Rays place McClanahan on IL with shoulder injury after missed start

Tampa Bay Rays ace Shane McClanahan was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a left shoulder impingement, the team announced.

McClanahan was scratched shortly before his scheduled start against the Miami Marlins on Tuesday as he warmed up in the bullpen.

Because the IL move is for 15 days, the soonest McClanahan can return is Sept. 15 against the Toronto Blue Jays, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.

"We're actually pretty optimistic about it," McClanahan said, according to Topkin. "We don't think it’s anything major, hopefully. And I think we're going to be all right. ... We've got to get some more clarity on it, do some further stuff. But as of right now, I think 'cautiously optimistic' is the right word for it."

McClanahan has put together a breakout campaign and is a strong contender for his first American League Cy Young. The 25-year-old owns an 11-5 record with a 2.20 ERA, 2.65 FIP, and 182 strikeouts across 147 1/3 innings.

The Rays also placed infielder/outfielder Brandon Lowe on the 10-day IL with a right triceps contusion, retroactive to Aug. 28.