Tightness in Shane McClanahan’s back has forced the Rays to place the rookie southpaw on the 10-day injured list yesterday. The injury is minor, however, and the Rays plan to have McClanahan back in the rotation as of September 19, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.
McClanahan has made 22 starts for the Rays, which puts him first on the team in that category, while he’s second in innings pitched with 110 1/3 frames. Those innings have largely been quality: McClanahan has posted a 3.59 ERA/3.23 FIP with a strikeout rate roughly four percent better than average and a walk rate roughly one percent better than average.
In the meantime, Louis Head was recalled from Triple-A, and Chris Archer will move back into the rotation to start today’s game against the Tigers. The 31-year-old Head is in his first season with Tampa, a year in which he’s made his Major League debut and posted a 2.93 ERA/3.52 FIP in 27 2/3 innings. Archer has yet to find his groove, though he did soak up five innings during his last start on September 4.
In less promising news, Matt Wisler could be sidelined for the rest of the season due to inflammation in his middle finger. The team is hopeful he sees some improvement after a 10-day shutdown, but the outlook doesn’t look promising. Wisler has been stellar since joining Tampa from the Giants, pitching to a 2.30 ERA/2.17 FIP over 27 1/3 innings.
If Wisler is out for the year, the Rays could replace him with a familiar face: Nick Anderson should join the active roster for the first time this season on Sunday, per Topkin. That the Rays have succeeded as they have without Anderson all year speaks to their pitching depth. Anderson was a crucial piece of their pen last season and could be again if he appears on track heading into the postseason. Anderson has been out all year with a partial ligament tear in his elbow.
Put an apple on Head and let Archer have a shot.
*plays William Tell Overture, mounts horse and rides away*
it is crazy that he did so well with a change of scenery because he was soooo bad in SF
If Head gets farmed out when McClanahan returns, it will be his *twelfth* time sent back to AAA this year.
If McClanahan was placed on 10 day IL on September 10th wouldn’t he be eligible to return September 20th rather then September 19th? Or am I missing something?
The Rays know pitching. Who are their pitching coaches from the majors through Single A? And their scouts? Wisler certainly was one. Who is Dietrich Ennis? And they have David Robertson, so how did he slip past the other playoff contenders? Surely the Dodgers could have scooped him up. Or the Yankees, who bullpen looks gassed.