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Shane McClanahan 2026 Fantasy Baseball Outlook: Tampa Bay Pitcher Finally Returning From Injuries
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Shane McClanahan is aiming to return to the mound in 2026 after not pitching in MLB since 2023 due to injuries. In 2023, McClanahan posted an 11-2 record with a 3.29 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and a 17.1 K-BB% (with 121 strikeouts over 41 walks) in 115 innings pitched. McClanahan's 2023 success was due to making hitters miss, as his Whiff% of 33.5 also ranked in the top 4% of pitchers. The 28-year-old starting pitcher missed the 2024 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, which he had in August 2023. He was set to return in 2025 but suffered a triceps injury in spring training before going on the 60-day IL in April. He underwent eventual surgery to fix a nerve issue in his triceps in August that kept him off the mound for the rest of the year. MLB.com's Adam Berry reported that McClanahan faced live batters in late February. "A lot of [stuff] went into this whole process. Finally almost through it, and still a little healing left, but we're so close. So I was ready to get out there and just do it," McClanahan said. ATC projections forecast McClanahan to pitch 115 innings and post a 7-6 record with a 3.71 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. NFBC players are drafting McClanahan at an ADP of 245. RotoBaller.com has McClanahan ranked No. 242 overall and No. 69 among starting pitchers. Even if McClanahan were to recapture much of his top form this season, his workload and upside may be limited after coming off a long layoff.
