Rays’ Shane McClanahan goes on IL, out until after All-Star break

SEATTLE — Shane McClanahan was put on the 15-day injured list by the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday, a day after the 26-year-old left-hander came out of his second straight start due to mid-back tightness.

McClanahan, 11-1 with a 2.53 ERA, left a June 22 outing against Kansas City after 3⅔ innings and Friday’s start against Seattle after three innings. His IL stint will run through the All-Star break.

“If I were to go on the IL, I think this is probably the best time for it,” McClanahan said. “I’d only have to miss one start, and do what I want to do, and that’s come back and be me. Not be a shell of myself. I miss that guy out there, and I want to get back and do the things I know I can do, and not worry about a back or whatever.”

McClanahan leads the major leagues in wins, is second in the AL in ERA and has a 1.17 WHIP and 101 strikeouts over 17 starts.

“Pretty easy decision given where we’re at in the season,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “This is the second time in his last two starts that he’s felt it, so we figured we can take the time to calm it down. We do have the benefit of the break, and would expect for him to be right in the mix when we get back out of the All-Star break.”