ST. PETERSBURG -- On Saturday morning, the Rays set their roster for the American League Division Series, including 14 position players, 12 pitchers and no real surprises.
The Rays will face the Yankees with the same 14 hitters who finished the regular season on the active roster. There had been some debate about whether they would add third catcher Kenny Piper to increase their pinch-hitting and pinch-running flexibility, but they opted for a more balanced roster.
With up to three off-days in the series, the ALDS only requires a three-man rotation, but as expected, the Rays will move forward with all five starters on their roster.
Manager Kevin Cash has declined to set their rotation beyond Drew Rasmussen in Game 1 on Saturday night, but he has said the Rays intend to use all five of Rasmussen, Freddy Peralta, Nick Martinez, Griffin Jax and Ian Seymour in some role.
That left the bullpen as the only group in question, and a return to health from setup man Tyler Wells and left-hander Garrett Cleavinger made those decisions easier.
“I felt like seeing both of those guys pitch in our scrimmages Tuesday and Thursday, their strike-throwing was very consistent [like] when they're at their best,” Cash said. “The velocities were very in line and they both [gave the] thumbs-up like [they’re in] good health. So that made that decision that [much] more comforting.”
Wells and Cleavinger will join closer Bryan Baker, setup men Kevin Kelly and Cam Booser and versatile veterans Cole Sulser and Steven Matz in a seven-man bullpen augmented by whichever starters are available in relief.
The most notable omissions are hard-throwing prospect Brody Hopkins and right-handers Manuel Rodríguez and Casey Legumina. In Sulser and Matz, the Rays prioritized veteran pitchers who can work in short relief or multi-inning roles, and they clearly loaded up their staff to counter the Yankees’ heavily left-handed lineup.
“Casey Legumina not being on the roster, [he’s] a guy that massively contributed to the bullpen efforts this year. Those are tough conversations,” Cash said. “But we're going to keep those guys that were right on the bubble very much ready and in play if needed.”
Here is a look at the Rays’ complete ALDS roster.
Pitchers (12): Drew Rasmussen, Freddy Peralta, Nick Martinez, Griffin Jax, Ian Seymour, Bryan Baker, Tyler Wells, Kevin Kelly, Cam Booser, Garrett Cleavinger, Cole Sulser, Steven Matz
Catchers (2): Liam Hicks, Nick Fortes
Infielders: (6): Jonathan Aranda, Richie Palacios, Taylor Walls, Junior Caminero, Ben Williamson, Jorge Mateo
Outfielders (5): Chandler Simpson, Cedric Mullins, Victor Mesa Jr., Jonny DeLuca, Ryan Vilade
Designated hitter (1): Yandy Díaz