Cleavinger earned a save against the Red Sox on Thursday, striking out two batters in a perfect inning of work.
Cleavinger threw 15 of 19 pitches for strikes and recorded multiple punchouts for the first time since Aug. 14. The save was his second of September and his sixth overall this season. The last three Rays saves have been claimed by three different relievers, so it's clear that the team prefers a committee approach to the closer role.
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Rays' Garrett Cleavinger: Grabs fifth save
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Cleavinger earned the save in Tuesday's 2-1 victory over the Twins, retiring the lone batter he faced in the ninth inning.
Edwin Uceta originally got the call in the ninth inning, but he allowed a pair of singles to put the tying and go-ahead runs aboard. Cleavinger was then called upon with two outs to face Christian Vazquez, who he'd retire on just two pitches. It's the fifth save this year for Cleavinger, who had allowed five runs over his last three appearances (2.2 innings) coming into Tuesday. While Uceta and Manuel Rodriguez have been the Rays' top ninth-inning options in the absence of Pete Fairbanks (lat), the left-handed Cleavinger could see the occasional matchup-dependent save opportunity going forward.
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Rays' Garrett Cleavinger: Notches extra-inning save
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Cleavinger picked up the save in Saturday's extra-inning win over the Dodgers, surrendering one unearned run over one inning while not allowing any hits or walks.
Cleavinger got the call with a two-run lead in the bottom of the 10th and retired Shohei Ohtani in the first at-bat via a flyout, though Miguel Rojas was able to advance to third after tagging up. The left-handed reliever would then see Rojas come home on a sacrifice fly from Mookie Betts before getting Freddie Freeman to ground out for the final out of the contest. It marked Cleavinger's fourth save of the campaign and his first since May 18 against Toronto. He still appears to be third in line for save opportunities with Pete Fairbanks on the 15-day injured list due to a lat strain, behind Manuel Rodriguez, who got the win Saturday, and Edwin Uceta.
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Rays' Garrett Cleavinger: Picks up seventh win
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Cleavinger (7-2) struck out one without allowing a baserunner in a scoreless eighth inning to earn the win Sunday against the Reds.
Cleavinger entered with the Rays down 1-0 in the eighth inning and turned in his fifth consecutive clean outing. He's also picked up two wins in that span and should be locked into a high-leverage relief role after the departure of Jason Adam.
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Rays' Garrett Cleavinger: Notches third save
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Cleavinger struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Saturday to record his third save of the season in a 5-4 win over the Blue Jays.
Pete Fairbanks had pitched three of the prior four days and Jason Adam worked the eighth inning Saturday to collect his 10th hold, so closing duties fell to Cleavinger. The southpaw didn't disappoint, firing 11 of 14 pitches for strikes as he dispatched Toronto's 8-9-1 hitters. Cleavinger is the top lefty in the Tampa Bay bullpen, which will likely lead to other save chances as matchups dictate, but Fairbanks remains the primary high-leverage option for manager Kevin Cash. Through 18.2 innings this season, Cleavinger sports a 1.45 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 29:12 K:BB.
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Rays' Garrett Cleavinger: Records first career save
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Cleavinger threw a scoreless 10th inning with one strikeout against the Yankees on Saturday to earn his first career save.
After Jason Adam pitched a clean ninth to preserve a scoreless tie, Tampa Bay scored the game's only runs in the top of the 10th to create the save chance. It was the left-handed Cleavinger who got the call with Pete Fairbanks unavailable due to a stomach illness, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, and Cleavinger shut the door on 17 pitches (12 strikes). While Cleavinger battles fits of wildness, he also misses bats and may continue to see the occasional matchups-based opportunity with Fairbanks struggling in the ninth to begin the season. The 29-year-old Cleavinger already has three wins this season to go along with Saturday's save.
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Rays' Garrett Cleavinger: No restrictions in spring training
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Cleavinger (knee) will not have any restrictions during spring training, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Cleavinger had ACL and meniscus surgery on his right knee last May but has made a full recovery. The left-hander boasts a 2.64 ERA and 39:10 K:BB over 30.2 innings during his time with the Rays and should work his way back into a high-leverage bullpen role.
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Rays' Garrett Cleavinger: Should be healthy for spring
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Cleavinger, who underwent surgery May 17 to repair a torn ACL and meniscus in his right knee, is expected to be fully healthy in advance of spring training, MLB.com reports.
After injuring his knee in a May 7 relief appearance, Cleavinger was diagnosed with a torn ACL a day later, but he wasn't revealed to have suffered any meniscus damage at that time. He ultimately required a surgical fix for both knee issues, but his recovery timeline shouldn't be affected in any dramatic way. If back to 100 percent next spring training as anticipated, Cleavinger will be vying for a high-leverage role in the Tampa Bay bullpen.
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Rays' Garrett Cleavinger: Transferred to 60-day IL
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Cleavinger was transferred to the 60-day injured list by the Rays on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for waiver claim Zack Littell. Cleavinger is likely done for the season after tearing his right ACL last weekend.
