fractured kneecap and a cleanup procedure on his shoulder. Kemp, who played through the injury after being called up last year, expressed his excitement about feeling 100% again in an interview with NBC Sports Philadelphia. In his brief stint in the big leagues, the 26-year-old showed promise with eight home runs in 62 games, although his strikeout rate was over 30%. Kemp is now in the mix for platoon work alongside Brandon Marsh in the outfield.
But here's where it gets controversial: With so many changes to the pitching staff, will the Rays be able to maintain their competitive edge? And what impact will the return of McClanahan and the potential additions of Canning and Kemp have on the team's overall performance? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
