--- title: "Garrett Cleavinger returns: Rays make one roster move for World Series Game 1" description: "The Rays changed just one name on their roster for the franchise's third World Series trip, and it brings back a lefty who has not pitched in a real game…" url: https://sports.skoop.news/cleavinger-back-on-rays-world-series-roster--10-23/ published: 2026-10-24T04:11:20.166840-04:00 modified: 2026-10-24T04:11:20.166881-04:00 section: "Sports" publisher: "skoop.news" language: en keywords: ["garrett cleavinger", "World Series", "American Family Field", "Manager Kevin Cash", "Now Tampa Bay", "American League", "Cam Booser", "Rays", "Game", "Milwaukee"] hashtags: ["#WorldSeries", "#AmericanFamilyField", "#ManagerKevinCash", "#sports", "#sportshighlights"] image: https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/56/Water_fountain_near_the_art_museum_in_Milwaukee%2C_Wisconsin_6178.jpg/1280px-Water_fountain_near_the_art_museum_in_Milwaukee%2C_Wisconsin_6178.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail --- # Garrett Cleavinger returns: Rays make one roster move for World Series Game 1 > The Rays changed just one name on their roster for the franchise's third World Series trip, and it brings back a lefty who has not pitched in a real game in seven weeks. Published 2026-10-24 · Updated 2026-10-24 · Sports, [skoop.news](https://skoop.news/) ## In brief - The Rays made just one roster change for the franchise's third World Series appearance, and it affects every fan wondering who pitches in relief against Milwaukee [[1]](https://www.mlb.com/news/rays-2026-world-series-roster). - The Rays activated Cleavinger for the ALDS but never used him against the Yankees [[3]](https://www.nbcsports.com/fantasy/baseball/player-news/2026-10-23/rays-put-garrett-cleavinger-on-world-series-roster). - Manager Kevin Cash said he would prefer to give Cleavinger a soft landing early in the series, given how long it has been since he pitched in a real game [[1]](https://www.mlb.com/news/rays-2026-world-series-roster). ## One change for the World Series The Rays made just one roster change for the franchise's third World Series appearance, and it affects every fan wondering who pitches in relief against Milwaukee [[1]](https://www.mlb.com/news/rays-2026-world-series-roster). That move was Garrett Cleavinger, who is back on the roster [[1]](https://www.mlb.com/news/rays-2026-world-series-roster). Tampa Bay announced its roster on Friday morning, hours before Game 1 at American Family Field [[1]](https://www.mlb.com/news/rays-2026-world-series-roster). Game 1 of the World Series is Friday night in Milwaukee [[2]](https://www2.ljworld.com/sports/professional-sports/2026/oct/22/rays-lineup-is-a-mixture-of-star-power-and-role-players-who-do-whatever-it-takes-to-win/). ## Why Cleavinger is back The Rays activated Cleavinger for the ALDS but never used him against the Yankees [[3]](https://www.nbcsports.com/fantasy/baseball/player-news/2026-10-23/rays-put-garrett-cleavinger-on-world-series-roster). He was on that roster and did not pitch [[1]](https://www.mlb.com/news/rays-2026-world-series-roster). For the ALCS, the Rays removed him in favor of Hopkins, who did not pitch against the Guardians [[1]](https://www.mlb.com/news/rays-2026-world-series-roster). Now Tampa Bay chose to bring back the experienced left-hander over the young right-hander [[1]](https://www.mlb.com/news/rays-2026-world-series-roster). After the Rays beat the Guardians in six games, the Cleavinger move was their only roster change [[1]](https://www.mlb.com/news/rays-2026-world-series-roster). ## What Kevin Cash expects Manager Kevin Cash said he would prefer to give Cleavinger a soft landing early in the series, given how long it has been since he pitched in a real game [[1]](https://www.mlb.com/news/rays-2026-world-series-roster). If Cleavinger pitches in the World Series, it would be his first appearance in seven weeks [[3]](https://www.nbcsports.com/fantasy/baseball/player-news/2026-10-23/rays-put-garrett-cleavinger-on-world-series-roster). Cash said Cleavinger kept his arm in shape by throwing to hitters during the ALCS and on off days [[1]](https://www.mlb.com/news/rays-2026-world-series-roster). He also said Cleavinger's left-handedness could help against Milwaukee's potential left-handed hitters [[1]](https://www.mlb.com/news/rays-2026-world-series-roster). The Rays expect him to play a meaningful role