Rays add Alvarado, Fleming to ALCS roster

With the potential of seven games in seven nights, the Rays will enter the American League Championship Series showdown against the Astros with 14 pitchers. Tampa Bay carried 13 pitchers in each of the first two rounds of the postseason.

The two key additions are left-handers Josh Fleming, who went 5-0 with a 2.78 ERA in seven appearances (five starts) this season, and reliever José Alvarado, who has been sidelined since Aug. 15 with a back/lat strain.

Game	Date	Result	Highlights
Gm 1	Oct. 11	TB 2, HOU 1	Watch
Gm 2	Oct. 12	TB 4, HOU 2	Watch
Gm 3	Oct. 13	TB 5, HOU 2	Watch
Gm 4	Oct. 14	HOU 4, TB 3	Watch
Gm 5	Oct. 15	HOU 4, TB 3	Watch
Gm 6	Oct. 16	HOU 7, TB 4	Watch
Gm 7	Oct. 17	TB 4, HOU 2	Watch

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Fleming hasn’t pitched since the regular-season finale on Sept. 27 against the Phillies, but the left-hander has participated in simulated games during workout days. Depending on how the series goes, Fleming could be used in many different ways. He could be a multi-inning reliever or he could serve as either a starter or the bulk guy behind an opener.

“We knew that we wanted to add a pitcher to the roster, given the chance of seven games in seven consecutive days,” said Rays manager Kevin Cash. “Not sure exactly how Flem’s role will shake out in all of this. A lot of it will depend on how guys are bouncing back.”

Alvarado, who was one of the best relievers in the AL in 2018, has struggled with his command and to stay healthy over the past two seasons. In nine appearances this season, Alvarado finished with a 6.00 ERA, but a lot of the damage came on Aug. 14 against the Blue Jays, when he allowed four runs and recorded just two outs. That was the last appearance Alvarado made before being placed on the 45-day injured list.

Despite some of the struggles, Alvarado possesses a sinker that averaged 98.1 mph in 2019. Alvarado said he feels healthy and has looked sharp during his live batting practice sessions. The left-hander said he lost 21 pounds during his rehab, crediting that to a new diet that has him eating more salads and fewer arepas, a popular Venezuelan food.

“Right now when I faced the hitters in the simulated games, I saw my power, my velocity, my command and all pitches,” Alvarado said. “My mentality is positive every day, and I’m very happy. I’m very happy because a lot of stuff changed my life.”

With the additions of Fleming and Alvarado, Tampa Bay has five left-handed options on the roster.

“[Alvarado] has done a lot of good things on the field for us,” Cash said. “Off the field, I think he has taken, overall, a more mature approach in terms of how he goes about things and the work he puts in on the days he’s not pitching. Talking to him, it seems like he’s in a good physical spot, and he’s in a good headspace to come in there and help us win games.”

Outfielder Brett Phillips and right-hander Trevor Richards were left off the roster in order to make room for Fleming and Alvarado. Richards replaced Oliver Drake on the AL Division Series roster, but he didn’t get in a game against the Yankees. Phillips has provided the Rays with good defense at multiple positions in the outfield, as well as a speedy threat on the bases. Without Phillips on the roster, Tampa Bay will count on Manuel Margot to be the backup center fielder behind Kevin Kiermaier.

To make room on the 40-man roster, Drake was designated for assignment.

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): Mike Zunino, Michael Perez

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