Shane McClanahan

McClanahan is the ultimate wild card in this year's starting pitcher pool, having not thrown a pitch in a major-league game since 2023. The 28-year-old former fantasy ace appeared close to completing his return from Tommy John surgery last spring before a triceps injury derailed that timeline and ultimately led to season-ending forearm surgery in August. All eyes will be on McClanahan this spring to evaluate how his velocity and command respond after the extended layoff. The bigger question isn't what he looks like in March -- it's whether his body will cooperate over the long haul and withstand the grind of a full-season workload.

McClanahan (triceps) threw live batting practice Saturday, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

There was some doubt because Shane McClanahan (nerve issue) is expected to be healthy to start the season and had been an Opening Day starter in the past. Still, Rasmussen was the team's best pitcher last year, registering a 2.76 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 127/37 K/BB ratio in 150 innings. The 30-year-old has a 2.70 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and 333/86 K/BB ratio in 389 2/3 career innings as a starter. He figures to be a potential top-30 starting pitcher in fantasy baseball this year.

Rays pitching coach Kyle Snyder said Monday that McClanahan (triceps) has looked "really, really good" this offseason and is being "totally built up to start with the expectation" he'll be in Tampa Bay's rotation, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

The Tampa Bay Rays have added veteran starting pitcher Nick Martinez on a multi-year contract, with $13 million guaranteed overall. He ll slot into a rotation that features Drew Rasmussen and Ryan Pepiot as guaranteed starters, a reliever looking to convert to starting in newcomer Steven Matz, and former All-Star Shane McClanahan, who is seeking a [ ]