Brendan

McKay

McKay has been plagued by injuries the last few years and this latest setback figures to knock him out of action at Triple-A Durham for at least three months. The 28-year-old southpaw underwent an MRI earlier this month that revealed a flexor/pronator strain and an accompanying UCL sprain in his left elbow.

McKay has looked impressive and healthy, most importantly, this spring after missing the majority of the last few seasons due to injury issues. The 28-year-old lefty will need some additional time to continue ramping up in the minors, but might be an option for Tampa Bay at some point later this season.

McKay has also dealt with shoulder problems and thoracic outlet surgery since he made his last major league appearance in 2019. According to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, McKay was right around 90 mph with his fastball today. That’s not going to cut it in the majors, but hopefully he’ll get stronger while pitching in the minors at the beginning of the year.

McKay, a former top prospect, hasn’t pitched since 2022 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. The 28-year-old inked a two-year minor league contract with the Rays in the winter of 2022, and he could be a pitcher to watch this spring. The oft-injured southpaw hadn’t pitched in the majors since 2019 when he posted a 5.14 WRA, 1.41 WHIP, and 56/16 K/BB ratio across 49 innings (13 appearances).

The former top prospect will miss the entire 2023 campaign as he recovers from Tommy John surgery, but at least now he’ll be able to rehab in his familiar organization. He’s hoping to return stronger than ever for the 2024 season.

McKay was outrighted off the 40-man roster last week and has now officially been cut loose by Tampa Bay. The 26-year-old former top prospect will be out until 2024 as he recovers from Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery, but he’s sure to eventually get a fresh chance with a new organization.

Once one of baseball’s best prospects, McKay has been a non-factor these last three years because of arm problems and he’s expected to miss all of 2023, at least as a pitcher, following Tommy John surgery. The Rays will keep him for now, since he doesn’t have the right to become a free agent. If he progresses well, they could always put him back on the 40-man next winter.

The procedural move clears a spot on the Rays’ 40-man roster. McKay is slated to undergo Tommy John elbow reconstructive surgery and will not return until at least the 2024 season. It’s a tough break for the 26-year-old southpaw who hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2019 due to injuries.

The procedural move was made shortly after the team announced that McKay will undergo Tommy John elbow reconstructive surgery, which will likely keep him sidelined into the 2024 campaign. It’s a tough blow for the 26-year-old lefty, who hasn’t pitched in the majors since the 2019 campaign due to injuries.

McKay had gone for a second opinion after an MRI revealed UCL damage to his left elbow and it looks like that opinion confirmed the unfortunate reality. He’ll now miss the entirety of the 2023 season with the hope that he’ll be healthy and ready to go for spring training in 2024.