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McClanahan (left forearm tightness) shut down for season

The Tampa Bay Rays' postseason hopes took a major setback as starting pitcher Shane McClanahan was ruled out for the remainder of the playoffs due to lingering left forearm tightness, manager Kevin Cash announced. McClanahan, who has been sidelined since September 3 after leaving a start against the Texas Rangers, was expected to be a key asset in the team’s push for their first World Series title.

His absence leaves the Rays with a thinner rotation as they prepare to face the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Championship Series, beginning Monday night at Tropicana Field.

With McClanahan out, the Rays will rely on a four-man rotation led by Drew Rasmussen, who pitched a dominant performance in Game 1 of the ALDS against the New York Yankees. Rasmussen, coming off an All-Star season with a 2.67 ERA, will start Game 1 of the ALCS, while Freddy Peralta and Nick Martinez are set to follow in the rotation.

Griffin Jax or Ian Seymour will fill the fourth spot, with one of them likely shifting to the bullpen to bolster the late-inning relief corps.

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