Monday, 3 a.m.
Remind yourself that he's still healing. Tell yourself that it's part of the process. After missing so much time, it is natural that Shane McClanahan is still on the mend.
That said, but could recuperation kind of hurry it along?
McClanahan made his fourth start since his return, and no, he's not back yet. There are signs, and there are promises, but so far, this is not the same Cy Young candidate he was.
Again, that's normal. Still, it's hard to see McClanahan unable to finish the fifth inning, or leaving with an ERA of 5.00.
The Pittsburgh Pirates got to McClanahan early in Sunday's 6-3 victory over the Rays at PNC Park.
The Rays took a 2-1 lead on Hunter Feduccia's two-run single in the fourth. But Pittsburgh came right back with three in the bottom of the inning.
The Rays had just six hits on the day. One of them was Junior Caminero's fifth homer of the season.
The Rays return to Tropicana Field tonight at 6:40 p.m. against Cincinnati. The Rays have yet to name a starter to oppose the Reds' Rhett Lowder.