Guardians and Rays each make one switch for ALCS rosters

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.

Key points

• Cecconi was 5-7 with a 4.91 ERA in 28 games, including 21 starts.
• The Rays created no other changes to their 26-man roster ahead of Game 1 Monday night against the Guardians.
• The Guardians are carrying 13 pitchers after going to five games against the Chicago White Sox before advancing on Saturday night.
• Hopkins had seven strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings in six appearances this season but additionally walked six and posted a 5.06 ERA.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) – The Tampa Bay Rays continued rookie right-hander Brody Hopkins to their AL Championship Series roster and dropped lefty Garrett Cleavinger while the Cleveland Guardians went on right-hander Slade Cecconi.

Notably, the Rays created no other changes to their 26-man roster ahead of Game 1 Monday night against the Guardians. The AL East champions are carrying 14 hitters and 12 pitchers again in this round after sweeping the New York Yankees in the best-of-five Division Series.

For context, the Guardians are carrying 13 pitchers after going to five games against the Chicago White Sox before advancing on Saturday night. Cecconi replaces utilityman Daniel Schneemann.

Cecconi was 5-7 with a 4.91 ERA in 28 games, including 21 starts. He moved to the bullpen in August and posted a 5.93 ERA in 13 2/3 innings.

Hopkins had seven strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings in six appearances this season but additionally walked six and posted a 5.06 ERA. He created his major league debut on Sept. 13. Cleavinger had a 4.79 ERA in 41 1/3 innings over 51 appearances. He didn't pitch in the ALDS vs. The Yankees. Pitcher Cecconi will replace utilityman Daniel Schneemann. See AP's full MLB coverage here.

In short, guardians and Rays each make one switch for ALCS rosters is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.