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Rays' Garrett Cleavinger: Diagnosed with torn ACL
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Cleavinger (knee), who was placed on the 15-day injured list earlier Monday, is likely to miss the rest of the season after being diagnosed with a torn right ACL, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Cleavinger hurt his knee when he collided with the Yankees' Aaron Hicks during Sunday's game, and an MRI has evidently revealed a worst-case scenario. It's a bummer for Cleavinger and a blow to the Rays bullpen, as the left-hander boasts a 2.64 ERA and 39:10 K:BB over 30.2 innings since joining Tampa Bay's relief corps last season.
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Rays' Garrett Cleavinger: Placed on IL
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Cleavinger was placed on the 15-day injured list by the Rays on Monday with a right knee sprain, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
The severity of the sprain isn't clear, but the injury will cost Cleavinger at least a couple weeks of action. He was hurt during Sunday's game versus the Yankees when he tripped over Aaron Hicks' leg during a rundown. Trevor Kelley is taking Cleavinger's spot on the roster and in the bullpen.
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Rays' Garrett Cleavinger: Headed to IL with knee injury
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Cleavinger is likely headed to the injured list after being removed from Sunday's appearance versus the Yankees due to a right knee injury, Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Cleavinger hurt himself when he tripped over Aaron Hicks' leg while trying to tag him during a rundown in the 10th inning. Rays manager Kevin Cash said after the contest that he didn't have an update on the reliever's condition other than it would "likely" result in a trip to the IL. Cleavinger holds a 3.00 ERA and 14:6 K:BB over 12 innings this season.
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Rays' Garrett Cleavinger: Set for key role in bullpen
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Cleavinger is expected to secure a high-leverage role in the Rays' bullpen in 2023, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.
Cleavinger spent the 2022 season with both the Dodgers and Rays, though he got his most consistent chances in the major leagues with Tampa Bay. He responded by delivering a 3.91 ERA and 0.91 WHIP, while also maintaining an impressive 32:7 K:BB across 23 frames. Cleavinger isn't projected to immediately factor into the mix for saves, though he could pitch in the ninth inning when the opposition has a lefty-heavy portion of their lineup due to hit.
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Rays' Garrett Cleavinger: Recalled by Rays
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Cleavinger was recalled from Triple-A Durham on Saturday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.
Cleavinger was traded from the Dodgers to the Rays at the beginning of August, and he posted a 1.00 ERA and 0.56 WHIP in nine innings over nine relief appearances at Durham over the last several weeks. The southpaw should serve mainly as a middle reliever with the major-league club.
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Rays' Garrett Cleavinger: Headed to Tampa Bay
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The Rays acquired Cleavinger from the Dodgers on Monday in exchange for minor-league outfielder German Tapia, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Cleavinger, a 28-year-old lefty reliever has made four appearances for the Dodgers this season but has otherwise spent most of the campaign at Triple-A Oklahoma City, with whom he's generated a 2.79 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 47:17 K:BB across 29 innings. The Rays could give him a look out of their bullpen at some point in the second half, but for the time being, he'll report to Triple-A Durham with his new organization.
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Dodgers' Garrett Cleavinger: Sent back to minors
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The Dodgers optioned Cleavinger to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday.
Cleavinger's demotion comes after he imploded in Tuesday's 8-3 loss to the Nationals while failing to protect a 3-2 lead in the top of the eighth inning. The lefty needed 36 pitches to record five outs and was charged with six runs (four earned) on three hits, a walk and a hit batsmen en route to taking the loss. The Dodgers called up Jake Reed from Triple-A to provide the team with a fresh option out of the bullpen for Wednesday's series finale.
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Dodgers' Garrett Cleavinger: Called up from Triple-A
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Cleavinger was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Cleavinger hasn't pitched in the majors since mid-May but will rejoin the Dodgers early in the second half of the season. The 28-year-old has pitched well at Triple-A this year, posting a 2.79 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 47:17 K:BB across 29 innings.
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Dodgers' Garrett Cleavinger: Returns to minors
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Cleavinger was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.
The 28-year-old was promoted Friday when Clayton Kershaw (pelvis) was placed on the injured list and will return to the minors after firing a scoreless inning Saturday. Cleavinger has given up one run with a 4:2 K:BB over 2.2 frames in the majors this season.
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Dodgers' Garrett Cleavinger: Rejoins big club
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Cleavinger was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday.
The 28-year-old was demoted to Triple-A at the start of May but will return to the majors with Clayton Kershaw (hip) landing on the injured list. Cleavinger had a 3.00 ERA, 1.78 WHIP and 21:12 K:BB over 18 innings for the Dodgers in 2021, and he's allowed one run over 1.2 frames through two outings this season.
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Dodgers' Garrett Cleavinger: Sent to Triple-A
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Cleavinger was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.
Cleavinger has two appearances for the Dodgers this season and has given up one earned run on three hits with two strikeouts and two walks over 1.2 innings. He'll head back to the minors with Tommy Kahnle (elbow) being activated from the 10-day injured list Sunday.
