The Tampa Bay Rays announced on Monday that their reliever Garrett Cleavinger landed on the 15-day injured list with a knee injury. This is another injury blow for the Rays, who are already down multiple key bullpen contributors, including All-Star Andrew Kittredge and veterans Shawn Armstrong and Jeffrey Springs.
While Cleavinger has been placed on IL with knee strain designation, the injury is a lot more serious than that. According to Tampa’s manager Kevin Cash, Cleavinger appears to have suffered an ACL tear and might not return in 2023.
In a corresponding move, the Rays added right-hand pitcher Trevor Kelley from Triple-A Durham to their active roster.
The Tampa Bay Rays currently have the best record in the MLB at 29-7 and have won eight out of their last 10 games despite the injuries.
“The guys down there have done a good job kind of holding the fort down, knowing that we’re battling through some injuries,” Cash told the reporters on Monday. “This one is a little different in the fact that there’s not too much optimism to get him back any time soon.”
Garrett Cleavinger has been a key player for Ray’s bullpen so far in 2023. He played in 15 games and has a 1-0 record with a 3.00 ERA and 14 strikeouts.
