- Rays closer Fernando Rodney saved the eighth and his seventh game for the Dominican Republic as the DR beat Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic Championship on Tuesday night. Rodney gave up just one hit in those seven scoreless performances.
- The starting rotation is starting to shape up. Pitching prospects Chris Archer and Jake Odorizzi were sent down to the minors last week, leaving Jeff Niemann and Roberto Hernandez contending for the number five starter spot. In his last two games, Hernandez has given up three runs (two earned) in each, along with eight strikeouts, one walk and eleven hits in nine innings. Meanwhile, Niemann has allowed one run in each of his last two games, along with six strikeouts, three walks and eight hits in eight innings of work. Niemann is currently in the lead but both pitchers ought to have a couple more starts of audition before the season starts.
If Jeff Niemann wins out, the Rays would continue an amazing streak of sticking strictly to homegrown talent in their rotation. According to Chris Cwik, the last time the Tampa Bay Rays used a free agent starter was eleven years ago. Roberto Hernandez would end that streak.
Whoever it is, they will join David Price, Matt Moore, Jeremy Hellickson, and Alex Cobb in the rotation.
- Evan Longoria (.387 with five doubles in eleven games) and Luke Scott (.375, three homers and four doubles in nine games) are hitting well this spring for the Rays. Infielders Kelly Johnson (.147 with ten strikeouts in 34 at bats) and Sean Rodriguez (.195, eleven strikeouts in 41 at bats) are not.
- The Rays are fortunate to continue to have a healthy roster with no key players injured. The only player dealing with any semblance of hurt is outfielder Sam Fuld, who is unlikely to get a bench spot anyway.
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