Only Zach Eflin remains from Tampa Bay’s season-opening rotation that also consisted of Shane McClanahan, Jeffrey Springs, Drew Rasmussen and Josh Fleming.

McClanahan is the latest to hit the injured list and manager Kevin Cash noted before Tuesday’s game that his ace was likely finished for 2023.

The 26-year-old lefty, who missed the 2016 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery while at the University of South Florida, experienced forearm tightness during his August 2 start against the Yankees. Cash noted all options, including surgery, are on the table, though nothing will be determined until after McClanahan undergoes further evaluation August 14.

“You feel for Mac right now because he was (a pillar in the rotation) right up until his last start,” said Cash.

The Rays have long been known for persevering when the injuries pile up. What has taken place on the mound since the second week of the season has been quite a test.

Springs, who developed into a valuable member of the rotation last season and was off to a hot start this year, was shelved in mid-April with ulnar neuritis in his left arm. He was lost for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

It was hoped that Rasmussen would return following the all-star break after going on the IL in May with right flexor strain. While the righthander did not undergo Tommy John surgery, he ultimately had a season-ending procedure and will likely be out until mid-2024.

Fleming (left elbow inflammation) was placed on the injured list in early June and could return by the end of this month.

Tyler Glasnow would have opened the season as a member of the rotation and slotted behind McClanahan. However, the 6-foot-8 righthander missed the season’s first two months after straining an oblique at the end of spring training. He made his 2023 debut in late May and has since had an assortment of bumps and bruises, including back spasms that resulted in missing a start on the team’s most recent road trip.

The Rays opened a six-game homestand with St. Louis and Cleveland on Tuesday with Eflin the anchor of a new-look rotation. The 29-year-old righthander is having a career season, his first with the Rays after signing as a free agent in December. His 12 wins are a career high while leading the American League. A 0.97 WHIP tops the majors.

Aaron Civale, who was acquired at the trade deadline from Cleveland, Glasow and Zack Littell round out a quartet of true starting pitchers. Jalen Beeks was used as an opener against the Cardinals on Wednesday, a role he has fulfilled several times the past couple of years.

“Just continue to hope we can keep these guys healthy and somehow find ways to continue to get quality innings from Zach, who has done that for the most part all season,” said Cash.

Rookie righthander Taj Bradley, who showed much promise, but also struggled before being sent back to Triple-A Durham on July 31, could rejoin the rotation when rosters expand September 1 if not sooner.

Littell started 121 games in the minors before moving to the bullpen when he broke in with the Twins in 2018. The Rays, who claimed him off waivers from Boston in May, converted the 27-year-old righthander into a true starter after a dozen relief appearances and occasional opener. Littell, who established career highs for innings in each of his last two outings, threw six shutout innings at Detroit on August 4 when he limited the Tigers to three hits in picking up the win.

“I go out there and do the same thing I have been doing,” Littell said of his mindset as a starting pitcher. “I think they have been fairly communicative that they just want me to go out there and continue to do what I have been doing, continue to try to eat innings and take it one start at a time.”

Taking it one start at a time is pretty much how the Rays are going about things with a rotation that has undergone plenty of change this season.