Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane McClanahan was removed from Thursday’s game against the visiting Texas Rangers after facing two batters in the fourth inning.
The Rays announced the left-hander had departed with mid-back tightness.
The two-time All-Star hit Ezequiel Duran to open the inning and walked Brandon Nimmo before bending over on the mound. Manager Kevin Cash and head athletic trainer Joe Benge walked to the mound and immediately removed McClanahan.
Casey Legumina, the opener in the Rays’ 3-0 win on Wednesday, entered in place of McClanahan. Legumina pitched a hitless two-thirds of an inning and struck out one.
McClanahan entered the game 9-6 with a 3.09 ERA this season. He entered the matchup 7-1 at home with a 1.88 ERA over nine starts.
