What Happened Brendan McKay?

According to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, McKay (elbow) underwent thoracic outlet syndrome decompression surgery on Tuesday, according to Tampa Bay Times.

When the pitcher begins his rehabilitation, he is expected to return to the pitching mound by early February. It is possible that McKay will begin mound work in spring training if all goes according to plan.

However, this is just the latest in a long string of bad health events. Due to a shoulder issue that necessitated surgery, the southpaw will miss the truncated 2020 season.

Until late June this year, he was unable to return to the field. After only a few appearances in a minor league rehab assignment, he developed another season-ending flexor strain in his forearm.

Because of the injuries, the former fourth-round pick has only played 49 innings in the Major Leagues, all of which came back in 2019.

McKay’s situation with the club could be complicated by his present roster status, as he is expected to be out of minor league options at some point in the future.

That means the team would either have to keep him on the active roster (or on the major league injured list) for the entire season or risk losing him to waivers if he were to leave.