as the series continues [[1]](https://www.mlb.com/news/rays-2026-world-series-roster). ## The pitching staff The Rays will carry 14 position players and 12 pitchers [[1]](https://www.mlb.com/news/rays-2026-world-series-roster). Nick Martinez, Drew Rasmussen and Freddy Peralta are the three sure-thing starters, and everyone else will be available out of the bullpen in Game 1 [[1]](https://www.mlb.com/news/rays-2026-world-series-roster). Cleavinger could be helpful alongside fellow lefties Ian Seymour and Cam Booser, both of whom have carried big workloads [[3]](https://www.nbcsports.com/fantasy/baseball/player-news/2026-10-23/rays-put-garrett-cleavinger-on-world-series-roster). ## The team he rejoins The Rays led the American League in wins and are heading to the World Series with a non-traditional lineup [[2]](https://www2.ljworld.com/sports/professional-sports/2026/oct/22/rays-lineup-is-a-mixture-of-star-power-and-role-players-who-do-whatever-it-takes-to-win/). They finished second to the NL champion Brewers in team batting average, .2581 to .2585 [[2]](https://www2.ljworld.com/sports/professional-sports/2026/oct/22/rays-lineup-is-a-mixture-of-star-power-and-role-players-who-do-whatever-it-takes-to-win/). They also led the majors with 134 bunts during the regular season [[2]](https://www2.ljworld.com/sports/professional-sports/2026/oct/22/rays-lineup-is-a-mixture-of-star-power-and-role-players-who-do-whatever-it-takes-to-win/). Chandler Simpson led the team with a .306 batting average and 46 steals [[2]](https://www2.ljworld.com/sports/professional-sports/2026/oct/22/rays-lineup-is-a-mixture-of-star-power-and-role-players-who-do-whatever-it-takes-to-win/). Junior Caminero hit .276 with 42 homers, 101 RBIs and an .885 OPS [[2]](https://www2.ljworld.com/sports/professional-sports/2026/oct/22/rays-lineup-is-a-mixture-of-star-power-and-role-players-who-do-whatever-it-takes-to-win/). Yandy Díaz led the league with 180 hits [[2]](https://www2.ljworld.com/sports/professional-sports/2026/oct/22/rays-lineup-is-a-mixture-of-star-power-and-role-players-who-do-whatever-it-takes-to-win/), and Jonathan Aranda hit .274 with 22 homers, 92 RBIs and a .358 OBP [[2]](https://www2.ljworld.com/sports/professional-sports/2026/oct/22/rays-lineup-is-a-mixture-of-star-power-and-role-players-who-do-whatever-it-takes-to-win/). ## What it means for you If you follow the Rays, watch Game 1 on Friday night in Milwaukee for Cleavinger [[2]](https://www2.ljworld.com/sports/professional-sports/2026/oct/22/rays-lineup-is-a-mixture-of-star-power-and-role-players-who-do-whatever-it-takes-to-win/). Cash would prefer an early soft landing for him, so his first outing could come in a low-pressure spot [[1]](https://www.mlb.com/news/rays-2026-world-series-roster). Any appearance would be his first in seven weeks [[3]](https://www.nbcsports.com/fantasy/baseball/player-news/2026-10-23/rays-put-garrett-cleavinger-on-world-series-roster). Watch for him against left-handed Brewers hitters, since Cash said his left-handedness could help there [[1]](https://www.mlb.com/news/rays-2026-world-series-roster). The Rays expect him to matter as the series continues, and a title would be the first in the franchise's 29-year history [[1]](https://www.mlb.com/news/rays-2026-world-series-roster) [[2]](https://www2.ljworld.com/sports/professional-sports/2026/oct/22/rays-lineup-is-a-mixture-of-star-power-and-role-players-who-do-whatever-it-takes-to-win/). ## Sources 1. [Cleavinger back on Rays' World Series roster](https://www.mlb.com/news/rays-2026-world-series-roster) — mlb.com 2. [Rays’ lineup is a mixture of star power and role players who do whatever it takes to win](https://www2.ljworld.com/sports/professional-sports/2026/oct/22/rays-lineup-is-a-mixture-of-star-power-and-role-players-who-do-whatever-it-takes-to-win/) — www2.ljworld.com 3. [Rays put Garrett Cleavinger on World Series roster](https://www.nbcsports.com/fantasy/baseball/player-news/2026-10-23/rays-put-garrett-cleavinger-on-world-series-roster) — nbcsports.com Image: Photo: Dori / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 us (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Water_fountain_near_the_art_museum_in_Milwaukee,_Wisconsin_6178.jpg) --- Written from the sources above and checked twice (rules and an independent model) before publishing. How we work: https://skoop.news/how-we-work/ · Corrections: https://skoop.news/corrections/