Outside of closer David Bednar, there is a good amount of uncertainty in the New York Yankees bullpen.
Camilo Doval has nasty stuff, but command is an issue. The same can be said about Fernando Cruz, and the re-signing of Paul Blackburn is a depth move at best.
The Yankees and manager Aaron Boone need at least a few more relief arms, and The Athletic's Chris Kirschner reports they have shown interest in a left-hander from the AL East.
"The Tampa Bay Rays have also made several trades this offseason, and it’s worth checking in on left-hander Garrett Cleavinger’s availability," Kirschner wrote. "The Yankees have had previous interest in him, and Cleavinger’s 33 percent strikeout percentage would give New York another pitcher who could miss bats."
Cleavinger posted a career low 2.35 ERA and struck out a career high 82 hitters in 61.1 innings with the Rays in 2025.
Cleavinger will play for Team USA in the WBC
Cleavinger committed to the World Baseball Classic last week and will suit up for the United States. He's not the most well-known pitcher on the unfinished roster, but is well deserving of a spot.
Perhaps Yankees right fielder and captain of Team USA, Aaron Judge, can do some scouting on Cleavinger while he's his teammate.
Left-handed relievers on New York's 40-man roster include Brent Headrick, Tim Hill, Ryan Yarbrough, and Jayvien Sandridge, and all four do not throw particularly hard. Cleavinger's average fastball velocity this past season was 96.5 mph.
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