Rays' Chandler Simpson has big day, but leaves game with leg issue

TORONTO - Speedy Chandler Simpson did so much good for the Rays in his first four trips to the plate during Monday's 8-5 win over the Blue Jays. He reached base four times, rapped three infield hits, stole two bases and scored three runs.

Now the Rays have to hope what happened in Simpson's last time up doesn't become the most notable event of the night.

After grounding a ball toward second base, Simpson strode awkwardly and slowly out of the box as he headed toward first base.

Replays made it look like his left leg slipped, but the Rays said after the game they think the issue was likely a cramp and thus not a major concern.

"I think it might have just been a cramp more than anything," manager Kevin Cash said. "Right now, (his) strength is really good."

Simpson made the final out of the eighth and was removed from the game, with Jonny DeLuca taking his place in leftfield.

Cash said he was likely going to give Simpson Tuesday off anyway against Jays lefty Patrick Corbin.

"Then we'll go from there," Cash said. "But from all the reports, (it) sounds really good."

Simpson was still in the trainers' room well after the game and not available for comment.

Shane McClanahan a changed man

Shane McClanahan doesn't want to talk much about how well he's done so far in his impressive comeback after missing 2 ½ seasons with injuries.

But as he takes the mound Tuesday at the Rogers Centre seeking a career-best fourth straight scoreless start, he explained in detail why he is doing things differently, most notably throwing fewer fastballs, especially at max effort, while using more sliders and changeups.

Between being sidelined all that time and his acknowledged maturation, McClanahan, who turned 29 last month, said he felt it was time for his approach to change.

"I think I was ready for that next development in myself as a starter, reading swings and maybe understanding I'm not that 23-year-old that wakes up every morning to go throw 100 mph every pitch on command," he said. "Just taking the next step forward and understanding that changing speeds and locations and trusting the guys behind you - that's the beauty of pitching."

McClanahan said he also made the change to extend his career, having had his second Tommy John elbow surgery in August 2023 and a decompression procedure in August 2025 to address a nerve issue.

"I want to pitch for a really long time," he said Monday. "I really don't know any pitchers, especially starters, that can go out there and throw it as hard as they can every single pitch, and do it for more than kind of a couple years. I think those last 2 1/2 years on the shelf it just gives you a perspective. It's like you want to go out there, find a way to get it done and stick around and throw a lot of innings for these guys.

"Because what good is it if I'm throwing 100 (mph) every pitch, but I'm out of the game in the fourth inning, or if I'm 100 innings in and done for the year because I'm tired, or my shoulder or my elbow (has) something. I look at the big picture and understood that I cherish and value being out there, being able to compete with these guys."

Though McClanahan averaged better than 96.5 mph with his fastball from 2021-23 and hit triple digits 25 times (of 6,240 pitches), he said he knew it would be wise to not go all out all the time.

"I'm not Nolan Ryan, I'm not Randy Johnson. The good lord hasn't blessed me with those type of arm talents. And those guys were so much more, in my opinion, than just arm talent, too. Those guys were pitchers," McClanahan said. "So it was exciting for me to understand that I'm not going to stand still and watch the game pass me by. I'm going to try and evolve with it and make that next step and become who I am or who I want to be."

Gavin Lux update coming

The Rays are expected to have an update Tuesday on the status of second baseman Gavin Lux, whose 20-day rehab assignment window with Triple-A Durham ends Wednesday.

Lux, acquired in a January trade (and making $5.525 million, fifth most on the team), has been sidelined all season, first with a right shoulder impingement then, 10 days into his initial rehab, turning his left ankle, missing nearly two more weeks.

In 21 rehab games, he hit .200 (14-for-70) with one homer, 10 RBIs and a .678 OPS with 23 strikeouts in 90 plate appearances. In 17 starts at second, he made six errors.

Miscellany

Catcher Hunter Feduccia became the 2,000th batter struck out by Jays starter Kevin Gausman, sixth most among active pitchers. ... Outfielder Justyn-Henry Malloy, designated for assignment on Saturday to create a 40-man roster spot for reliever Aaron Brooks, will stay in the organization as he cleared waivers and was outrighted to Durham. … Charleston (S.C.) right-hander Aidan Cremarosa was named Class-A Carolina League pitcher of the week after throwing a no-hittter on Friday. That was the seventh nine-inning no-hitter by a Rays minor-leaguer, the first since Justin Marks in 2016.

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