Rays finalize World Series roster with one change: Cleavinger returns, Hopkins removed

Tampa Bay will carry the same 25 other players as it did through the AL Championship Series, but left-hander Garrett Cleavinger is back on the World Series roster after replacing Brody Hopkins.

By The Apex Times Newsroom1 min readAI-assisted Apex article

The Rays’ World Series roster is set, and the franchise made only one change: left-handed reliever Garrett Cleavinger returns while hard-throwing prospect Brody Hopkins is the player sent out.

MLB’s release says Tampa Bay announced its roster on Friday morning, hours before Game 1 at American Family Field.

Cleavinger had finished the regular season on Tampa Bay’s injured list. He was included on the Rays’ AL Division Series roster but did not pitch against the Yankees.

After Tampa Bay advanced past the AL Championship Series, the team removed Cleavinger from its ALCS roster in favor of Hopkins. The release says Hopkins did not pitch against the Guardians.

With the World Series roster finalized after the six-game ALCS, Tampa Bay reverted to the more experienced lefty, carrying 14 position players and 12 pitchers into Game 1.

The pitchers listed are Drew Rasmussen, Freddy Peralta, Nick Martinez, Griffin Jax, Ian Seymour, Bryan Baker, Tyler Wells, Kevin Kelly, Cam Booser, Cole Sulser, Steven Matz, and Garrett Cleavinger, alongside catchers Liam Hicks and Nick Fortes; infielders Jonathan Aranda, Richie Palacios, Taylor Walls, Junior Caminero, Ben Williamson, and Jorge Mateo; outfielders Chandler Simpson, Cedric Mullins, Victor Mesa Jr., Jonny DeLuca, and Ryan Vilade; and designated hitter Yandy Díaz.

Why It Matters

This change tightens the Rays’ late-inning mix by adding back a left-handed bullpen option for the World Series.
The move also indicates Tampa Bay is prioritizing prior World Series playoff readiness over a youth/power arm that was selected for the AL Championship Series.
Because neither Cleavinger nor Hopkins pitched in their respective Division Series or Championship Series matchups noted in the release, the World Series bullpen plan becomes the immediate focal point.
The Rays’ roster balance is consistent at 14 position players and 12 pitchers, meaning the rest of the season’s core roles remain intact going into Game 1.

Sources

Key Facts

The Rays’ World Series roster includes a single change: Garrett Cleavinger replaces Brody Hopkins.
Tampa Bay announced the World Series roster Friday morning ahead of Game 1 at American Family Field.
Cleavinger finished the regular season on the injured list and was on the ALDS roster but did not pitch vs. the Yankees.
The release says Cleavinger was removed from the ALCS roster for Hopkins, who also did not pitch vs. the Guardians.
Tampa Bay will carry 14 position players and 12 pitchers for Game 1, totaling 26 roster spots.
The 12 pitchers named are Drew Rasmussen, Freddy Peralta, Nick Martinez, Griffin Jax, Ian Seymour, Bryan Baker, Tyler Wells, Kevin Kelly, Cam Booser, Cole Sulser, Steven Matz, and Garrett Cleavinger.