The Tampa Bay Rays added rookie right-hander Brody Hopkins to their AL Championship Series roster and dropped lefty Garrett Cleavinger. The Cleveland Guardians added right-hander Slade Cecconi, who replaces utilityman Daniel Schneemann. The Rays made no other changes to their 26-man roster ahead of Game 1 Monday night against the Guardians.
The AL East champions are carrying 14 hitters and 12 pitchers again in this round, after sweeping the New York Yankees in the best-of-five division series. The Guardians are carrying 13 pitchers after going to five games against the Chicago White Sox before advancing on Saturday night.
Cecconi was 5-7 with a 4.91 ERA in 28 games, including 21 starts. He moved to the bullpen in August and posted a 5.93 ERA in 13⅔ innings. Hopkins had seven strikeouts in 5⅓ innings in six appearances this season but also walked six and posted a 5.06 ERA. He made his major league debut on Sept. 13.
Cleavinger had a 4.79 ERA in 41⅓ innings over 51 appearances. He did not pitch in the ALDS against the Yankees.
Source: ESPN MLB · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing