Sports can be fun and filled with good, silly moments that are just filled with joy. Other times? They can be cruel. So so cruel.
We saw one of those cruel moments with Rays pitcher Shane McClanahan on Tuesday night.
The dude has unequivocally been one of the best pitchers in baseball this season and is an AL Cy Young candidate, to be sure. Through 24 starts he has a 2.20 ERA and an 11-5 record. He’s been balling this season.
But he was a late scratch on the mound for the Rays as they were heading into a start against the Marlins. He had what the Rays are calling a left shoulder impingement and couldn’t go.
That’s never good, but it’s always tough to hear you can’t play when you’re playing so well. But it’s especially so when it’s because of injury.
That’s why McClanahan took it so hard when he found out he couldn’t go on Tuesday. Cameras caught him having an extremely emotional moment after figuring out he couldn’t play.
Shane McClanahan was scratched from his start for the Rays tonight. And one can only hope this video from the bullpen before the game is not as bad as it looks. @TriciaWhitaker is reporting he's out with a left shoulder impingement. pic.twitter.com/Z5HMrHTHCk
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 30, 2022
He looked absolutely devastated. And who could blame him? He’s been on fire this season. Of course, he wants to continue that. Especially when the Rays are leading in the AL Wild Card race for the playoffs.
Hopefully, things aren’t as bad as they seem and he can get back on the mound ASAP. Fans felt so bad for him.
— #CutIgbo (@TouchdownTyreek) August 31, 2022
Shane McClanahan has been absolutely electric to watch this season and deserves finishing it strong. Hoping this is nothing serious 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 https://t.co/aSSHhin9Xc
— Kate Love (@xok_love) August 31, 2022
— Chuy Gutierrez (@Chewy714) August 31, 2022
Pitching remains an absolutely cruel profession. This stinks. https://t.co/3EC1dqFI91
— Brent Maguire (@bmags94) August 30, 2022
@gloeck We were worried about McClanhans usage and possible dead arm. This stinks if he really did hurt himself https://t.co/t1g4CdbCYA
— Dave Gloeckner (@dgloeck) August 30, 2022
bruh ain’t no way https://t.co/xYq98NP0Q8
— nick 🌅 (@nick_a9) August 30, 2022
Hate to see this … https://t.co/Vqo257evlR
— Ricky (@Ricky_Flo38) August 31, 2022
Oh hell nah… hope he's fine https://t.co/7izTfSmlSJ
— Mario (@DeGenZGZ) August 30, 2022
Big blow for the rays hopefully it isn’t serious 🙏🏾 https://t.co/RAdE3FLa2u
— Fiji Smilez 🏝 (@KingSmilez_) August 30, 2022
We really can’t catch a break https://t.co/tnChqJFJ9Y
— Skarpyyy (@Skarpyyy12) August 30, 2022
He can have my shoulder! https://t.co/wgyHV3NR1x
— Cody Smith (@codythecolossal) August 30, 2022
Absolutely brutal. His body language says it all https://t.co/N5nkCKmIrm
— Brandon Velaski (@bvelaski) August 30, 2022
Hopefully, it’s not too serious. Get well soon, Shane.
