Rays’ Shane McClanahan Did Not Live Up To His Standards In Return | Latest Sports News

It was August 2023 that Shane McClanahan last pitched in a regular season game. In his highly anticipated return Tuesday evening in Milwaukee, the Rays’ lefty cruised through four innings while keeping the Brewers hitless on 51 pitches and averaging 95.4 mph on his heater. To that point, it could not have been a better outing.

McClanahan hit a wall of sorts in the fifth when he allowed two hits and, most irksome to him, walked two batters and was charged with three runs (two earned) in taking the loss in a 6-2 setback.

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Overall, the 28-year-old’s outing was a success. Again, it was his first regular season outing in what was four months shy of three years.

“I was really happy and proud of him,” manager Kevin Cash told reporters after the game. “He came out, executed, and gave us an opportunity to win the ballgame. If that continues, we’re going to be in really good spot with ‘Mac.’”

Two-time all-star not satisfied

It is no surprise Cash provided rave reviews of McClanahan’s performance. After all, he nailed it when he said his club will be in a good spot should the two-time all-star continue to perform in a like manner throughout this 2026 season. The pitcher, though, was not interested in praise.

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“We lost,” he said following his outing. “I am having a hard time with that. That it has been two and a half years is no excuse. I want to win. I am here to win. I have to execute better. I am frustrated.”

McClanahan was particularly frustrated by something that should come as no surprise given how long he was sidelined: His stamina is not where he wants it to be.

“I kind of got a little winded,” he said of the 79-pitch outing, including 28 in the fifth inning he was unable to complete. “I have to get in better shape and I have to do a better job of controlling what I can control. I want to go out there and go eight innings, nine innings. I hate the fact it might still not be there yet. We’re going to improve on it. I can guarantee you that.”

That is likely to happen, and perhaps by his next outing, which is scheduled for Monday against the Cubs. That will be Tampa Bay’s home opener and the re-opening of Tropicana Field. The Rays played their 2025 home schedule at Steinbrenner Field while the dome was undergoing extensive exterior and interior repairs following damage caused by Hurricane Milton in October 2024.

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“I have the next five, six days to figure some stuff out,” said McClanahan. “I just have to be better. That’s what it boils down to.”

Lengthy journey amid multiple setbacks

McClanahan’s intensity shall not be mistaken for someone who does not appreciate the opportunity to take the mound again in a big-league game. Rather, he demands much of himself.

“I am very grateful to be back, but I want to win,” he said. “You know you might not be who you want to be just yet, and that’s frustrating because I have such high standards for myself.”

Such standards have resulted in a mark of 33-16, a 3.02 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in 74 career starts prior to his prolonged absence. McClanahan, who became the first pitcher to make his MLB debut during the postseason when he appeared out of the bullpen during the 2020 American League Division Series, had a strong spring in the aftermath of, speaking of setbacks, losing of his father, James, in January.

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The former University of South Florida standout went 3-0 with a 2.08 ERA during the Grapefruit League schedule. Far more important is that the results were not accompanied by any discomfort. After all, it was a week prior to his scheduled 2025 Opening Day start at Steinbrenner Field against the Rockies when a nerve issue during his final spring assignment surfaced and injury-highlights-importance-of-tampa-bay-rays-rotation-depth/” rel=”nofollow noopener” ended his season before it began. It was the second straight year McClanahan was sidelined after having sat out 2024 while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Now, McClanahan is back on the mound and only one thing matters.

“I’m here to win,” he said.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com