The Rays have added LHP José Alvarado and LHP Josh Fleming to the ALCS roster, bringing a high leverage reliever back from the injured list and a potential starter for Game 5.
From the most recent ALDS roster, OF Brett Phillips and RHP Trevor Richards did not make the ALCS roster, but remain in the 60-man postseason eligible player pool.
As discussed on the podcast this morning, the Rays were likely to remove an outfielder for this series due to the seven game schedule with no off days.
To make room for Alvarado on the 40-man roster, RHP Oliver Drake has been designated for assignment. Drake had previously been removed from the roster due to injury, and was not expected to be retained on the 40-man roster by the Rays in the offseason.
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PITCHERS (14): LHP José Alvarado, RHP Nick Anderson, RHP Diego Castillo, RHP John Curtiss, RHP Pete Fairbanks, LHP Josh Fleming, RHP Tyler Glasnow, LHP Aaron Loup, LHP Shane McClanahan, RHP Charlie Morton, RHP Aaron Slegers, LHP Blake Snell, RHP Ryan Thompson, LHP Ryan Yarbrough
CATCHERS (2): Michael Perez, Mike Zunino
INFIELDERS (6): Willy Adames, Mike Brosseau, Ji-Man Choi, Yandy Díaz, Brandon Lowe, Joey Wendle
OUTFIELDERS (6): Randy Arozarena, Kevin Kiermaier, Manuel Margot, Austin Meadows, Hunter Renfroe, Yoshi Tsutsugo
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With the Astros rolling out a left-handed starter, the Rays are bringing many right handed hitters into the line up for Game 1, including OF Hunter Renfroe who survived whose offense trumped Phillips’s defense in the roster construction for the coming series.
ALCS Game 1 https://t.co/7rxhxEf5Iq pic.twitter.com/efhq3Z7lkj
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) October 11, 2020
Renfroe previously launched a grand slam in the opening series against the Blue Jays. Let’s hope he can do the same tonight!