With an off-day on the horizon Monday, the Rays have not set their rotation past Sunday. But don’t expect a lot of change, particularly where the rookie pitchers are concerned.

Currently, the rotation includes rookies Jeff Niemann, Wade Davis and David Price, but Rays manager Joe Maddon doesn’t believe any of them will be shut down before the end of the season.

“We’re OK with all three right now,” Maddon said. “They’re all on the border, on the top side of the borderline, so we can, but we’re not overtly concerned right now.”

Davis has thrown a total of 168 1/3 innings, Niemann 165 2/3, and Price 144.


Click here to read the full article – By Bill Chastain of MLB.com

Tampa Bay Devil Rays Sports Memorabilia
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It’s still only a few months into his rookie season, yet so much has changed for Jeff Niemann since the last time he took the mound in Seattle.

It was late April and a milestone of sorts for the 26-year-old right-hander: his first win of what has been a remarkable first full season. Few thought at the time he’d be the leading American League Rookie of the Year candidate and the Rays’ leader in wins by August.

He’s blossomed from a fringe Spring Training hanger-on into a bona fide rotation stabilizer for Tampa Bay this season, first on the team in wins (10) and ERA (3.65) and third in innings pitched (114 1/3). And Rays manager Joe Maddon has noticed a definitive difference in his demeanor over the past two months.

Click here to read the full article – By Zach Schonbrun of MLB.com

Tampa Bay Devil Rays Sports Memorabilia
and other Tampa Bay Devil Rays Autographs
Below are links to memorabilia available for Jeff Niemann.

The Rays got the timely hits, and a little home-field advantage, to back rookie starter Jeff Niemann, who hurled his second career shutout in a 6-0 win. Niemann outpitched fellow rookie Vin Mazzaro, who lost his fifth straight decision.

It was an inauspicious start to what turned into a rough evening for Oakland. And the A’s can add their names to a long list of those victimized by the white dome of Tropicana Field. The foul popup by Tampa Bay leadoff hitter B.J. Upton that bounced among three Oakland players midway down the first-base line wasn’t necessarily a crucial moment in Friday’s game. But it wasn’t exactly the best way to start a series, either.

Click here to read the full article – By Zach Schonbrun of MLB.com

Tampa Bay Rays Memorabilia
and other Tampa Bay Rays Gifts and Collectibles
Below are links to memorabilia available for Jeff Niemann.