Niemann sent to Durham

ROGER MOONEY
rmooney@bradenton.com

ST. PETERSBURG – Rays manager Joe Maddon will announce his rotation after Saturday’s game with visiting Pittsburgh. The picture began to clear moments after first pitch when it was announced Jeff Niemann was optioned to Triple A Durham.

The 6-foot-9 right-hander was 2-0 in four appearances, three starts, with a 1.50 ERA.

“I felt I came in and threw the ball pretty well, but that’s how it goes,” Niemann said. “It was totally out of my hands.”

With Niemann gone and Scott Kazmir headed to the disabled list, the rotation will likely look like this: James Shields, Matt Garza, Edwin Jackson, Andy Sonnanstine and Jason Hammel.

J.P. Howell, who started against the Pirates on Saturday and allowed two runs in the first inning, will likely head to the bullpen.

Last year, Niemann came to camp intent on proving to the Rays that he was healthy.
This year he had a different goal.

“To show them that I can pitch in the major leagues,” he said.