Rays Set to Deploy Closer-by-Committee Approach in 2026
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Tampa Bay Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander and manager Kevin Cash said the team intends to work with a closer-by-committee approach in 2026, per Evan Closky of 10 Tampa Bay News. Using multiple relievers in the ninth inning is something Cash has done with regularity in previous years, although veteran right-hander Pete Fairbanks logged 27 saves for Tampa Bay in 2025. However, Fairbanks signed with the Miami Marlins in free agency this past winter, and it does not appear as though the Rays intend to name a single successor for the closer role. Right-handers Edwin Uceta and Griffin Jax, as well as lefty Garrett Cleavinger, could be the most likely high-leverage relief candidates in Tampa Bay. Uceta racked up 103 strikeouts across 76 innings pitched for the Rays in 2025, while Jax recorded 10 saves for the Minnesota Twins in 2024. Cleavinger has eight saves over the past two seasons with Tampa Bay and might be the best lefty option Cash has at his disposal. Fantasy managers may see value from multiple different pieces of the Rays bullpen throughout 2026, but likely should not expect one dominant source of saves in Tampa Bay.–Will Brady
Source: 10 Tampa Bay News – Evan Closky