Garrett Cleavinger Joins Team USA Bullpen for WBC - and Dodger Fans Might Remember Why That Matters
The World Baseball Classic rosters are officially set, and there's a familiar name on Team USA’s pitching staff that might catch the eye of Dodger fans: Garrett Cleavinger. The left-hander, now with the Tampa Bay Rays, is heading to the international stage as part of a bullpen that’s stacked with high-octane arms - and he brings a little bit of Dodger blue history with him.
Cleavinger’s time in Los Angeles wasn’t long, but it was meaningful. He came over from the Phillies in a three-team deal late in 2020 - a trade that also involved the Rays, interestingly enough.
The Dodgers gave up minor league first baseman Dillon Paulson and a player to be named later to get him. By 2021, Cleavinger was contributing out of the bullpen for a 106-win Dodgers squad, logging 22 innings with a 3.00 ERA.
Solid numbers, especially for a guy still finding his footing in the big leagues.
But as is often the case with a team as deep as the Dodgers, roster crunches and trade deadlines lead to movement. In 2022, Cleavinger was dealt to Tampa Bay in exchange for outfielder German Tapia. That’s where things really started to click.
Since joining the Rays, Cleavinger has quietly become one of the more effective left-handed relievers in the game. Over four seasons in Tampa, he’s posted a 2.96 ERA and racked up 192 strikeouts across just 152 innings. That’s serious swing-and-miss stuff, and it’s the kind of production that earned him a spot on this year’s Team USA roster.
What makes Cleavinger’s inclusion even more important is the makeup of the bullpen. Right now, Team USA is heavy on right-handers - with guys like David Bednar, Mason Miller, and Clay Holmes already locked in.
That leaves Cleavinger and Seattle’s Gabe Speier as the only lefties in the group. In a tournament setting where matchups can swing entire games, having a reliable southpaw who can miss bats is a big deal.
And then there’s the wildcard: Clayton Kershaw. The Dodgers legend is also on the roster, though his role hasn’t been clearly defined just yet. Whether Kershaw is used as a starter, a veteran presence, or something in between, his presence adds another layer of intrigue to the pitching staff.
For Cleavinger, this WBC appearance is more than just a chance to represent his country - it’s a well-earned spotlight for a reliever who’s quietly built a strong resume. And for Dodger fans, it’s a reminder of a former arm who’s still out there doing work - just now on the international stage.
We’ll be watching closely to see how this bullpen takes shape - and how Cleavinger fits into what could be a key role for Team USA.