CLEVELAND -- The Rays set their roster Friday morning for this weekend’s American League Wild Card Series against the Guardians, carrying 14 position players and 12 pitchers into the best-of-three series.
There were no major surprises on the roster. Catcher Francisco Mejía returned from the paternity list, as expected, and lefty reliever Jalen Beeks was reinstated from the 15-day injured list to join a bullpen that recently lost left-hander Colin Poche to a right oblique strain.
Perhaps the most unexpected nod went to the versatile Vidal Bruján, although he can play a number of roles off the bench for the Rays as a speedy switch-hitter capable of playing just about anywhere in the infield and outfield. The last spot in the bullpen came down to right-handers JT Chargois and Javy Guerra, and it went to Guerra.
The Rays will use starter Shane McClanahan in Game 1 and Tyler Glasnow in Game 2 on Saturday afternoon. If the series goes to a Game 3 on Sunday, they would presumably lean on some combination of Jeffrey Springs and Drew Rasmussen, unless Rasmussen pitches Friday or Saturday. That makes Corey Kluber more of a situational option or long man out of the bullpen, which could prove necessary if a game goes to extra innings.
The Rays reinstated Beeks and Mejía before Friday’s opener, and they dropped catcher René Pinto and relievers JT Chargois, Jimmy Yacabonis and Josh Fleming. Pinto, Chargois and outfielder Josh Lowe are with the team as part of the taxi squad.
Here is Tampa Bay’s complete roster.
Catchers (2): Christian Bethancourt, Francisco Mejía
Infielders (7): Jonathan Aranda, Ji-Man Choi, Yandy Díaz, Wander Franco, Isaac Paredes, Harold Ramírez, Taylor Walls
Outfielders (4): Randy Arozarena, Manuel Margot, David Peralta, Jose Siri
Utility (1): Vidal Bruján
Pitchers (12): Jason Adam, Shawn Armstrong, Jalen Beeks, Garrett Cleavinger, Pete Fairbanks, Tyler Glasnow, Javy Guerra, Corey Kluber, Shane McClanahan, Brooks Raley, Drew Rasmussen, Jeffrey Springs