The Tampa Bay Rays have activated left-handed reliever Garrett Cleavinger and added him to their World Series roster, with right-hander Brody Hopkins removed in the corresponding move, via the MLB transaction log.
The change, confirmed Friday ahead of Game 1 against the Milwaukee Brewers, is the only adjustment to the 26-man roster that advanced through the ALDS and ALCS.
Cleavinger spent significant time on the injured list in 2026.
He landed on the 15-day IL on September 5 with left forearm tightness after appearing in 51 games (4-4, 4.79 ERA, 54 strikeouts in 41.1 innings).
Cleavinger was activated on September 28 and made the ALDS roster against the New York Yankees, though he did not pitch in the three-game sweep.
On October 12, his roster status changed again as the Rays left him off the ALCS roster against the Cleveland Guardians in favor of prospect Brody Hopkins.
Hopkins, who debuted in September, is now off the World Series roster.
The 32-year-old Cleavinger, acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers in a 2022 trade for outfielder German Tapia, has been a steady bullpen presence for Tampa Bay despite an up-and-down 2026 campaign that also included an earlier IL stint for right calf tightness.
His career numbers include a 3.49 ERA across 241 major-league appearances and 216.1 innings, with a strong strikeout rate.
In limited postseason action earlier in his Rays tenure, he has pitched scoreless baseball.
For the Rays, who finished 98-64 and captured the AL East before sweeping the Yankees and defeating the Guardians 4-2, the move restores a left-handed option to a bullpen that also features Cam Booser, Ian Seymour, and Steven Matz.
Cleavinger’s return gives manager Kevin Cash additional flexibility against a Brewers lineup that features several left-handed or switch-hitting threats as Tampa Bay pursues its first World Series title.
The activation aligns with the team’s pattern of managing the 40-man and active rosters carefully around injuries and matchups.
With Game 1 set for Friday night at American Family Field, Cleavinger is available for high-leverage or specialized matchup work as the Rays open the Fall Classic.
