TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays announced Sunday that starting pitcher Shane McClanahan will start the 2025 regular season on the injured list after testing revealed "nerve irritation" in his left arm.

McClanahan, trying to bounce back from Tommy John surgery, left Saturday's game against the Boston Red Sox after appearing to hurt his arm during a delivery.

The team also announced that Ryan Pepiot will start Friday's season opener against the Colorado Rockies.

Speaking with reporters after Sunday's 3-3 tie against the New York Yankees, Rays manager Kevin Cash told the team's website that it was "probably the best news we could have heard" but added there is no timeframe for the pitcher's return.

McClanahan had the surgery in 2023 and missed all of last season. The Rays are counting on a rebound from him after they missed the postseason last season for the first time since 2018.

He was 12-8 in 2022 and built on that success in 2023, going 11-2 with a 3.29 ERA before being shut down for the surgery.

The Rays have one last spring training game, on Monday against the Philadelphia Phillies, before opening the regular season at Steinbrenner Field, the team's home for the 2025 season.