The Long-Awaited Return: Rays' Pitching Prospects and a Depleted Staff
Rays fans have been eagerly anticipating the comeback of Shane McClanahan, a left-handed pitcher who has been absent from the big leagues for two years due to injuries. After undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2024 and then dealing with a nerve issue in his triceps, McClanahan is finally on track to rejoin the team for the 2026 season, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. However, there's a catch - his workload will likely be managed carefully.
McClanahan made a solid debut in 2021 and quickly became a contender for the AL Cy Young award the following season. He dominated with a 2.54 ERA and over a strikeout per inning in 28 starts in 2022. His strong performance against the Guardians in the Wild Card round was a highlight, pitching seven innings of two-run ball. But he was outshone by Shane Bieber in that game.
Despite any potential limitations on his innings, having McClanahan back in the rotation will be a huge boost for the Rays, who are currently lacking in pitching depth. Drew Rasmussen and Ryan Pepiot are the top pitchers in the group, but the situation beyond them is uncertain. Shane Baz, who tied for the team lead with 31 starts last season, has moved on to Baltimore. Veteran pitchers Zack Littell and Adrian Houser are no longer with the organization, and Taj Bradley was traded to Minnesota. Joe Boyle, Steven Matz, and Yoendrys Gomez are potential candidates to fill out the rotation, and there's a chance Littell could return as a free agent.
But here's where it gets controversial...
Injury Comeback: Griffin Canning's Achilles Rupture
Griffin Canning, a free agent right-hander, is also recovering from a major injury. He suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon while playing for the Mets last season. On Friday, Canning threw for interested teams, reaching 93 mph on the radar gun, as reported by Will Sammon of The Athletic. The Cardinals, White Sox, and Mets have been mentioned as potential destinations for Canning.
Before his injury, Canning was having a strong campaign. He signed a modest one-year, $4.25MM deal with New York and delivered a career-best 3.77 ERA through 16 starts. He made adjustments to his slider, adding more vertical drop and horizontal movement, and also tweaked his changeup. These changes helped him regain his strikeout ability, which had declined during his final season with the Angels.
The Resilient Otto Kemp: Overcoming Injury and Looking Ahead
On the position player side, utilityman Otto Kemp is expected to be fully fit for the upcoming season. Kemp suffered a fractured kneecap less than two weeks after being called up last year. He played through the injury for the remainder of the campaign. During the offseason, Kemp underwent surgery to repair his kneecap and also had a cleanup procedure on his shoulder. In an interview with NBC Sports Philadelphia, Kemp shared that he's recovering well from these operations and feels back to 100%.
"It's refreshing to feel that way after playing a lot of baseball banged up," Kemp said.
At just 26 years old, Kemp showed promise in his first taste of the big leagues, hitting eight home runs in 62 games. He finished with a .411 SLG, but his strikeout rate was above 30%. Kemp is among the internal candidates to compete for platoon work alongside Brandon Marsh in the outfield.
As we await the return of these injured players, it's an exciting time for baseball fans. But this is the part most people miss - the impact of injuries and the resilience of players can often be overlooked. What do you think? Will McClanahan and Canning make a successful comeback? And how will Kemp's recovery affect the Phillies' outfield plans? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
