Tampa Bay Rays Bringing in Veteran to Help Bullpen

The Tampa Bay Rays, who lost reliever Garrett Cleavinger to an ACL injury on Sunday, are on the verge of signing veteran lefty Jake Diekman, per a report from ESPN.

After losing left-handed reliever Garrett Cleavinger to an ACL injury on Sunday, the Tampa Bay Rays are on the verge of bringing in veteran left-hander Jake Diekman.

ESPN MLB reporter Jeff Passan tweeted the news on Tuesday afternoon:

"Left-hander Jake Diekman and the Tampa Bay Rays are finalizing a major league deal, sources tell ESPN. Diekman, 36, was DFA’d by the Chicago White Sox and would replace Garrett Cleavinger — who hurt his right ACL on Sunday — in the Rays’ bullpen. Should be done in next 48 hours."

Left-hander Jake Diekman and the Tampa Bay Rays are finalizing a major league deal, sources tell ESPN. Diekman, 36, was DFA’d by the Chicago White Sox and would replace Garrett Cleavinger — who hurt his right ACL on Sunday — in the Rays’ bullpen. Should be done in next 48 hours.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) May 9, 2023

Diekman has struggled over the last two years but was previously an excellent relief option. He had a 7.94 ERA with the White Sox this season before being DFA'd and pitched to a 4.99 ERA a season ago with the White Sox and Red Sox in 70 games.

Diekman, 36, has bounced around the big leagues. He spent part of four years with the Philadelphia Phillies before spending part of four years with the Texas Rangers. He spent part of one year with both the Arizona Diamondbacks and Kansas City Royals before a 2.5 year run with the Oakland Athletics.

He then spent part of one year in Boston before parts of the last two with the White Sox.

For his career, he's 25-30 with a 3.96 ERA. He owns an impressive 11.5 k/9.

As for Cleavinger, he is 1-0 this year in 15 games. He's got an ERA of 3.00. He made his major league debut in 2020 with the Phillies and spent 2021 and part of 2022 with the Dodgers before coming to the Rays.

Tampa Bay is out to a historic 29-7 start this season and will play the Orioles tonight at 6:35 p.m. ET.

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