Garrett

Cleavinger

Cleavinger has been perhaps the most impactful left-handed reliever in Tampa Bay for years now. Over the last four years, he’s recorded eight saves with a 2.96 ERA, 1.087 WHIP, and 192/59 K/BB ratio in 152 innings pitched. He will continue to be a crucial part of their bullpen in 2026.

Matz fortifies Tampa Bay’s relief depth after compiling a strong 3.05 ERA (3.46 FIP) and 59/11 K/BB ratio across 76 2/3 innings over 53 appearances between the Cardinals and Red Sox this past season. The 34-year-old southpaw has excelled since transitioning to a full-time relief role but his fantasy appeal is virtually non-existent since he’s mostly toiling away in middle relief. The Rays are expected to roll with a closer-by-committee strategy next season with Edwin Uceta, Griffin Jax and Garrett Cleavinger sharing the role.

Griffin Jax started the ninth inning with a two-run advantage, but he loaded the bases with a pair of walks and a single. Cleavinger then came on to try to put out the fire. He allowed a sacrifice fly to Mitch Garver that pushed one run across, but then retired Randy Arozarena on a fly ball to right field and Cal Raleigh on a pop out to third base to end the ballgame. He has been a major weapon out of the Rays’ bullpen this season, compiling a 1.75 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and a 68/16 K/BB ratio over 51 1/3 innings.

Cleavinger was called upon for the save after Pete Fairbanks worked back-to-back days and filled in admirably. His sweeper was so nasty that Gavin Sheets reached first base after striking out against it when Ben Rortvedt couldn’t corral the pitch. That threat ended quickly thereafter when Kameron Misner made an excellent catch on a sinking liner in right field and doubled Sheets off first base. Expect Fairbanks to get the next save opportunity for the Rays.

Cleavinger was an integral member of the Rays’ bullpen as their primary late-inning left-handed pitcher. He posted a 3.75 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, and 71/31 K/BB ratio in 60 innings. A return to health for Pete Fairbanks would make it hard for Cleavinger to match the six saves he recorded in 2024, but Fairbanks is not a lock for a healthy season, and the Rays could always trade him too, so Cleavinger could be added on fantasy waiver wires at some point next year.

Cleavinger’s save was just his sixth of the year. His last save came on September 3rd so this isn’t a regular occurrence for him, though the Rays don’t have a set closer at the moment. He struck out two in a perfect ninth inning and lowered his ERA to 3.41 on the season in the process.

Edwin Uceta started the ninth inning with the Rays up 2-1 and struck out two batters, but he also gave up two hits, so the Rays turned to Cleavinger to face left-hander Trevor Larnach. Even though the Twins then pinch-hit for Larnach, Cleavinger was able to get the final out and secure his fifth save of the season.

Cleavinger got the call to face his former team in extra innings with a two-run lead, and managed to work through the heart of Los Angeles’ lineup to preserve the victory, He got Shohei Ohtani to fly out before giving up a run-scoring sacrifice fly to Mookie Betts. He settled down immediately after to get Freddie Freeman to ground out to end the contest. It looks like the Rays went with purely a matchup decision here as Cleavinger faced a pair of left-handed batters after Manuel Rodríguez tossed a scoreless ninth inning in a tie ballgame. It’s likely Edwin Uceta was unavailable after recording four outs on 24 pitches during Thursday’s series opener.

Pete Fairbanks got the day off after pitching in two of the last three days. Cleavinger was summoned to close out Saturday’s game with a one-run lead against the Blue Jays. He struck out one batter in a clean frame on 14 pitches, earning his third save of the season.

It’s not yet clear how long the 30-year-old southpaw may be sidelined for. Manny Rodriguez was recalled from Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move to take his place in the Rays’ bullpen. Poche’s absence could lead to additional save chances for Jason Adam and Garrett Cleavinger while Pete Fairbanks is also shelved.