MLB rumors: Rays postseason hopes take major step back with Shane McClanahan injury
The Tampa Bay Rays were red hot to start the 2023 season, having a commanding first-place lead in the AL East. However, the team fell back down to Earth once the team entered the All-Star break, and watched the rival Baltimore Orioles leapfrog them in the division standings.
At the trade deadline, Tampa Bay acquire Aaron Civale from the Cleveland Guardians to bolster their starting rotation, led by AL Cy Young candidate Shane McClanahan. However, the rotation has since taken a hit.
Rays manager Kevin Cash revealed on Tuesday that McClanahan is "highly unlikely" to pitch again for the team this weekend.
Additionally, Cash said that they are exploring surgery options for McClanahan, whether it's Tommy John surgery, flexor surgery, or loose body removal.
McClanahan last pitched on Aug. 2 against the New York Yankees, where he allowed five earned runs on five hits in four full innings in the 7-2 loss. In the fourth inning of that game, McClanahan experienced tightness in his left forearm. After the game, McClanahan was placed on the 15-day injured list.
On the year, McClanahan recorded a 3.29 ERA, a 1.183 WHIP, an 11-2 win-loss record, 121 strikeouts, and 41 walks in 115.0 innings.
This is brutal news for the Rays, as they look to gain ground on the Orioles for the division lead and, at the minimum, remain in the Wild Card picture.
MLB rumors: Red Sox trade deadline acquisition part of walk-off win controversy
The Boston Red Sox were one of the big losers of the MLB trade deadline. Why's that? Well, the team didn't make a move that significantly increased their playoff chances. Their addition was former Milwaukee Brewers infielder Luis Urias.
While Urias wasn't expected to play much of a role on the Red Sox roster, he did help contribute to a team victory over the Kansas City Royals on Monday night.
Urias stepped into the batter's box with the game tied 2-2 with two outs on the board, with Rafael Devers and Carlos Hernandez on base. On a 3-2 count, Urias looked to have swung at a pitch that would have sent the game to extras. Instead, home plate umpire Nick Mahrley looked to first base umpire Vic Carapazza, who declared Urias actually checked his swing.
You be the judge on whether the call was right or wrong.
This call was substantial, as the very next batter was Pablo Reyes, who crushed a walk-off grand slam to left field to give Boston the 6-2 win.
Royals fans who aren't already numb to the disastrous season had to be livid over the call. But for the Red Sox, a win is a win, and it only helped them stay alive in the postseason picture.
MLB rumors: Latest update on Kevin Brown after Orioles suspension
The baseball world was up in arms over a controversial decision made by the Baltimore Orioles. MASN broadcaster Kevin Brown was suspended indefinitely by the Orioles for… speaking the facts about the team's struggles against the Tampa Bay Rays in prior years. The Orioles took exception to the actual facts, reportedly because they made them sound cheap, and they suspended Brown.
Specifically ahead of Baltimore's game against Tampa Bay on July 23, Brown said the Orioles had gone 0-15-1 in their previous 16 series at Tropicana Field, and that the team had the chance to pick up their first series victory. Not to mention, that a graphic of those facts appeared on the MASN broadcast, so it wasn't just Brown who acknowledged it. Brown was using facts to praise Baltimore for how much better they've performed this year. Brown had not appeared on a broadcast since.
Brown's suspension caused fellow broadcasters like Gary Cohen, Michael Kay and more to publicly decry the Orioles' decision.
Well, Brown is reportedly scheduled to make his return to the booth this Friday for Baltimore's game against the Seattle Mariners, per The Athletic and The Baltimore Banner.
The Orioles' success this year has been overshadowed by ownership being thin-skinned over a simple fact — the team wasn't good in previous years. But, the good news is for those who have followed the story is that Brown will be back in the booth in Seattle for the Orioles' game against the Mariners.